The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel is finally out! John Madden’s golden bunch is back and they’re up to…. not much actually. I’ve been waiting for a long time to see that sequel, ever since the end of the first one. But to answer your question, no, this is not the sequel that will break the “sequels are not as good as the originals” stereotype.
I’d rather start by being blunt and honest, this sequel was unnecessary. Most of the plot feels forced, many of the choices made by the characters are ridiculous, incomprehensible or don’t make any sense, and I have to admit that at times I felt very frustrated or just bored. To top everything else, it’s also very predictable. Seriously, don’t tell me you didn’t expect the wedding to go just as planned, or Bill Nighy and Judi Dench to get together, or Sonny to find some way to have a second hotel.
Why did I feel so frustrated? Well, because I love those characters very much, and I didn’t recognize them at all in The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. From what I remembered, all those characters, and especially Sonny, weren’t THAT annoying. With the exception of Maggie Smith’s character, the reality check we all need, I couldn’t find the little something that made me love them so much in the first movie. It probably has to do with the fact that this sequel is built around the wedding’s and Maggie Smith’s storylines, and all the rest served as time fillers. Plus, they could have done it without Penelope Wilton, I swear I didn’t need to see her in here again. A simple phone call would have been enough.
All of this being said, and against all odds, I still enjoyed myself very much. Seeing those characters all together once again put a huge smile on my face from the very moment the movie started. I also love the “Bollywood” aesthetic linked to this very British film. The colors, the outfits, the sets… and that wedding! Everything is beautiful and full of life, I just want to live in that movie. For a moment, I forgot I was in London and that it was pouring outside.
The cast is still amazing, but it’s nothing surprising coming from this bunch of A-list actors. In addition, two new characters were introduced, portrayed by Richard Gere and Tamsin Greig. While I really didn’t care much about Greig’s character, I enjoyed seeing Gere in that kind of movie. We haven’t seen him in anything noticeable in the last few years, and when someone talks about Richard Gere, the first thing that comes in mind is Pretty Woman (or maybe that’s just me). But it’s true that he’s older now, and his character is a nice reminder of the kind of actor he is, full of charm and damn skilled. He really has still got it.
The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel is also a movie about life, adventure, and friendship. This sequel brings validation to the characters, they found a new life and a new meaning in the first one, and it came with its share of stress and doubt, but now they’re finally able to let it go and enjoy life without worries. You can live your life to the fullest, at any age, anytime, anywhere. I quite like that, it’s simple, but it’s a nice message to a nice film.
The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel is fun to see if you’ve seen the first one and liked it like I did. It’s a very nice ending to these characters’ stories and it will definitely bring a smile to your face, no matter what (even when it gets really ridiculous). And if you’re really not convinced, just take a look at the cast list, you can’t miss that right?
Rating: 3/5
Check out more of Margaux’s Most Anticipated Movies of 2015!
SHARE:
