Movie Review: The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel  

Now here’s a feel-good film you can take the whole family to! Sequel to “The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel,” this movie stars a spectacular cast including Judi Dench, Maggie Smith, Evelyn Greenslade, and of course, Dev Patel, to name a few. Sonny Kapoor (Dev Patel) and his co-manager Muriel Donnelly (Maggie Smith) dream of expanding their hotel – currently inhabited by British retirees.  They are faced with many obstacles as they eagerly try to plan their business. The movie revolves around the lives of the Exotic Marigold Hotel residents and how they find friendship and love in one another…especially as they prepare for Sonny’s big Indian wedding.

The positives:

1. You do NOT have to see the first prequel to understand this movie.

2. Dev Patel and Tina Desai look really good on screen together.

3. Do you watch the tv show Downton Abbey? Watch this movie if you’re a fan of the characters “Granny” and  â€œIsobel Crawley”!

4. Two words: Richard Gere. (yes, he’s actually 65).

The negatives:

1.      Dev Patel’s comments are cringe-worthy in the beginning.. but it will grow on you..

2.      They only song-dance number is to.. “Jhoom Barabar.” Although it was a hit in  2007, I think they could’ve picked a newer song for the wedding dance.

3.      The movie was slow-paced at times. If you don’t like a movie about “the elderly” this one isn’t for you.

On the whole, this movie is a light-hearted film to watch with family!

Acting: 4/5
Story: 3/5
Costumes: 3/5
Choreography: 2/5
Sets/Filming Location: 4/5
Songs: 3/5
Eye Candy: 4/5
Length of Movie: 2/5
Overall: *** (3/5) or 6/10

Key:
* = flop, don’t even bother
** = time pass, you’ll live if you don’t see it
*** = worth a watch
**** = A hit, see it in the theater!
***** = Bollywood Blockbuster

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