The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

This sequel to 2012's The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel begins with exuberant hotel proprietor Sonny Kapoor (Dev Patel) and resident-turned-partner Muriel Donnelly (Maggie Smith) in San Diego, busily pitching a company called Evergreen for financing to expand the residential facilities. Meanwhile in India, several romantic narrative threads are afoot: elaborate plans are underway for Sonny's marriage to Sunaina (Tena Desae); enterprising Evelyn (Judi Dench)—now a successful textiles buyer—is ardently pursued by shy, lovelorn Douglas (Bill Nighy), who has become Jaipur's most inept tour guide; and affection-starved Madge (Celia Imrie) is torn between two wealthy lovers, while Norman (Ronald Pickup) is trying to stabilize his relationship with Carol (Diana Hardcastle). Plus, there are two new guests: Lavinia Beach (Tamsin Greig) says she's checking out the facilities as a retirement home for her mother, while Guy Chambers (Richard Gere) claims to be a novelist. Ambitious, entrepreneurial Sonny suspects that Guy is really an inspector sent by Evergreen—and when Guy starts courting Sonny's widowed mother (Lillete Dubey), chaos reigns. Expanding on Deborah Moggach's original novel about financially-challenged British pensioners who have “outsourced” their remaining retirement years, filmmaker John Madden's follow-up juggles diverse characters with somewhat contrived storylines, while serving up picturesque glimpses of colorful Indian culture, culminating in a gloriously pseudo-Bollywood dance spectacle. As usual, Smith has the best lines, uttering succinct put-downs like, “Just because I'm looking at you when you talk, don't think I'm listening—or even interested.” An amicable, feel-good diversion for the underrepresented senior demographic, this is recommended. [Note: DVD/Blu-ray extras include production featurettes on the “Cast” (4 min.), “Story” (3 min.), “Returning to the Marigold Hotel” (3 min.), “Blossoming Romance” (3 min.), “The Marigold Wedding” (3 min.), and “Filming in India” (3 min.), a photo gallery, and trailers. Exclusive to the Blu-ray release are bonus digital and UltraViolet copies of the film. Bottom line: a solid extras package for a winning sequel.] (S. Granger)