Jack Goes Confidential: ‘The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel’—Is Just That,

2011’s BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL was a real charmer!

It brought out the Medicare crowd in droves. It also had what the industry calls legs. Translation: The film didn’t burn out at the box office after just a couple of weeks. Instead it just kept on playing and playing and playing.

And that was something really unusual!

The audience demographics turned younger the longer the movie played and word of mouth was definitely on its side.

Now for the sequel most of the primarily British cast is back including Judi Dench, Bill Nighy, Maggie Smith and Dev Patel as Sonny, the hotel’s proprietor. Adding American flavoring are Richard Gere and David Strathairn.

You’ll recall that the Marigold Hotel had become more or less a retirement home for various Brits who chose the old Indian hotel for its low cost living expenses. The pound obviously went much further there then it did back home.

Well the Marigold is doing brisk business these days prompting Sonny to think expansion. Specifically taking on and renovating a run down palace just down the street. And he’s pitching the financing to a hotel magnate (Strathairn) in the U.S.

Will Sonny pass the stringent evaluation and be rewarded with ownership of THE SECOND BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL?

That ultimately would depend on secret hotel inspector Richard Gere.

And so it goes. Plenty of subplots and romantic diversions in all directions. All climaxing with one of those great, big Bollywood-like production numbers celebrating Sonny’s wedding at the new hotel.

So far. So good.

What this sequel lacks is the charm, warmth and magic of the original film. This one felt like…..well like they were just trying too hard. It didn’t flow as smoothly and as freely as the first one did. Its sentimentality seemed forced. And worst of all, I kept checking my watch far too often during the comedy-drama’s two hour running time.

So if you saw and enjoyed the predecessor, keep your expectations in check for this sequel.

THE SECOND BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL scores a C.