Invaderbank
The film creates a perfect balance between action and depth of basic needs, in the midst of an infertile atmosphere.
Dirtylogy
It's funny, it's tense, it features two great performances from two actors and the director expertly creates a web of odd tension where you actually don't know what is happening for the majority of the run time.
Nayan Gough
A great movie, one of the best of this year. There was a bit of confusion at one point in the plot, but nothing serious.
sergelamarche
With a top cast, the whole thing was charming but oh so formula and goody. I lost interest in the characters mid-way and could not go back. The subject matter seemed so artificially pumping up India for old people. I couldn't imagine any of these people genuinely interested in living in India.
l_rawjalaurence
The sequel to THE BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL (2011) contains some familiar cinematic stereotypes about India: the extraordinarily bright light; the teeming streets; the slightly comic citizens who agree with the British yet pursue their own lives; and the colorful dance sequences and wedding ceremony straight out of SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE (2008). The star is the same as well: Dev Patel has a leading role in both films.Yet John Madden's film still retains a certain charm of its own. This is partly due to the sharp script (by Ol Parker) that gives a fair proportion of acerbic one-liners to Muriel Donnelly (Maggie Smith). Smith has always had a penchant for delivering such material effectively dating right back to her early career at the National Theatre in the mid-Sixties. There are also some delightful cameos from Ronald Pickup as a randy pensioner discovering to his cost that his long-time partner (Diana Hardcastle) is equally as sexually adventurous as himself; and David Strathairn as an American tycoon much taken with Mrs. Donnelly's down-to-earth negotiating style.The film is multi-plotted, encompassing two will-they-won't-they romances between Sonny (Patel), Sunaina (Tina Desai), and Evelyn (Judi Dench) and Douglas (Bill Nighy). We know perfectly well that both will end happily, but it's rather fun to see how they get there, with Sonny having to overcome his pathological jealousy of Kushal (Shazad Latif), and Douglas dealing with his vindictive wife Jean (Penelope Wilton).Throughout the action there is always the persistent presence of death; that this group of pensioners having such a wonderful time will soon be broken up. The film has a tragi-comic ending, which perhaps takes longer than it should to unfold (rather too many dance-sequences intercut with long close-ups of one actor), but eventually we understand how and why the hotel has become such a success, giving people the chance to flourish rather than to fester away in some anonymous looking retirement home.
d-nicol6444
I found this film lively and exciting. The plot was intricate enough to surprise with its next denouement. It was very well cast except for Tamsin Greig whom I just can't warm to. To me she is always the fly in the ointment. Black Books was great but her frequent pointless appearances were irritating and annoying. I don't like her looks, her voice, and her attempts to be 'cutesy'. Most people would disagree with me. That doesn't bother me. Maggie Smith, on the other hand, was a brilliant choice. She seemed to enter the role with enthusiasm and enjoyment. Her performances get better with every new role. And 'they' say that older women don't get good roles. She is proof that this is not true. I've followed Bill Nighy's career since its beginning. His particular characteristics, e.g. snorting when he laughs, his loping walk, his facial and vocal expressions are masterly. I've watched the Marigold Hotel films many times, each time enjoying them afresh. Sunni is beyond excellent. Having been to India I did not find the film's portrayal of this vibrant country accurate. The perpetual music became monotonous and intrusive. I never heard music like that when I was there, only 5 years ago.
Paul Evans
I have such a huge affection for the first film, it's so warm, captivating and funny. The follow up had huge shoes to fill, and for the most part it does. I founds the first thirty minutes a little pedestrian, but after that it opened up and turned into a beautiful film. It's very emotionally charged, puts you in a hugely reflective state and really draws you in. It terms of acting it was never going to fail was it? There is a host of stellar acting going on, Maggie, Judi, Celia etc are all glorious, but this time I was hooked on Bill Nighy's character, he's just fabulous.I applaud this film for capitalising on the more mature acting talents out there, even though the second offering focuses slightly more on the youngsters, who are also brilliant, fans of Toast of London will recognise Clem Fandango!!An excellent film that makes me desperate for a third. BTW Richard Gere has no right to still be that handsome!9/10
