The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

Have I mentioned before that I love comedies? So much of the time, comedies have become vehicles of vulgarity, silliness and stupidity. So why would I bother seeing the likes of "The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel"? Because like its predecessor, this is a formidable, endearing film that has got to bring a smile on even the worst cynic's face. Comedies should not have to grab one by the juggler with expletives and toilet humor and force its audience to laugh, but rather cause the audience to laugh effortlessly.

The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel is the expansionist dream of Sonny Kapoor (Dev Patel) and it's making claims on his time than he has available, considering his imminent marriage to the love of his life, Sunaina (Tina Desai). Sonny has his eye on a promising property now that his first venture, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel for the Elderly and Beautiful, has only a single remaining vacancy-- posing a rooming predicament for fresh arrivals Guy (Richard Gere) and Lavinia (Tasmin Greig). Evelyn and Douglas (Judi Dench and Bill Nighy) have now joined the Jaipur workforce, and are wondering where their regular dates for Chilla pancakes will lead, while Norman and Carol (Ronald Pickup and Diana Hardcastle) are negotiating the tricky waters of an exclusive relationship, as Madge (Celia Imrie) juggles two eligible and very wealthy suitors. Perhaps the only one who may know the answers is newly installed co-manager of the hotel, Muriel Donnelly (Maggie Smith), the keeper of everyone's secrets.

Others to round out the cast are David Strathairn as Ty Burley, an investor, Shazad Latif as Kushal, and Lillete Dubey as Mrs, Kapoor, Sonny's mother.

This was whimsically staged and paced well by director John Madden ("Ethan Frome" '93, "Golden Gate" '94, "Mrs. Brown" '97, "Shakespeare in Love" '98, "Captain Corelli's Mandolin" '01, "Proof" '05, "Killshot" '08, "The Debt" '10, "The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel" '11). By his very resume, this guy makes his direction look effortless, because his actors exude a very natural and real look. Of course, the actors in this film have proven their talent time and again, so I'm sure this aspect made his collaboration with his cast that much easier. It was written by Ol Parker based on a screen story by Parker and Madden. As there were many characters in this, several subplots ensued, and even though most of these different situations were eventually drawn together by films' end, there were some areas that could have been a bit more cohesive and not as choppy. Mind you, these areas didn't destroy the story, however there was so much going on, it caused one to be strained to 'connect the dots' in script writing. But who cares when you get to see these consummate veteran actors in the same film interacting together.

As one would assume, this wasn't quite as fresh as its predecessor, but then again, most sequels fall into this category. Suffice it to say, when you leave, you will certainly feel a little bit better when you leave than you did when entering the multiplex.

Out of 4 Stars: 3                                 Rated: PG                                 122mins.