80
Empire
An entirely charming extension of the most unlikely franchise, gently handling big themes and dissolving cynicism with laughter. Maggie Smith is superb.
The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel
Critic Rating
(read reviews)User Rating
- United Kingdom,
- United States
- 2015
- · 122m
Director
John Madden
Cast
Dev Patel,
Judi Dench,
Richard Gere,
Maggie Smith,
Bill Nighy,
Celia Imrie
Genre
Comedy,
Drama
After opening his first hotel for “the elderly and beautiful,” Sonny has his eyes set on expanding to a second location, but must meet the demands of his customers while also preparing for his upcoming marriage. As the demands of a traditional Indian wedding threaten to engulf them all, an unexpected way forward presents itself.
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What are critics saying?
80
Empire by Nev Pierce
An entirely charming extension of the most unlikely franchise, gently handling big themes and dissolving cynicism with laughter. Maggie Smith is superb.
75
Observer by Rex Reed
The senior set deserves a few crumpets with their tea, and Part Two, which takes up where the original left off, aims to satisfy.
75
San Francisco Chronicle by Thomas Lee
I would gladly see the movie again, if just to see Smith do her trademark grumpy English thing.
70
Village Voice by Stephanie Zacharek
In the end, listing this sequel’s flaws and charms is a loser’s game, and I throw up my hands: I just had fun, maybe mostly because watching these actors brings me so much joy. There’s nothing second best about that, or about them.
70
Variety by Peter Debruge
It’s not so common to find an ensemble of this caliber so enthusiastic to work together, and that chemistry comes across.
67
Entertainment Weekly by Chris Nashawaty
Predictable, corny, and mild.
67
Christian Science Monitor by Peter Rainer
If Hollywood must have franchises, we could do worse than one highlighting people who have lived a long life and are not on altogether friendly terms with technology. But imagine what this cast could do with something less tutti-frutti!
67
The A.V. Club by A.A. Dowd
True to its title, The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel is a mildly inferior sequel, diluting the modest charms of its predecessor. Said charms do remain, however.
67
The Playlist by Kimber Myers
Smith, Nighy, and Dench aren’t delivering audacious, reaching performances here, but there’s still plenty of charm and authenticity.
63
Slant Magazine by Elise Nakhnikian
Like its predecessor, the film is a charming example of what great actors can do with mediocre material.
60
CineVue
John Madden's The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel offers just as much joy, heart and chuckles as its hugely successful predecessor.
60
Time Out London by Dave Calhoun
Luckily, there are just enough truths about ageing beneath its corny, farcical surface. Also, it’s hard not to enjoy two hours in the company of this cast.
60
The Telegraph by Robbie Collin
We all know Smith can deliver barbs like blow-darts, but Parker’s screenplay gives her a too-rare chance to do something more – and when she delivers a bittersweet, profound monologue towards the end of the film, it feels like you’re watching a classic Ferrari reach the end of an average speed check zone and whistle off into the distance.
50
The Dissolve by Keith Phipps
Where the first film kept insisting that drama and liveliness need not disappear in the golden years, its sequel feels almost like a rebuttal. Hopefully everyone involved will find something better to do before this unexpected franchise opens up a third location.
40
The Hollywood Reporter by Leslie Felperin
The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel is a sluggish also-ran compared to its predecessor.
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