prasad1
Active member
Like most sequels, The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel is best enjoyed by those who have seen the first. But then again, that isn’t saying much at all. Again, like most sequels. So, in that sense, the title is a give away — it is second best.
The sequel lacks a new conceit to give it its unique identity. Some of the dialogues are funny like when Muriel Donnelly (Maggie Smith) comes out trumps as she says, “My advice is to never give advice.”
But what the film undoubtedly is, is a great advertisement for India. There isn’t one negative Indian character that matters. Even the obsequious protagonist Sonny, who doesn’t mind pimping out his own mother to achieve his ends, isn’t painted as a bad guy; quite the contrary.
The film is almost apologetic in how it tries to paint a romanticised image of the country and its people. Taxi drivers are polite and well-spoken, goodhearted roadside vendors go out of their way to help, and nobody seems to judge, even when old people are hitting on each other. Where is this Marigold Hotel really? I’d like to go.
The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel: Familiarity breeds contempt - The Hindu
