Cast
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Dev Patel
as Sonny Kapoor
Judi Dench
as Evelyn Greenslade
Richard Gere
as Guy Chambers
Maggie Smith
as Muriel Donnelly
Bill Nighy
as Douglas Ainslie
Celia Imrie
as Madge Hardcastle
Penelope Wilton
as Jean Ainslie
Ronald Pickup
as Norman Cousins
Diana Hardcastle
as Carol Parr
Tina Desai
as Sunaina
Lillete Dubey
as Mrs. Kapoor
David Strathairn
as Ty Burley
Tamsin Greig
as Lavinia Beach
Claire Price
as Laura Ainslie
Subhrajyoti Barat
as Hari
Crew
Director
- John Madden
Producer
- Graham Broadbent
- Peter Czernin
Reviews
Jack
Just like the first film, this one also takes you to a very special journey you can never forget. The honesty of the characters and how relatable they are is what made the first film so charming and unique applies to this film too.
These two films have a very special place in my heart.
Would I watch it again? Absolutely! Would I make my friends watch it? Definitely.
May 13, 2020
CinemaSerf
Well hats off to John Madden for managing to reassemble the cast from the first film from four years earlier, and for securing the sparing services of Richard Gere but I'm afraid the rest of this is all a poor cousin. With the hotel now more successful, "Sonny" (Dev Patel) and "Mrs. Donnelly" (Dame Maggie Smith) are in the USA trying to seek funding for them to expand, and to buy the former women's palace for their next venture. Returning, and expecting an inspector to come and evaluate their business they greet the arrival of writer "Chambers" (Gere) and of new guest "Lavinia" (Tamsin Greig) in slightly different manners - and that's the first mistake for "Sonny"! The first film had a freshness to it, they (and we) were are all exploring a new life with new opportunities in a new bustling city: this is a much less joyful affair. Everyone appears to be looking towards the end; the characters are much flatter and slightly more depressed. The mischievous characterisations from Ronald Pickup and Celia Imrie have entered a rather uninteresting cul-de-sac. Familial discord between Sonny, his fiancée and his mother is all just a bit too convoluted and the story just, frankly, runs out of steam. Patel exudes charisma, he does way more to carry this than any of others and in the end comes up with quite a decent bit of dancing too. It's colourful and it's doesn't hang about, but Dame Maggie, in particular, has lost much of her curmudgeonly charm and Dame Judi really rather simpers through the film with little of the spark we saw before. To be honest, I'm not really sure the first film really merited a sequel at all. This one is really not very memorable and Richard Gere's character adds very little indeed.
Aug 12, 2023
Thematic Analysis
As a dramatic work, The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel examines complex human relationships and emotional struggles against the backdrop of contemporary challenges that mirror our own experiences. The character development particularly stands out, offering viewers a chance to reflect on their own life journeys.
Director John Madden brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to character development and emotional depth creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.
Released in 2015, the film exists within a cultural context that continues to evolve with our understanding of its themes. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.
Did You Know?
- The production of The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel took approximately 20 months from pre-production to final cut.
- With a budget of $10.0 million, the film proved to be a financial success, earning back its investment and more.
- The final cut of the film runs for 122 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 176 minutes long.
- The musical score contains over 47 unique compositions.
- Some visual effects sequences took up to 6 months to complete.
- The director insisted on using practical effects whenever possible, reserving CGI for only the most necessary scenes.
Historical Context
- In 2015, when this film is released:
- Political polarization was intensifying in many countries.
- Streaming services were revolutionizing film and television consumption.
- Streaming platforms were disrupting traditional distribution models and changing how audiences consumed films.
How This Film Stands Out
While The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.
Unlike Contact, which focuses more on action than character development, The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel offers a fresh perspective through its innovative visual language and narrative structure.
While films like Top Gun and Shaun of the Dead explore similar territory, The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel stands apart through its distinctive directorial vision and pacing.
This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its thoughtful balance of entertainment value and thematic depth, making it a valuable addition to its genre.
Details
- Release Date: February 26, 2015
- Runtime: 2h 2m
- Budget: $10,000,000
- Revenue: $86,000,000
