Sequel to The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, about the daily lives of a group of British seniors who move to India for an affordable retirement. The great cast is reunited, with two new arrivals spicing things up and making some believe in the impossible.

Picture gallery

The Second Best Marigold Hotel reunites Judi Dench with her illustrious colleagues in their retirement in India, for another exploration in intergenerational ties and the opportunities life brings to those of all ages. The ambience is very Bollywood (notably the musical finale). Director John Madden is also back, with a movie aimed this time at a much larger audience. Probably because of the unexpected success of 2012’s The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, the budget this time around is bigger and shows onscreen. An International American star (Richard Gere) has been added to help things along (which surely spells the end), but a predictable script propped up by a pretty setting and a few bits of refreshing dialogue quickly gives the impression that the sequel is there just to make money. Dev Patel (Skins, Slumdog Millionaire, Child 44) hams it up while the others do their jobs just fine. If you’re looking for easy entertainment, this is the ideal movie.