Names like Bill Nighy, Maggie Smith and Judi Dench need no introduction. Add Slumdog Millionaire's Dev Patel and Hollywood legend Richard Gere and you have an amazing collection of talent. When you put into the mix the colour, music and energy of India you have something special.
In this sequel Sonny (Patel) is looking to expand to a second hotel while also preparing to marry the love of his life - Sunaina (Tina Desai).
To succeed with his expansion plans he must impress an inspector coming incognito to stay at the hotel.
While Sonny is fumbling about in his own charming way, the elderly hotel guests continue to enrich their lives in India and ultimately, maybe, find love.
Douglas Ainslie (Nighy) is very much at home in India but he yearns to get closer to Evelyn Greenslade (Dench).
Though the chemistry between the pair is obvious, the fear of taking the next step is in the front of the mind for both.
As usual, watching on is Muriel Donnelly (Smith), a woman who seems to see nothing but knows everything.
Sonny seems to have taken a path where he could lose everything - Sunaina and his hotel - and he desperately needs Muriel's wise counsel to get through.
There is little doubt that if you enjoyed the first Marigold Hotel, you will be equally enamoured on your return visit.
The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel
(PG), 135 minutes
Rating: 4/5 stars
