We get a chance to revisit India as ‘The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel’ captures the essence of its chaotic culture and bewitching colours. You can almost feel the heat and take in of the heady fragrance of exotic spices.
This charming film, with its beloved all-star cast, is a celebration that people of all ages can enjoy, and a chance to think about making the most of the opportunities in our lives.
Now that The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel has been filled with long-term residents, co-managers Muriel Donnelly (Maggie Smith) and Sonny Kapoor (Dev Patel) have a dream of expansion and things take an unexpected direction. This gives us a chance for a return trip to the enclave of British pensioners in Rajasthan.
Evelyn and Douglas (Judi Dench and Bill Nighy) venture into the Jaipur workforce, wondering where their regular breakfast dates will lead. Meanwhile, Norman and Carol (Ronald Pickup and Diana Hardcastle) navigate the swirling waters of an exclusive relationship, as Madge (Celia Imrie) juggles two very eligible suitors, and recent arrival, Guy Chambers (Richard Gere) finds a muse in Sonny’s mother, Mrs Kapoor (Lillete Dubey) for his next novel.
Sonny is finding his plans for the new hotel are making more claims on his time than he has available. To add to his problems his big wedding day nears, family and guests alike find themselves swept up in the irresistible intoxication of an Indian wedding.
This is a ‘must see’ film which delivers some excellent laugh-out-loud one liners which will keep you chortling for days.
by Rowena Cooper
Coinciding with the screening of The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, The Damaris Trust is launching the vision for an ongoing project called Damaris Silver Screen.
Damaris enables community groups to organise trips to the cinema followed by themed food, quizzes and discussion – thus enriching the lives of their members and those they serve in the wider community.
If you would like free resources for your film discussion group or club visit www.damaris.org
