I never saw the first one so I have no idea if the title for The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel is ridiculous or perfect, but as someone not in the know it sounds ridiculous, not that that will matter considering I think all you need here is “Best Exotic Marigold Hotel” and the target audience’s ears will perk up after the first movie made $136.8 million worldwide on a $10 million budget and this time around the entire gang is back for more.
Director John Madden is back with Maggie Smith, Bill Nighy, Richard Gere, Judi Dench, Celia Imrie, Dev Patel, Tamsin Greig, David Strathairn and Penelope Wilton making up the cast. Here’s the plot:
The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel 2 (or The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel) is the expansionist dream of Sonny Kapoor, and its making more claims on his time than he has available, considering his imminent marriage to the love of his life, Sunaina. Sonny has his eye on a promising property now that his first venture, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel for the Elderly and Beautiful, has only a single remaining vacancy posing a rooming predicament for fresh arrivals Guy and Lavinia.
Evelyn and Douglas have now joined the Jaipur workforce, and are wondering where their regular dates for Chilla pancakes will lead, while Norman and Carol are negotiating the tricky waters of an exclusive relationship, as Madge juggles two eligible and very wealthy suitors. Perhaps the only one who may know the answers is newly installed co-manager of the hotel, Muriel, the keeper of everyone’s secrets. As the demands of a traditional Indian wedding threaten to engulf them all, an unexpected way forward presents itself.
Fox Searchlight will release the film on March 6, 2015 and you can check out the first trailer directly below.