The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel parents guide

The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel Parent Guide

It is good to see a movie that addresses the need for companionship and affection in the golden years. Unfortunately, the characters in this movie, as in the first, too often confuse libido with love.

Overall C+

Because his first retirement home for the elderly and beautiful has been a blooming success, Sonny (Dev Patel) is considering opening a second property. That is if his upcoming wedding and the clients' demands don't squash his vision.

Release date March 6, 2015

Violence A-
Sexual Content C+
Profanity C+
Substance Use C+

Why is The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel rated PG? The MPAA rated The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel PG for some language and suggestive comments.

Run Time: 122 minutes

Official Movie Site

Parent Movie Review

In movie time, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel has been operating successfully for eight months. Now the proprietor, Sonny Kapoor (Dev Patel) is ready to expand his Indian-based hospitality empire by purchasing another rundown building to renovate.

Traveling to America with his mentor and front desk manager, Muriel Donnelly (Maggie Smith), Sonny peddles his plans to a large hotel chain in hopes of getting some capital for his new venture. Ty Burley (David Strathairn) doesn’t give Sonny a definite yes or no, but agrees to send an undercover inspector to check out the current facility.

When Guy Chambers (Richard Gere) arrives without a reservation, Sonny suspects he is the man. Eager to make a good impression, the young entrepreneur goes out of his way to ensure Guy has a pleasant stay—even if it comes at the expense of another guest Lavinia Beech (Tamsin Greig). Yet trying to get funding isn’t the only thing on Sonny’s mind. His wedding to Sunaina (Tina Desai) is only days away and an old childhood rival (Shazad Latif) has shown up for the festivities.

Meanwhile the regular guests at the Marigold Hotel continue to deal with the realities of their advanced years, such as deteriorating health, loneliness, insecurities and unexpected opportunities. Their approaches to aging range from embracing second chances and building deep friendships to wallowing in self-pity and even stooping in spiteful acts. Some of them, including Norman Cousins (Ronald Pickup) and Madge Hardcastle (Celia Imrie), are still on the prowl for sexual adventures. Despite the fact that Norman is in a committed relationship with Carol (Diana Hardcastle), he can’t keep his eyes from scanning every room for possible conquests. And Madge is busy trying to keep two elderly Indian men satisfied. (Of course each of them is unaware of the other. Only her driver knows what is up.)

It is good to see a storyline that addresses the need for companionship and affection in the golden years. Unfortunately, the characters in this movie, as in the first film, too often confuse libido with love. Sex is a frequent topic of discussion. And while everyone manages to keep their clothes on, at least on screen, they rarely take the opportunity to discuss anything but the physical aspect of their lives.

Sonny’s character provides the same comedic relief he did in the first story. And the production’s colorful setting, the Bollywood-style dance numbers and a large cast of interesting and endearing secondary characters give audiences a sense of the vivid culture in this Indian city. The concept of outsourcing the care of the elderly also raises some valid questions about providing senior services at home.

However, the real message of The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel may be that while people can’t always choose the circumstances of life, they can choose their attitude. And what they decide to focus on seems to make all the difference. Some guests are still trying to sow their wild oats. Some insist on rehashing the wrongs they’ve endured. And some, looking to the happiness of others in the future, are content to plant trees they will never sit under.

Directed by John Madden. Starring Dev Patel, Maggie Smith, Richard Gere, Bill Nighy . Running time: 122 minutes. Theatrical release March 6, 2015. Updated

The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel
Rating & Content Info

Why is The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel rated PG? The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel is rated PG by the MPAA for some language and suggestive comments.

Violence:
A man thinks that he has arranged for his partner to be killed while he was drunk after a woman is nearly hit by a taxi. An engaged couple argues. Two old friends argue.

Sexual Content:
Characters frequently talk about their sexual activities or desires. It is implied that characters are engaging in sexual relations, some with multiple partners. Some veiled homosexual comments are made. A woman quickly closes her 50 Shades of Gray book after she notices a young girl reading over her shoulder. A woman accuses her son of pimping her out. Crude sexual comments are included in the dialogue. A girl is seen in a bikini. A dance includes some intimate moves.

Language:
The script includes several British curses, a limited number of slurs, terms of Deity, name-calling and some crude slang.

Alcohol / Drug Use:
Characters frequently drink with dinner or at social events. One man is portrayed as drunk.

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The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel Parents' Guide

From The Studio:
The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel is the expansionist dream of Sonny (Dev Patel), and it’s making more claims on his time than he has available, considering his imminent marriage to the love of his life, Sunaina (Tina Desai). 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 (Richard Gere) and Lavinia (Tamsin Greig). Evelyn and Douglas (Judi Dench and Bill Nighy) have now joined the Jaipur workforce, and are wondering where their regular dates for Chilla pancakes will lead, while Norman and Carol (Ronald Pickup and Diana Hardcastle) are negotiating the tricky waters of an exclusive relationship, as Madge (Celia Imrie) 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 (Maggie Smith), 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.
- Written by Fox Searchlight

Talk about the movie with your family…
Jean Ainslie says that good things don’t fall in her lap, so she must make them. Does she appear to be a woman who is trying to make good things happen? Why has she let bitterness and anger take over her life? How does that impact those around her? Would she be an easy person to befriend?

After an argument Sonny promises Sunaina three things, including that he will be a better husband than fiancé. What pressures distract him from the wedding? Why does Muriel warn him about messing things up? How does she mentor him?

Evelyn is nervous about taking a new opportunity. How can fear keep us from taking chances? How do you overcome that fear?

Home Video

The most recent home video release of The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel movie is July 14, 2015. Here are some details…

Home Video Notes: The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel
Release Date: 14 July 2015
The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel releases to home video with the following special features:
- Story
- Cast
- Returning to the Marigold Hotel
- Blossoming Relationships
- The Marigold Wedding
- Filming in India
- Gallery

Related home video titles:

This is the sequel to The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. Dev Patel can also be seen in Slumdog Millionaire, Judi Dench in Philomena and Maggie Smith in Quartet.

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