Quartile rating: 6.5/10 · 1 rating
As the Best Exotic Marigold Hotel has only a single remaining vacancy - posing a rooming predicament for two fresh arrivals - Sonny pursues his expansionist dream of opening a second hotel.
A formulaic sequel that recycles the charm of the original without adding much new. The ensemble cast of British veterans (Dench, Smith, Nighy) elevate the material through sheer professionalism and warmth, keeping the acting above average despite thin character arcs. The Indian locations provide pleasing cinematography with vibrant color and texture. The plot is lightweight and episodic, juggling too many subplots without much dramatic tension. Novelty suffers as this is largely a retread of the first film's premise and tone, offering little that is fresh or distinctive. The ending is a pleasant but predictable wrap-up with celebratory nuptials, competently executed but unsurprising.