The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

No-one should pretend that this sequel to the hugely popular The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel isn’t shamelessly cashing in on the increasing 40+ movie-going demographic.

But as it’s sure to put a lot of smiles on people’s faces and touch them with some poignancy, no-one should really mind.

Director John Madden once again takes the helm and shows he knows what’s expected: a group of brilliant British actors amidst some glorious sights in Jaipur, India, and a grand Bollywood sequence thrown in for good measure.

This time, Sonny (Dev Patel, Slumdog Millionaire, The Newsroom), wants to expand his line of “hotels for the elderly and beautiful” by buying another one, but he comes up against a few obstacles. Meanwhile, he prepares to marry Sunaina (Tena Desae), with the film being told in three chapters – The Engagement Party, The Family Party, and The Wedding.

Dev Patel is hilarious with his over-the-top Indian persona (of course he’s English), especially when Richard Gere arrives to check in and Sonny thinks he’s a hotel inspector. He goes all out to impress “this perfect specimen” while giving the shabby treatment to other guest, Lavinia Beech (Tamsin Greig). The old favourites reprise their roles – Dame Judi Dench, Bill Nighy, Maggie Smith, Celia Imrie – and of course they’re all up to the task.

In cinemas