The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2015) Movie Review: Where to Watch Online
The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2015) is the sequel to the 2012 surprise hit, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, continuing the charming story of a group of British retirees navigating their golden years in India. Directed by John Madden, this delightful follow-up once again brings together a star-studded ensemble cast including Judi Dench, Maggie Smith, Bill Nighy, and Dev Patel. Set against the colorful backdrop of Jaipur, India, the film mixes humor, romance, and life-affirming moments, while addressing themes of aging, friendship, and new beginnings. In this review, we’ll delve into the movie’s plot, performances, and critical reception, along with where you can stream or rent it online in the U.S.
Plot Overview: Expanding Horizons in Jaipur
The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel picks up where the first film left off. Sonny Kapoor (Dev Patel), the enthusiastic young manager of the hotel, dreams of expanding his business by opening a second location. However, Sonny’s personal life is in flux as he’s also preparing for his upcoming wedding to Sunaina (Tina Desai). Balancing the demands of his business and his relationship proves challenging, particularly when a mysterious hotel inspector arrives to evaluate his project.
Meanwhile, the retirees who reside at the Marigold Hotel continue their own journeys of self-discovery and reinvention. Evelyn (Judi Dench) and Douglas (Bill Nighy) are tentatively exploring their romantic connection, while Muriel (Maggie Smith), who has become Sonny’s business partner, takes on a more central role at the hotel. New characters, including Guy Chambers (Richard Gere), add fresh complications and romantic entanglements to the mix.
As each of the characters navigates their personal challenges, the film offers a heartfelt exploration of life’s second chances—whether in love, work, or friendships—and how age doesn’t have to limit one’s potential for happiness and growth.
Judi Dench and Bill Nighy: Heartwarming Chemistry
Judi Dench and Bill Nighy return as Evelyn and Douglas, two retirees whose budding relationship takes center stage in this sequel. Dench delivers a nuanced performance as Evelyn, who has embraced the challenges of a new life in India and now faces a pivotal decision about her future, both professionally and personally. Her portrayal is warm, subtle, and deeply relatable, capturing the complexities of late-life romance and self-reinvention.
Bill Nighy, as the shy and good-hearted Douglas, brings his signature charm to the role. His character’s gentle awkwardness and quiet yearning for Evelyn create a touching dynamic, making their scenes together both poignant and humorous. Their chemistry is one of the emotional highlights of the film, adding depth to the lighter comedic elements.
Dev Patel: A Spirited, Lovable Sonny
Dev Patel shines once again as Sonny Kapoor, whose boundless enthusiasm and optimism drive much of the plot’s energy. Patel’s portrayal of Sonny is lively and endearing, blending humor with heartfelt moments as Sonny navigates the pressures of business expansion and impending marriage. His scenes with Maggie Smith’s Muriel, where their mentorship and friendship develop, are particularly touching, adding a deeper layer to Sonny’s character growth.
Patel’s comedic timing is spot-on, particularly in scenes where Sonny’s over-the-top personality collides with the more reserved British retirees. His relationship with Sunaina (Tina Desai) provides both romantic and comedic tension, as Sonny’s focus on his business threatens to derail his personal life.
Maggie Smith: A Sharp and Witty Performance
Maggie Smith reprises her role as Muriel Donnelly, the sarcastic yet soft-hearted retiree who has become an integral part of Sonny’s hotel operations. Smith’s biting wit and sharp one-liners are a source of much of the film’s humor, but beneath her tough exterior, Muriel’s character reveals a deep emotional complexity.
Smith’s performance is both humorous and touching, particularly as Muriel takes on more responsibility at the hotel and reflects on her own mortality. Her scenes with Dev Patel are among the film’s most memorable, as Muriel becomes something of a mentor to Sonny, offering sage advice while managing to maintain her signature gruff demeanor.
Richard Gere: A New Romantic Wildcard
The introduction of Richard Gere as Guy Chambers, a suave American writer, adds a new layer of intrigue to the film. Gere’s character quickly becomes the object of affection for Madge (Celia Imrie) and carves out his own romantic subplot. While his role is not as central as the core ensemble, Gere’s presence adds a touch of Hollywood glamour and charm to the story.
His interactions with the rest of the cast, especially with Madge and Sonny, create fun moments of lighthearted drama. Though his character’s arc doesn’t have the emotional depth of some of the other storylines, Gere’s performance adds an enjoyable element of star power to the ensemble.
Themes of Aging, Reinvention, and Love
At its core, The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel is about the possibilities of reinvention and new beginnings, no matter one’s age. The film explores how its characters continue to grow, change, and adapt in the later stages of their lives. Whether it’s finding love, pursuing new careers, or simply learning to embrace the uncertainty of the future, the film presents aging not as a limitation, but as an opportunity for renewal.
This message is delivered with a blend of humor and heart, making the film an uplifting experience. The vibrant setting of India serves as a metaphor for the characters’ journeys, representing a world of possibilities that lie outside the familiar boundaries of their past lives.
Critical Reception: A Warm, Feel-Good Sequel
While The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel didn’t capture the same level of critical acclaim as its predecessor, it was generally well-received for its charm, performances, and feel-good message. Critics praised the ensemble cast, particularly the performances of Dench, Smith, and Patel, while acknowledging that the sequel’s plot was more scattered than the original.
The film was appreciated for maintaining the warmth and humor that made the first film such a success, though some reviewers noted that the sequel felt more like an episodic series of events rather than a tightly woven narrative. Nonetheless, for fans of the original, The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel offers a delightful return to the lives of these beloved characters and an enjoyable escape into its vibrant world.
Where to Watch The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel Online in the U.S.
If you’re looking to stream or rent The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel online in the U.S., here are the platforms where it is currently available:
Streaming Services
- Hulu
- The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel is available for streaming on Hulu. Subscribers can enjoy the film along with a wide selection of other comedy-dramas and feel-good movies.
- Disney+
- The film is also available on Disney+ as part of its extensive library of films. Disney+ offers high-quality streaming for subscribers looking to revisit the Marigold Hotel’s charming world.
Rental and Purchase Options
- Amazon Prime Video
- You can rent or purchase The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel on Amazon Prime Video. Rentals typically cost $3.99 for HD, and purchasing the film ranges from $9.99 to $14.99.
- Apple TV/iTunes
- The film is available for rent or purchase on Apple TV/iTunes. Rental prices are around $3.99, and purchasing costs approximately $9.99 to $14.99 for HD.
- Google Play Movies & TV
- Google Play offers The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel for rent at $3.99, while purchases range from $9.99 to $14.99, depending on the format.
- Vudu
- Vudu has rental and purchase options for The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. Rentals cost $3.99, and purchases are priced between $9.99 and $14.99 for HD quality.
- YouTube Movies
- YouTube Movies allows viewers to rent the movie for $3.99 or purchase it for $9.99, offering another flexible option for those looking to watch online.
Final Thoughts: A Heartwarming Sequel Full of Charm
The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel successfully builds on the themes and charm of the original, providing an entertaining and heartwarming sequel that celebrates life’s second chances. The film’s ensemble cast delivers strong performances, with standouts from Judi Dench, Maggie Smith, and Dev Patel. While the plot may be a bit looser than the first, the movie’s humor, warmth, and optimistic outlook make it an enjoyable experience for fans of the original and newcomers alike.
With its vibrant setting and feel-good narrative, The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel is perfect for viewers seeking a lighthearted escape. The film is readily available on several streaming platforms and digital rental services, making it easy to access for U.S. audiences.
