Despite being rooted in the themes of finality and the ending of things, "The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel" has returned with a sequel, the equally cheekily-named "The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel." While the original film was set at a retirement community in India and revolved around the various reactions to the “exotic” locale by its inaugural British residents, this next incarnation shifts its attention to an expansion of the titular hotel, headed by its energetic proprietor (Dev Patel).
The all-star ensemble cast, including Judy Dench, Bill Nighy, Maggie Smith, and Penelope Wilton, return to reprise their roles, augmented by Richard Gere, in a casting that may leave many in the audience feeling old.
The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel was a sleeper hit when it was first released in 2012 - bringing in more than $46 million in the domestic Us box offices and over $90 million overseas - buoyed by its surprisingly sturdy cast and the little brother-lovabilty of Patel, who has ridden on a wave of releases since his emergence on the mainstream movie scene with Slum Dog Millionaire.
The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel opens across American theaters this weekend.