Story
The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel begins with Sonny Kapoor (Dev Patel) facing the problem of running out of rooms for the ‘elderly and the beautiful’. This is because his Best Exotic Marigold Hotel has been such a success. So he and Muriel (Maggie Smith), now the assistant manager, travel to the United States to raise funds to buy another hotel.
Two new guests, Guy (Richard Gere) and Lavinia (Tamsin Grieg), arrive at the hotel. This causes a dilemma because there is only one vacant room. Sonny immediately believes that Guy has been sent to inspect the hotel and offers him the best room. While frantically trying to impress Guy, Sonny is also arranging his wedding to Sunaina (Tina Desai).
Meanwhile the residents’ relationships are becoming more complicated. Evelyn and Douglas (Judy Dench and Bill Nighy) are both hesitant about moving their relationship forwards. Norman and Carol (Ronald Pickup and Diana Hardcastle) both think the other is having an affair. Madge (Celia Imrie) has to choose between two suitors. Managing all of this proves difficult for Sonny, who moves from one disaster to another but eventually finds a way to solve all his problems.
Themes
Violence
Content that may disturb children
Under 5
Nothing of concern
From 5-8
Nothing of concern
From 8-13
The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel has some scenes that might disturb children in this age group:
- Carol nearly gets hit by a car.
- Norman thinks he might have accidentally taken out ‘a hit’ on his girlfriend.
Over 13
Nothing of concern
Sexual references
The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel has some sexual references. For example:
- Sonny thinks Guy is so handsome that he questions his own sexuality.
- The Viceroy Club has bedrooms for when ‘members get tired or fortunate’.
- Douglas won’t admit to committing adultery to his ex-wife, who asks if Evelyn doesn’t fancy him.
- Carol has been having affairs with other men because she thinks Norman has been having affairs with other women.
Alcohol, drugs and other substances
In The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, characters drink socially at various events.
Nudity and sexual activity
None of concern
Product placement
The following products are displayed or used in The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel: Sony and Toshiba computers.
Coarse language
The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel includes some coarse language.
Ideas to discuss with your children
The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel is a delightful, star-studded comedy, which shows India at its best and worse. The movie will appeal to older teenagers and adults. Although there is nothing particularly disturbing for younger viewers, the movie is very long and the themes are unlikely to hold their interest.
These are the main messages from this movie:
- Don’t make assumptions about people based on outward appearances.
- You’re never too old to enjoy yourself.
Values in this movie that you could reinforce with your children include respect for other cultures.