Parents' Guide to

The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

By Sandie Angulo Chen, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 12+

Great cast, but sequel doesn't match original's charm.

Movie PG 2015 122 minutes
The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

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age 18+

Based on 1 parent review

Dan G.
Dan G. Parent
March 9, 2015
age 18+

Too much objectionable sexual content for children

This movie is fine for adults, but the things it teaches children about sexuality will not serve them well. The movie suggests that divorce is OK and normal (tell that to the child psychology experts, who say divorce is one of the worst things you can do for your children). The movie suggests that premarital reproductive (sexual) activity is OK as well, not a lesson that will make your child's life better. There is also some objectionable language and a profanity.

This title has:

Too much sex
Too much swearing
See all 1 parent review

What's the Story?

THE SECOND BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL is the sequel to 2012's The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, which followed a group of British seniors who ended up living in an all-inclusive Indian hotel specializing in the "elderly and beautiful." Now that the residents from the first film are settled in and thriving, clueless-but-well-meaning hotel owner Sonny (Dev Patel) and his manager, Mrs. Donnelly (Maggie Smith), have hopes of expanding to a second location. The American investors intrigued by Sonny's plan tell him they'll be sending an anonymous guest to scope things out -- and soon, a handsome 60-something (Richard Gere) shows up saying he's an aspiring author. But Sonny believes he's the undercover investigator. Meanwhile, Evelyn (Judi Dench) and Douglas (Bill Nighy) struggle to make the next step in their romantic relationship, Madge (Celia Imrie) must decide between two suitors. and Norman (Ronald Pickup) and Carol (Diana Hardcastle) struggle with monogamy.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (1):
Kids say (4):

The movie's title is a little bit on the nose, because this sequel is most definitely not as good as the original. It's occasionally clumsy and unintentionally funny, but the ensemble of award-winning actors do their best with the admittedly "second best" material. Unlike the first film, which charmingly reminded viewers about the transformational power of travel and new beginnings, the sequel finds many of the characters in need of a good kick in the rear to get them to the next level, whether it's in their relationships or their career aspirations.

Still, these are actors who know what they're doing, and despite the shortcomings in the screenwriting, the octogenarian Dames (Dench and Smith) are always a pleasure to see. Dench and Nighy stretch out the romantic tension of their inevitable couplehood, while Smith does what she does so well -- make judgmental quips and give wise advice. As for Patel's Sonny, he's no longer insecure about his mother, but he's still insecure -- until his guests and his love help him see that he has no reason to doubt his success. Gere, on the other hand, is the movie's weakest link. The director should have kept the cast to the English stars, who will all hopefully keep working for years to come.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel's messages about old age, new beginnings, and second chances. How do the characters take advantage of their new opportunities in India?

  • Do you think a movie starring mostly over-60 actors only has appeal for adults? Would teens be interested in this movie? What messages does it have for them?

  • How is romance depicted in the movie? Does the movie make it seem like the elderly live celibate lives, or are they as interested in sex as younger characters?

Movie Details

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