Well…. kinda!
Yesterday I went to the movies in the afternoon. I went alone in search of a couple of hours of light colourful distraction, from another dull day of wet and windy weather. There was only one other person there for the showing of The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. I did not see the other patron, the cinema was dark when I entered. I did hear a deep cough at one stage and took it to be male.
We had two trailers for future movies:
Run All Night with Liam Neeson acting tough and beating up bad guys. Plenty of gore, blood & guns. Not my idea of entertainment by a long stretch.
Woman in Gold in which Helen Mirren is Maria Altmann, an octogenarian Jewish refugee, who takes on the government to recover artwork that she believes rightfully belongs to her family. That one, I will add to my list for an outing.
Now to the main feature: The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.
I had read some very different reviews of the film. I always prefer to make up my own mind. I liked the cast list of Dame Judi Dench, Dame Maggie Smith, and Bill Nighy, Ronald Pickup, Diana Hardcastle, Dev Patel and Tina Desai who were joined this time round by Richard Gere.
It is a sequel with the same theme as the first (which I did enjoy), about a group of people of a certain age all taking a chance on a new experience and deciding that life is not over for them at 60, 70 or eighty!
As Celia Imrie said: “We’re all living longer now, and I feel more optimistic about what’s to come than ever now, and I think that’s what this film will give people hope for.”
Why shouldn’t it? We are constantly reminded that sixty is the new forty, if that is so, then eighty is the new sixty. I remember by father retiring from work at sixty five, at which point he decided his work was done, his life over, and it was a matter of waiting for death. He died at seventy, an old, old man.
I am catching up on the age that my father left us. I am in no hurry to go, I still have some living to do. The banter we had my Facebook post yesterday about the film gives an inkling.
Nick was not very impressed with the movie.
Emily told me to “Ignore Nick’s comment! It is perfect distraction, lovely cast (cue Richard Gere, yum), gorgeous scenery.”
Nick thought that Richard Gere didn’t have much of a part. He basically just stood around looking hot to trot.
Emily decided he (Richard Gere) was hot enough for her.
When I reported back after seeing the movie, Nick asked: “And was Richard Gere hot enough for you, Marie?”
You really want to know how I answered………?
“Nah, I like a little more spark!”
I enjoyed the first one, and will certainly consider seeing this one.
Brighid, I went with an open mind and loved the banter, humour and pathos amongst the oldies.
I thought the whole film was a bit forced, and the characters were not much more than stereotypes. But I liked the Maggie Smith character (Muriel Donnelly) – very down to earth and a bit cynical. I can identify with that!
All sequals dissapoint a little. Perhaps it is because the basic story is not new to us and we expect too much. Maggie Smith aka Muriel Donnelly was wonderfully, as were all the old regulars.
I was planning to see it anyway when it gets released here and your review just reinforces my decision. RG without some spark is something that I would like to see!
I think you will enjoy it, Ramana.
Finally I am back on your list of fan followers! Haven’t seen the first one:( will get Jai to download both and see!
Unfortunately, Padmum, you seem to have come by the wrong route: I found you in the spam bucket! 🙁 I think you will enjoy both movies. I want to hear your laughter over here.
Love backdoors….open up to a different view, don’t they!
Back doors, certainly, but spam buckets are no way for a lady to enter!
I wonder why though? Idiosyncrasies of the internet, I suppose
Padmum, I have no idea, it really puzzles me. More frequent checks are a must, me thinks!
Sounds like Richard Gere was just looking for a paycheck.
Al, he was playing ’64’ and trying to go gently….! 😉
I look forward to seeing it. I have loved Richard Gere since American Gigolo.
Judy, go and enjoy!
Movies are like life . . . focus on the positives and you’ll enjoy the experience more.
Thanks Nancy, I just realised that is exactly what I do… so long as there is no blood and gore …
Movies are so subjective, I am so glad you had a good time GM and that’s what it’s all about. It’s not on my goto list as I was disappointed in the 1st one as I love the book and, as usual, the movie was a let own with key elements of the book disregarded. Ah well. to each his own. though I must say if I were in Belfast I would have gone with you and kept my mouth shut and enjoyed your enjoyment 😀
XO
WWW
WWW, as you know, I am better at reading the pictures than the words. The jumping about on screen is for real and not my eyes playing tricks with the print on the page. As you say, to each his own. Movie going for me is light entertainment, the laughter does my heart good.
I like to make up my own mind about movies, etc, too. I can’t wait to see this sequel, because I like the actors.
The actors appear as if they are having fun and not just acting the parts they play. Enjoy, Betty.
I’ve not seen the first one either, maybe some day I will get around-2-it 🙂
Better than a spoon of medicine any day, Cathy. I did enjoy both of them.