Friday 26 February 2021

The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2005 John Madden)

Two odd coincidences surrounded this viewing. I had just asked Q to buy a copy when I noticed it was on TV that very evening. Then, we were discussing it with editor Victoria Boydell and she said 'When was it on?' and revealed that her neighbour, Ronny Pickup, who's featured in the film, died that same day.

Dev Patel is slightly maddening as the over-eager puppy-dog jealous fiancé, but he's surrounded by a great cast of British stalwarts including Maggie Smith (whose accent shifts somewhat), Bill Nighy, Judi Dench, Penelope Wilton, Celia Imrie. Plus Tina Desai, Hubrayjoti Barat, Lilette Dubey. And Richard Gere, Tamsin Greig, David Strathairn.

Handsomely photographed by Ben Smithard, super score from Tom Newman, written by Parker and Madden, edited at a good pace by Victoria Boydell, whose name we now clap when we see it in the credits. The film's plot lines seem weirdly incomplete. Either that or it was me. When Dev suddenly leaves the wedding on a motor bike, it's like he's nipped off to appear in someone else's film quickly.

1940-2021

"It seems I'm cat nip to the ladies!"


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