the original thinking was this sequel could be bypassed
number one was ok - kind of fun and even an original idea
but such ideas when stretched to follow-ups are rarely better
however pre-screening review reading suggesting this one does it
tonight is fil-um night and a consensus required - so we take it on
an unexpected opening - a mustang being driven at speed in america
sonny (dev patel) driving and muriel (maggie smith) a cowering passenger
route 66 - the one-liners around accent and interpretation flowing already
we then see them in a meeting in a las vegas boardroom seeking funding
chairman of the board played by david strathairn - now that's a surprise
he boss of a large hotel chain considering an expansion into india
cut back to rajasthan and all the familiar characters re-introduced
douglas (bill nighy) a bumbling tour-guide with lines fed by wireless
evelyn (judi dench) a part-time textile buyer for a large multi-national
seems these shysters are still trying to get their romance up and running
the other hotel inhabitants also shown picking up where they left off
and then the film opening credits roll - and part 2 is well underway
they actually killed off a character in part 1 so first deal with that
enter - richard gere - divorcee so the (older) ladies in a flap
says he is a writer but sonny treats him like a hotel inspector
sonny's mother catches his eye and the charmer goes to work
one cringe-worthy scene of him 'writing' his love-story novel
and her - 'i've not been with anyone since my husband died'
him - 'you will not be my first - but you will be my last' - crikey
there's a wedding being planned and another suitor on the scene
and so many other sub-plots going on it's a challenge to keep up
or - more likely - nothing of any substance or demanding empathy
of course nothing should be demanded - this is lightweight central
fortunately the backdrop of indian city life is very well represented
so even with no interest in the many stories at play it's an ok ride
and the skill/experience of all the main actors holds the attention
though - some camera trickery in use with ms dench and smith
their few scenes together such they seem filmed separately
muriel (smith) has a serious and secret medical condition
with that a suggestion that she will be this film's write-off
and a quote then thrown up several times in her presence
there's no present like the time - misquoted but cute
meanwhile in amongst all the drama sonny is very busy
holding together the sub-plot of the actual point of the film
his second hotel - which provides the excuse for this sequel
another stab at legitimacy - david strathairn shows up again
and then into the big finale - sonny and sunaina's wedding
everyone is suddenly happy and seriously partying is on
a loud dance scene in true bollywood style dominating
the choreography looking borrowed from mj's thriller
muriel sneaks away and is seen prone on her bed
did she die - maybe - maybe not - wait and see
everything left open for number 3 in the series
now that would be seriously pushing it
no doubt the bean-counters will decide
enough already i say - checking out (groan)...
