The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

Another irresistible swirl of heart-warming life lessons, funny valentines and intoxicating local Indian colour, this captivating sequel is not second best at all, more a worthy companion piece to the 2011 crowd-pleaser. As hotel co-manager Dev Patel's dreams of expansion get in the way of his marriage plans, the cream of British acting aristocracy (Bill Nighy, Maggie Smith, Judi Dench) navigate their own romantic complications with effortless chemistry. Richard Gere and Tamsin Greig check in to the retirement hotel as possible spies for the US financiers Patel needs to fund his franchise, adding their own brand of infectious charm to the winning formula, but returning director John Madden and writer Ol Parker make sure not to rock the mature fairy-tale boat. The touching ending is a fitting conclusion to another pleasure-filled journey populated by a wonderful ensemble of what feel like old friends.