The dance of life, and love, ain't over till it's over.

This is one of the many takeaways from “The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel,” opening this Friday at The Harbor Theatre.

Good sequels are tough to come by, but checking in with the warm and endearing characters of the Marigold Hotel will be well worth the two hour stay at the theater.

Humor, the 'court and spark' of romance and the joys of friendship, adventure and taking chances all figure prominently. The color in this film is derived through those characters at the Marigold, from the locations — Jaipur and Mumbai, India, and in the opportunities presented to all who dwell within it.

The soundtrack, and film, fires up with George Thorogood's “Movin On Over,” blasting from the radio of the top down convertible Sonny (Dev Patel) is in while speeding down Route 66. He's accompanied by the incomparably dry and fractious Muriel Donnelly (Maggie Smith) protesting from the passenger seat to bring the top down.

“Miss Donnelly, we are on Route 66,” shouts Sonny in ecstasy through the wind tunnel, “… and we are getting our kicks!”

The two are on their way to a meeting in San Diego to present their proposal to the Evergreen Enterprises - a retirement community company - and request for financial backing to open a second Marigold Hotel.

“It is for others like this good lady,” Sonny tells the Evergreen board. “Who had the chance to say why should I die here (England) when I could die there (Marigold).”

In this scene we learn Miss Donnelly finds tea served with anything less than boiling water unacceptable. Donnelly refers to the tepid water she is served in the States as piss that requires her to bob the tea bag up and down while praying for a bit of color.

The president of Evergreen makes sure she receives water of the proper temperature.

Sonny's expansion dream is but one of the plot lines at the Marigold. There's also his impending nuptials: full traditional Indian wedding; his rivalry with Kushal (Shazad Latif), who Sonny and his fiancee Sunaina (Tina Desae) have known since they were kids; the budding romances between Evelyn Greenslade (Judi Dench) and Douglas (Bill Nighy) and that of Guy Chambers (Richard Gere) and Sonny's mother, Mrs. Kapoor (Lilette Dubey); Madge Harcastle and her numerous real and wished for romantic partners; Miss Donnelly's questionable health, and the various employment scenarios of the characters.

Between the story lines and the sheer joy of the dance scenes, I was brought to tears a few times.

This outstanding returning cast, and newcomers Gere and Tamsin Greig, are absolute perfection. For me, just seeing Dench and Smith (two of my all-time favorite actresses) performing together is magic enough. They are the crème de la crème. And Patel as Sonny is phenomenal in his portrayal of this ebullient, over the top enthusiastic young man is a joy to watch.

“How many lives can we have,” questions Evelyn with Muriel. After pausing a moment Evelyn states, “As many as we like; while we can.”

“The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel” is an exploration of just that — and a reminder for all that … it ain't over till it's over.

The Harbor Theatre is screening this delightful film at 7 p.m. on Friday, March 20, Saturday, March 21, Wednesday, March 25 and Thursday, March 26; and at 2 p.m. on Sunday, March 22.

The Harbor Theatre is located in the mall at 185 Townsend Avenue, across from Hannaford's.

For more information call 207-633-0438 or visit www.harbortheatre.net.