Polite Society – Film Review

Cast: Priya Kansara, Ritu Arya, Nimra Bucha, Akshay Khanna, Seraphina Beh, Ella Bruccoleri, Shobu Kapoor, Jeff Mirza

Director: Nida Manzoor

Synopsis: An up-and-coming martial artist must hatch a plan to save her sister when she gets engaged…

Review: In the history of cinema, the genre of kung-fu/martial arts is one which has been typically male-dominated, with the works of icons such as Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan inspiring filmmakers to this day. However, there has been no shortage of iconic female characters who have left their mark on this genre, such as Uma Thurman’s The Bride from Kill Bill or some of the many films starring the icon that is Michelle Yeoh, including a certain Academy Award-winning multiverse inspired adventure. On the back of that film’s phenomenal success, which only added proof (as if it was needed) of women firmly establised their credentials as badass warriors capable of taking anyone down, along comes Nida Manzoor with her wickedly funny directorial debut to reinforce that notion, and is ready to chop down anyone who would say otherwise.

Ria (Kansara) is an aspiring martial artist codenamed “The Fury” and harbours ambitions to become a prominent stuntwoman for major Hollywood productions. She is close with her sister Lena (Arya), who moved back home after dropping out of art school.  Lena helps to film the videos for Ria’s YouTube channel and the sisters have formed a close bond. However, their relationship is strained when Lena meets the handsome Salim (Khanna) and promptly falls head over heels for him. When Lena accepts Salim’s proposal of marriage after a relatively short period of time of being together, Ria becomes immediately suspicious and must use a combination of her martial arts expertise and aspiring sleuth skills, with the assistance of her friends Clara (Beh) and Alba (Bruccoleri), to try to understand what it is about Salim that has captured Lena’s heart and form a plan to somehow prevent her sister from going through with tying the knot.

As the budding young martial artist at the centre of this delightful fusion of Bollywood, meets action comedy, meets coming-of-age tale, Priya Kansara’s wonderful breakthrough performance deserves to put her on an immediate path to stardom. Her commitment and dedication to her craft as a martial artist, and unwavering career ambitions are immediately relatable. Her relationship with Lena is also very sincere and both Kansara and Arya share a warm chemistry, where both sisters are passionate and determined to support each other in their lives, particularly given the expectations of their parents (Shobu Kapoor and Jeff Mirza). Though their bond is put to the test when Salim enters the picture and the looming possibility of seeing her sister married to this man prompts Ria and her friends to get creative with their sleuthing, which lends itself to plenty of comedic moments.

With a handful of TV directorial credits under her belt, including Doctor Who and her Channel 4 comedy series We Are Lady Parts, Manzoor makes the transition to the big screen seamlessly. Her script captures the family dynamic of a British-Asian family, while also being instantly relatable for anyone who’s harboured ambitions to make their mark on their chosen profession and will stop at nothing to achieve it, even in the face of setbacks. Yet, this is just one facet of the film, with some fast-paced, exhilarating action scenes. The influences of the works of Edgar Wright’s Cornetto Trilogy and Scott Pilgrim are undeniable, but Manzoor’s direction is assured and framing these scenes against a backdrop of a traditional Pakistani wedding works to perfection. Furthermore, PC Williams’s costume design ensures these colourful and stunning wedding garments leap off the screen.

Without straying into too much detail, there’s an element of outlandishness to the direction the plot goes in. However, given the film is a near blast to watch from start to finish, it is easy enough to roll with the punches and enjoy the ride. In a year, which has already seen the wonderful Rye Lane charm audiences with its fresh take on the rom-com genre and establish Raine Allen-Miller as an exciting new voice among up-and-coming British filmmakers. Nida Manzoor follows suit with a wonderfully unique film, which lets the fists of The Fury fly, all while celebrating the power and badassery of women and the unbreakable bond of sisterhood.

A joyous fusion of the warm and loving bond between sisters, quintessential British comedy and a celebration of Bollywood, as well exhilarting action sequences ensures Polite Society is a fist-pumping good time, with a star-in-the-making performance from Priya Kansara.