Polite Society (2023)

What a delightful, fun movie POLITE SOCIETY is! It tells the story of two sisters, Ria (Priya Kansara) and Lena (Ritu Arya), who love martial arts and each other. Ria, a rebellious teenager, wants to become a stuntwoman and impress her professional stunt idol, Eunice. Lena, a talented artist, is about to marry Salim, a charming doctor who swept her off her feet. Ria thinks Lena is making a mistake and decides to stop the wedding with the help of her friends. Along the way, she learns more about herself, her sister, and what being part of a polite society means.

The action is riotously funny, including comedy, martial arts, heist, and romance. The cinematography is crisp. The soundtrack is delightful, with old classic Bollywood tunes and modern numbers. Above all, the performances of Priya Kansara and Ritu Arya were brilliant. They capture the complexities of being sisters: their loyalty, affection, and rivalry; insecurities; need for approval; desire for independence; and yet still deeply loving each other at the end of the day.

The principal theme is conformity versus rebellion in polite society. Both sisters struggle to express and reconcile their identities within the restraints dictated by familial expectations, patriarchal norms, and social etiquette. Ria’s brashness serves as an attempt to break free from archetypal definitions of womanhood: her embrace of martial arts offers her physical strength and independence, while Lena’s focus on art serves as a way for her to nurture her creativity. Both sisters must learn the importance of balance, acceptance and compromise to find true happiness.

POLITE SOCIETY is the feature debut of Nida Manzoor, who, as director, has produced a lively, fun, romantic and witty film. The cross-cultural elements include insightful commentary on the limitations of cultural, generational, and gendered expectations. Manzoor is also a writer born in Pakistan, grew up in Singapore, and later moved to London, making her ideally suited to explore the themes in the movie.

There are a few things that I wish had been better. Some of the characters and subplots could have been developed more. At times, there is a reliance on stereotypes such as the evil mother-in-law, the reluctant bride, the martial arts montage, and the heist plan, which can all be found in other movies and genres.

All in all, though, I enjoyed POLITE SOCIETY. It is a modern story relevant to the recent Indian experience. Still, it doesn’t exclude commentary on the broader global issues of conformity and rebellion, gender roles, and cultural boundaries. With its perfect balance of lightheartedness and seriousness, it speaks to us while keeping us entertained along the way. No wonder POLITE SOCIETY has become such a hit with audiences worldwide! In an age where more voices call for diversity in people and stories, this film provides a refreshing look into the cross-cultural experience between two countries (India and UK) and a thoughtful meditation on female agency and empowerment. Check it out!

(In cinemas in Australia – check your local movie guide for show times.)