Polite Society

April 22nd, 2023 / Kevin Ward

Bursting with energy, humor, heart…and fury, “Polite Society” is a delightful debut feature from Nida Manzoor. Ria Khan, a dedicated martial artist in the early stages of her training, is deeply concerned about the future of her older sister Lena, who is set to enter into a marriage that Ria believes is not in her best interest. To prevent this union and promote the values of independence and sisterhood, Ria rallies her close friends to assist her in the most daring and ambitious wedding heist ever attempted. With courage, determination, and a steadfast commitment to her cause, Ria is determined to succeed and protect her beloved sister from a potentially unhappy fate.

Priya Kansara is utterly endearing as Ria, and her sisterly bond with Lena (Ritu Arya) makes for an enchanting on-screen duo. Kansara, in particular, has a charm a charisma destined for stardom. And Kansara's captivating and beautiful dance sequence will leave a lasting impression on the viewer. 

The story takes a wild turn in the third act. Such a wild swing could have derailed a lesser film, but Nimra Bucha's on-screen presence and sinister vocal performance help to sell the absurdity. She presents like a Bond villain, making for a perfect foil for Ria and her crew.  

Nida Manzoor's direction displays an impressive amount of artistic style and vision. The influence of Edgar Wright's approach to action is evident in her dynamic and entertaining fight scenes. The entire production is well put together and consistently executed. It boasts unique elements in every aspect, including cinematography and sound design. I loved “Polite Society,” and I highly recommend it. It's an entertaining movie for the whole family despite some sexual innuendo and a healthy amount of cursing. 

— 4 / 5 ⭐

  • Director: Nida Manzoor

  • Screenplay: Nida Manzoor

  • Cast: Priya Kansara, Ritu Arya, Nimra Bucha, Akshay Khanna, Seraphina Beh, Ella Bruccoleri

  • Producers: Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Olivier Kaempfer

  • Runtime: 103 minutes

  • Rated: PG-13