Review: Polite Society

Polite Society
Cert: 12A / 104 mins / Dir. Nida Manzoor / Trailer

Polite Society then, Nida Manzoor's tale of struggling sixth-former and aspiring stuntwoman Ria (Priya Kansara), determined to 'rescue' her art-school-dropout older sister Lena (Ritu Arya) from a seemingly perfect fiancé and wedded bliss on the other side of the world that's too good to be true. In this endeavour Ria enlists her best friends Clara (Seraphina Beh) and Alba (Ella Bruccoleri) to derail the engagement, only to discover that prospective mother-in-law Raheela (Nimra Bucha) will brook no opposition to her plans...

Presented in full, glorious 2.35:1 aspect ratio, Manzoor effortlessly blends coming-of-age Britcom with family drama, using notes of Bollywood, martial arts and horror cinema. The chemistry between the whole cast is electric, and the obvious good time they had on set does nothing to mar the focus and precision each has brought to their role.

Despite what is essentially an emotionally-weighted plot, the film's innate silliness is its key strength, with the outlandish elements actually accelerating as loss, responsibility and acceptance come to a head. It might also be the most (joyously) foul-mouthed 12A you've ever seen. The enthusiasm and commitment of all involved manage to ride out the farcical elements to the point where they're merely fantastical. The second act dips slightly as Clara and Alba are absent from proceedings, but as this is structurally necessary all is restored for a gloriously chaotic and triumphant finale.

Funny, smart and charming as fuck, Polite Society is an absolutely perfect feelgood movie, without the smug mawkishness that label usually entails.
Serious Film-Of-The-Year potential.

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