The social impact of Everything Everywhere All At Once is clear in Polite Society, a new action comedy that blends coming of age with a toned down Kill Bill fighting scenes, culminating in an enjoyable experience for teens and young people.
Ria Khan (Priya Kansara) is a Pakistani Muslim school student living in London who dreams of becoming a stuntwoman. She films herself doing her own moves and blends her imagination with her everyday life as a way to fulfill her dreams. Her close sister Lena (Rita Arya) is a failed artist who is struggling to find her spark after dropping out of art school.
Things soon take a turn when Salim (Akshay Khanna) takes a liking to Lena after an Eid party held by upper-middle-class Raheela (Nimra Bucha), and their relationship blossoms into an engagement. Ria takes it personally and sees her own relationship with her sister disintegrate, taking it upon herself to break up the couple with her friends Alba (Ella Bruccoleri) and Clara (Seraphina Beh). However, the effort to break them up becomes more desperate when Ria learns that there are darker forces at play and that the wedding could signal the end of a bit more for Lena.
As a feature debut for director Nida Manzoor, Polite Society electrifies and packs a strong punch. It does a great job of involving the martial arts scenes within the domestic drama scenes, equally as comedic and thrilling in its execution. Kansara is pitch-perfect and her style of acting aligns perfectly with Ria’s characterization.
Polite Society is a mash-up of many genres, and while at times does feel more inspired by other stories than forging its own, does a swell job of adding in the Pakistani elements for a more culturally aware and modern take on some classics. While it’s a brilliant reflection of modern Britain with a twist, its appeal to young people at the crosssection of culture clashes and familial relationships with hugely appreciate it.
Eden Caceda 