‘Polite Society’ Review – A Hilarious, Emotional & Unpredictable Bit Of Modern-Day Mythology

Focus Features’ latest release, Polite Society, can be described in many ways: hilarious, emotional, and intense. Taking a familiar premise and elevating it to new heights, there is truly never a dull moment in this modern-day epic. There has never been a film quite like this one before, which is what makes it so remarkable.

The film follows teenage protagonist, Ria, as she struggles with coming to terms with the recent engagement of her sister Lena. The film follows Ria as she attempts to confirm her suspicions about Lena’s future husband and family. Facing cultural and societal expectations, the sisters must wrestle with staying true to their goals or conforming to what others want.

From the opening scene, it is clear to audiences that this movie wears its heart on its sleeve. The distinct sense of style presents the story as mythology set in the present day, with Ria serving as our brave young heroine. Sharp editing, witty dialogue, and bold chapter titles displayed across the screen are just a few of the many stylistic choices that make this film stand out. These choices not only elevate the narrative but also the comedic aspects of the film.

Culture is very much at the center of this story. Societal expectations and gender roles are not new ideas in storytelling but here they are reinvigorated with a personal twist that is unique to the filmmaker’s culture. The film roots its narrative in Indian culture. To some audience members, this may make the film more relatable, but to others, it provides a unique and valuable new perspective into the intricacies of growing up as a woman in different cultures.

The strong bond between sisters Ria and Lena serves as the emotional core of the film. Lead actresses Priya Kansara and Ritu Arya portray the relationship with a sense of earnestness that truly sells the relationship to the audience. Like real siblings, the characters bicker at times, but at the end of the day, they have each other’s backs. Whether it is through filming dorky martial arts videos in their backyard or heart-to-heart conversations about the future, This relationship is established so well that when the characters are at odds with one another, the audience hurts as well.

Credit has to be given to Kansara, who makes our protagonist, Ria, someone that the audience can’t help but root for. The character is headstrong and stubborn at times, but that determination also makes her such a compelling young heroine. The development of her character and her hero’s journey is very much at the center of this story.

Every hero needs a formidable foe, which actress Nimra Bucha is more than able to deliver. From her very first scene, Bucha’s character, Raheela, commands the scene. The air of her intimidating screen presence establishes Raheela as a worthy opponent for Ria. She is such an effective villain because she is built on the familiar archetype of a controlling mother-in-law. It is a scenario that is commonplace in marriages, elevated by the larger-than-life nature of the story.

The most impressive technical aspect of this film is the fight scenes which are intense and masterly choreographed. The audience feels the impact and weight of each punch, showing an intensity unlike fight scenes seen in most modern-day films. These larger-than-life fight scenes don’t obey the laws of physics, making the film feel even more like mythology.

Another highlight of the film is the sheer unpredictability of the plot. The audience is left constantly guessing what will happen next and seemingly insignificant details are paid off in the big reveal. The plot effectively builds tension and pays it off in a satisfying way.

For such an epic story, the film lacks an effective instrumental score. Pivotal moments in the film that could have been more impactful with different tracks. For example, epic battles and triumphant character moments lack the impact that the scenes deserve. In fact, one of my favorite moments of the film was the ending scene, simply because of how effective the music was. It is the perfect ending to this journey, which the score highlights exceptionally well.

Polite Society delivers a wild and immensely entertaining adventure with a personal sense of style and culture from its filmmaking team. Audiences might not know what they are getting into but that unknown quality is precisely what makes the film so enjoyable.

Polite Society will debut exclusively in theaters on April 28, 2023 courtesy of Focus Features. 

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRFM7HQmkH0]