Polite Society
Polite Society is playing in theaters at the time of writing. Rated PG-13. Common Sense says 12.
STORY: A
It sounds like something from a John Wick movie: Ria disapproves of her sister’s arranged marriage, so she sets off on a quest to stop the wedding from happening at any cost.
Audiences have always flocked to theaters to gaze at violence in the same way artsy-fartsy folks scope out paintings at art museums. It was true then, and it’s true today. John Wick’s violent vibe is still beating strong at the box office. Another film that opened last weekend, Sisu, seems to have copied the Wick formula and transported it to the final days of World War II. It’s noteworthy and exciting when a story containing a decent amount of violence chooses not to take it so seriously.
Wick movies are a never ending conveyor belt of guys getting offed by slick suits and unfeeling steel. Polite Society is more like an earnest high school punk band of amateur superhero poses and twirling saris determined to take down the patriarchy. It portrays its violence in a much lighter tone that’s designed to bolster its charming story in the most perfect way. It glides through its runtime delivering one delightful spin kick to your face after another. You’ll be begging for more. It’s the best script of the year so far.
PEOPLE: A
Priya Kansara (Bridgerton) is intense and uber charming. While everything around her is played for either comic or overly-dramatic effect, her performance grounds the film with the desperation of a young woman terrified of being cut off from living the life she dreams of leading. Every scene with her sister Lena (played by a phenomenal Umbrella Academy’s Ritu Arya) feels genuine and alive.
Akshay Khanna (Grace) delivers a performance with surprising and impressive range as Salim. However, we soon realize he isn’t Ria’s real opponent. That would be his mother, played with delicious venom by Nimra Bucha (Ms Marvel). Her true motives are never easy to decipher, which is frustrating for Ria but a ton of fun for the audience.
FILM NERD STUFF: A
I have a “restroom test” for movies (yes, I am a strange person). Depending on how far away the restroom is, it takes me between 90 and 120 seconds to use the restroom at the movies. If I notice that 90 seconds often go by without anything major happening, then it’s a slow movie. I figure I can make a run for it.
Polite Society could be pulled over for speeding.
It’s lightning fast. Something important, hysterical, or jaw dropping happens at least every 30 seconds. The NASCAR pace may be the result of the script, but it’s most definitely also a product of smart editing. Every single scene is edited to be as tight and engaging as possible. It would be an entertaining story at any speed, but its fast pace infuses the film with a frenetic energy that will keep you happily glued to the edge of your seat.
ARRANGE THIS! (Elective Class): A
Amidst all of its wacky hi-jinks and entertaining kung fu, this movie makes a lot of vital observations about girl power and the patriarchy. Nearly every woman in this movie drops everything and does anything to help each other achieve their dreams. Ria is ready to tear down her own house in order to make sure her sister becomes an artist. Lena films thousands of Ria’s jumping spin kick videos even though she hates doing it. And committing a felony is a big ask, but Ria’s friends don’t hesitate to help when asked to aid in the heist of a suspicious laptop.
I’m a white dude. Not every white dude reaches their dreams, but I sure have seen enough white dude success in my lifetime to know that it’s a possibility for me. Not everybody can say that. It’s important for women to see themselves achieving dreams, both in real life and in stories (as it is for people of color, people with disabilities, or any marginalized group). It’s also important to see people like yourself supporting and helping each other to reach their dreams.
I won’t reveal any spoilers, but let’s just say there is one person in the film who definitely would have benefited from having been shown another pathway to her dreams. Very, very bad choices are made. We can only hope Polite Society prevents such an outlandish, fiendish, ridiculous (and scientifically impossible) scheme from ever happening in real life.
FINAL COMMENTS:
Hard core kung fu fans might be disappointed by the breezy fighting sequences, but it’s refreshing to see a spotlight shone instead on the passions and reasons that drive people to take up a worthwhile struggle in the first place. The fight scenes certainly entertain, but they serve a higher purpose than being the main attraction. And the main attraction - a fun, fresh, feminist adventure - is fantastic.