Polite Society (2023)
87%RT Audience Score: 84%
Awards & Nominations: NA
Polite Society is a cinematic masterpiece that seamlessly blends British wit, Kung Fu action, and Bollywood flair into a deliciously entertaining film. Manzoor’s directorial debut is a triumph, showcasing her immense talent and leaving audiences eagerly anticipating her next project. The film’s central performances by Kansara and Arya are nothing short of brilliant, with their sisterly bond radiating off the screen and captivating viewers. While some critics may find fault with the film’s pacing or plot, it’s impossible not to be swept up in the contagious energy and unabashed joy of Polite Society. This is a must-see film that will leave you grinning from ear to ear.
Polite Society is like a Bollywood movie, a British comedy, and a Kung Fu action film all rolled into one. It’s a fun and quirky celebration of sisterhood that will leave you feeling good. The plot is constantly surprising, and the performances by Priya Kansara and Arya are top-notch. While it may not be a black belt, it’s definitely a tasty snack that will satisfy your movie cravings. Overall, Polite Society is a great debut from director Manzoor and a promising start to her career.
Production Company(ies)
Focus Features, Parkville Pictures, Sister, Working Title
Distributor
Focus Features
Release Type
Theatrical, Theatrical (Limited)
Filming Location(s)
SHOOT LOCATION(S):
London, England, United Kingdom
MPAA / Certificate
Year of Release
2023
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Color:Color
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Sound mix:Dolby
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Aspect ratio:NA
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Runtime:1h 43m
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Language(s):
-
Country of origin:United States
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Release date:NA
Genre(s)
Action/Comedy
Keyword(s)
starring Priya Kansara, Ritu Arya, Shobu Kapoor, Ella Bruccoleri, Seraphina Beh, Shona Babayemi, directed by Nida Manzoor, written by Nida Manzoor, produced by Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Olivier Kaempfer, John Pocock, action, comedy, PG-13, box office gross $1.5M, budget unknown, reviewed by Claudia Puig, Stephen Romei, Ty Burr, Wendy Ide, Alison Willmore, Robert Abele, Matthew Simpson, Dann Gire, Sonal Pandya, Rubén Rosario, Wade Major, Jared Mobarak, British, Kung Fu, Bollywood, sisterhood, wedding heist, martial arts, parental disappointment, independence, partial nudity, sexual material, violence, April 28 2023 limited release, May 16 2023 streaming release, Focus Features, Working Title Films.
Worldwide gross: $2,445,289
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): NA
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): NA
US/Canada gross: $1,545,600
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada opening weekend:
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): $7,500,000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): $7,500,000
Production budget ranking: 1,767
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): $4,038,750
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
ROI to date (est.): NA
ROI ranking: NA
Ritu Arya – Lena
Shobu Kapoor – Fatima
Ella Bruccoleri – Alba
Seraphina Beh – Clara
Shona Babayemi – Kovacs
Director – Nida Manzoor
Producers – Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Olivier Kaempfer, John Pocock
Writer – Nida Manzoor
Director(s)
NA
Writer(s)
NA
Producer(s)
NA
Film Festivals
Sundance
Awards & Nominations
NA
Academy Awards
All Critics (141) | Top Critics (40) | Fresh (128) | Rotten (13)
A fusion of British wit, Kung Fu action movies, and Bollywood… And a very sweet celebration of sisterhood.
May 17, 2023
Claudia Puig
FilmWeek (KPCC – NPR Los Angeles)
TOP CRITIC
This 104-minute movie is a promising big screen debut from Manzoor, who is 33. It will be interesting to see what she does next.
May 8, 2023 | Rating: 3.5/5
Stephen Romei
The Australian
TOP CRITIC
It’s a crowd pleaser, certainly, and Manzoor and Kansara are talents to watch.
May 5, 2023 | Rating: 3/4
Ty Burr
Ty Burr’s Watch List
TOP CRITIC
The pinballing plot is constantly surprising, and both Kansara and Arya sparkle in this kickass celebration of sisterly bonds.
April 30, 2023 | Rating: 3/5
Wendy Ide
Observer (UK)
TOP CRITIC
Finally, all the angst of diasporic existence… can be confronted with a straightforward punch to the face. It’s a device that Polite Society can’t entirely pull off, though it’s still a good time.
April 29, 2023
Alison Willmore
New York Magazine/Vulture
TOP CRITIC
Manzoor…always finds an honest vibe to win you over, whether it’s sisterly camaraderie, youthful awkwardness or you’re-going-down spunk, which allows the abundant personality in her wonderful cast to hit all the necessary top notes.
April 28, 2023
Robert Abele
Los Angeles Times
TOP CRITIC
With great central performances, downright contagious energy, and a great story about what it means to be family, Polite Society is one not to miss.
May 18, 2023 | Rating: 8/10
Matthew Simpson
Exclaim!
A boldly deranged, multi-pop-cultural movie…
May 17, 2023 | Rating: 3.5/4
Dann Gire
Chicago Daily Herald
Priya Kansara shines in this fun yet uneven comedy.
May 17, 2023
Sonal Pandya
Hindustan Times
This tasty snack is no black belt, but it gives your comfort-food movie cravings a decent workout. It’ll do.
May 17, 2023
Rubén Rosario
MiamiArtZine
I love British comedies, I love Bollywood, and I love kung fu movies, but pack them all into one and it’s like jack of all trades, master of none.
May 17, 2023
Wade Major
FilmWeek (KPCC – NPR Los Angeles)
Add the authentic love shared by Kansara and Arya and it’s tough not to come aboard for a madcap adventure that cements Manzoor’s talent as someone worth following.
May 5, 2023 | Rating: 7/10
Jared Mobarak
Hey, Have You Seen …?…
Plot
Action/Comedy follows martial artist-in-training Ria Khan as she attempts to save her older sister Lena from an impending marriage by pulling off the most ambitious of all wedding heists in the name of independence and sisterhood.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
NA
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