Ria Khan (Priya Kansara) and her older sister Lena Khan (Ritu Arya) are best friends and support each others dreams of being a stuntwoman and artist respectively. So when Lena gives up her dream of being an artist, starts wearing cardigans and gets engaged Ria feels that something is wrong and hatches a plan to foil the wedding and save her sister. 

Polite Society is the debut film for acclaimed writer/director Nida Manzoor whose TV credits include Doctor Who and We Are Lady Parts. The result is a mash up of Scott Pilgrim vs. The World and Kill Bill filled with British Pakistani humour. 

The relationship between Ria and Lena is heartwarming and believable. Ria’s crazy plans to foil the wedding with her best friends Clara (Seraphina Beh) and Alba (Ella Bruccoleri) are kooky and amusing. The many fight scenes that the karate trained Ria engages in our raucous fun complete with title cards introducing the combatants. Whilst the unbelievable plot behind the mysterious marriage are counterbalanced by the very real concerns about societal norms in the community around marriage. 

Alongside the excellent Priya Kansara and Ritu Arya there is also a really fun performance from Nimra Bucha who you may have seen recently in Ms. Marvel. 

If I was being picky I would say that it felt like it outstayed its welcome a little running at 103 minutes but overall it’s a lot of fun.