Polite Society Analysis | Kicking a Mired Life to the Curb

Polite Society is an endearing, action-packed film that embellishes common tropes with its own unique touch. In the dramatic, Bollywood-infused, British teen world that Polite Society creates, we explore just how extreme mama’s boys can be, the life-changing power of good role models, and life-saving moments that don’t require a Prince Charming.

Polite Society Analysis

Polite Society follows Riya, a teen aspiring to be a stunt woman, who makes it her mission to stop her beloved sister, Lena, from marrying her suspicious new fiance.

*Heads Up There WILL be spoilers in this review.*

The Extreme Mama’s Boy

Polite Society takes the mama’s boy concept to the nth degree putting a twisted spin on a classic trope.

Salim, a successful bachelor in high demand, takes an interest in Riya’s sister Lena at the Eid Mubarak soirée and here we begin to see signs of Salim’s unhealthy attachment to his mother.

We see his mother grooming his face in between him talking up the ladies and stroking his head in her lap as they watch movies together.

Strange, but we’re not crossing any boundaries quite yet.

When Riya starts to become suspicious of Salim, we spend the whole movie wondering, “Is there really something wrong with this guy? OR is this all in Riya’s head?”

Yes, his relationship with his mother is a little too close for comfort but that’ll probably change once he gets married and moves away.

But NOPE. Instead, we find a mother so self-absorbed and possessive that she’s used her only son to fulfill her sick and twisted desire to clone herself.

She wants to use the womb of her son’s new wife as the unknowing surrogate for her clones using the same gestational process that killed Salim’s first wife.

Salim’s blind devotion and submission to his mother’s will, no matter how psychotic, presents him as a weak, spineless boy. Not the confident, accomplished 32-year-old doctor that society believes him to be.

His feeble foundation is made evidently clear when we see him whining to his mommy when he finds she’s taking too long to retrieve Lena from her wedding kidnapping.

Salim is not even able to be a voice of reason for his mother, maybe suggesting to her that cloning herself is not the answer to trying to live a more fulfilled life.

Maybe suggesting that just maybe putting a clone of yourself into an unconsenting person’s body is extremely unethical and immoral.

Especially as an educated scientist and doctor, he should be the first one to tell her this. But alas, we have a baby boy with no backbone.

Polite Society thrillingly dramatizes what a mother-son relationship without healthy boundaries looks like with Salim’s and his mother’s obnoxious, toxic relationship.

The Power of Role Models

It was important for Riya to see Lena excel in a non-conventional career, especially with them both coming from an immigrant family.

When Lena seems to give up on her artistic dreams, Riya begins to doubt whether her dreams were even possible. Learning that Lena felt as though she wasn’t good enough began to plant doubts in Riya’s head about being able to accomplish her own dreams.

Riya looks up to Lena so much and as someone with a big sister who I admire, I totally understand this dynamic. Whenever you see your older sibling excel in something, there’s this lightbulb in your head of, “Oh, that means I can do it too!”

This really expands the world of possibilities and your confidence in yourself.

In competition shows as well it’s so common to see parents stating that their reason for entering the competition is so that their kids see them being their best self. See their parent as a competitor, a winner, distinctly talented at what they do, and selected among the best.

There is power in representation and showing people who look like you all that is possible in life. To show that your dreams are not so far out of reach.

Rather than have some shirtless boy band posters on her wall, Riya instead looked up to the poster and the person of stunt woman Eunice Huthart. Working for the world’s most prestigious films, this female stuntwoman was everyday proof for Riya that her dream is absolutely tangible.

Her sister’s pursuit of the unconventional, as well as her videography support, and Eunice’s example of what is possible for female stuntwomen are what keep Riya’s fire alive among the sea of doubt and unbelief she experiences from her parents, teachers, and schoolmates.

Feminist Themes

Rarely do you see a teen, coming-of-age story that lacks a love interest, but the main character in Polite Society, Riya, is too focused on her own self-actualization to consider letting romantic infatuation get in the way.

Riya is fiercely self-driven and not concerned with how she’s received romantically. She’s adamant about her sister following her dreams and being more than someone else’s wife because she wants to know that it’s possible for herself too.

By the end of the film, we see the day saved by women and the sisters who both have each other.

A stark difference from your classic youth-driven film, there is no prom king or queen awarded, there is no special kiss, and there is no romance involved in the happily ever after.

Instead, Riya finally get’s an email response from her stuntwoman role model who encourages her to keep following her dreams and even invites her to brunch.

Riya and her older sister Lena find solace in each other and protect each other.

This story focuses on being one’s best self and surrounding yourself with people that edify that. It rejects the notion of sacrificing yourself for the actualization of another person.

Written and directed by a woman herself, Nida Manzoor, the feminist undertones of the narrative are strong yet not overpoweringly so and neither is it male-bashing.

Praises

This film emulates the cheesy high school dramatics of a tween, coming-of-age, kinda silly vibe.
In the same vein, The characters were also super lovable, particularly Riya. The perfect mix of awkward, feisty, headstrong, confident, cute, and crazy.

I can easily see a whole Disney or Nick teen show centered around her as an aspiring stuntwoman. It’s actually too easy to envision it. Her dynamic with her sister Lena as well held a really natural, endearing chemistry which was lovely to see.

Her friends looked like they just stepped out of a diversity catalog when they stood together but the film was self-aware in its trope-iness: “There’s a reason why tropes are tropes. It’s because they work.”

Salim’s mother ate her role as well. Fiercely sharp, confident, a beautiful snake.

Notable Quotes

“I may have a magnificent womb but your d*ck is distinctly average.” (proceeds to kick Salim in the groin repeatedly for long enough for me to lose my breath laughing)

Lena

“I am the fury.”

Riya

Criticisms

The big final fight scene looks like amateur hour.

It’s so messy, you can’t even really feel the thrill of the fight. Because the mood of the film is so light-hearted and unserious, the lack of cleanliness can be dismissed as a contribution to the humor.

However, tight fight choreography would not have made this movie any less hilarious, just more visually impressive.

In Conclusion…

Polite Society elevated your standard teen comedy and brought on a heightened reality where mama’s boys are simply vehicles for their mother’s craziness, role models make or break your destiny, and Prince Charming is the one who actually ruins the day rather than saves it.

With a pertinent feminist undertone, lovable characters, and a fresh execution of nostalgic tropes, Polite Society is an easy, pleasant, feel-good watch.

Rating 7.2/10

What did you think of the Polite Society? Let me know in the comments below!

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Peace, love, and lots of popcorn,

IMO