As we head past spring showers into May flowers, the plethora of entertainment options start to widen. Even with the impending writers’ strike in Hollywood, enough material is in the can so as to stem any hiatus. Summer movie season is just around the corner. However, before that glut of cinematic cheese clogs up the multiplex, let’s look at some smaller films. These entries offer us some new perspectives as well as fresh takes on old stories from a female perspective.
Polite Society comes to us from first time feature director Nida Manzoor. Known more for directing Doctor Who and her series We Are Lady Parts for HBO, she brings quippy humor and wild camera work to this story of two sisters. Ria Khan is a Pakistani British teen, dreaming of one day becoming a stuntwoman. She goes to a prestigious high school which she hates, but loves the taekwondo classes and practices endlessly at home.
Her sister Lena, on the other hand, failed out of art academy and is struggling with what she should do next. She helps Ria with her internet stunt videos and worries about her future when she can’t put ideas to canvas. But after attending an Eid Mubarak party (fitting this being released right after Ramadan), Lena is introduced to the host’s son Salim. Ria gets bad vibes off him, but Lena goes on a date. And then another turns into another, until Lena and Salim get engaged. And Ria starts to see this as detrimental to Lena’s progress.
Both Priya Kansara and Ritu Arya work off each other so well, you believe they can be sisters. With a tale hinging on their chemistry one wrong move would have broken the illusion. The rest of the cast is game including their amiable parents. The scene stealer goes to Nimra Bucha as Salim’s mother Raheela. Playing the most devious soon-to-be-in-law, she is a delight every time she is on screen. One particular scene involving her and Ria during a spa day was rather memorable, both suspenseful and hilarious.
Some critics dismissed this as part of a wave of post-Everything Everywhere fodder. After watching it I can see why some would think that. That is just seeing the forest for the trees however. Yes, does Nanzoor have influences? That is a fact, but the Oscar-winning feature might not be one of them. Bend It Like Beckham comes to mind. A dash of My Big Fat Greek Wedding comes out in places. But just looking at the tagline, it is clear she is pulling from John Carpenter’s Big Trouble in Little China. In order not to spoil aspects of the film, this is what makes up the bulk of the wild and entertaining second half. See this if it is still out there in theaters.
Streaming at home on Disney+, Peter Pan and Wendy is yet another in the house of mouse’s live-action remakes. Going into this I didn’t have many high hopes. But there was a silver lining in the form of director David Lowery. Not only has he put out two of my favorites A Ghost Story and The Green Knight, Lowery has also made what I think is the only good Disney remake Pete’s Dragon. Here he tries his best.
The script, co-written by Toby Halbrooks, lacks enough cohesion with plot threads darting off with no resolution. Jude Law as Captain Hook is an inspired choice, however the young man playing Peter doesn’t work well off him. There are some striking visuals such as the surreal way they get to Neverland. The pixie dust making Hook’s ship fly in the climax made for a truly breathtaking set piece.
All this is to be commended for Lowery, even some plot elements such as switching the focus to Wendy and her fear of growing up is great. So too is Hook’s backstory and explanation for his need to fight Peter. I just wish it had been in a tighter script that had room to breathe. But when it comes to Disney, having creative freedom comes at a price.
