A work of comedic genius The Big Sick tells the tale of falling for someone without the cinematic level of gushiness. What’s better is that it’s based on a real-life-story (broadly speaking), and you won’t believe your eyes and ears in seeing it – and maybe you won’t want to. Some parts leaving you to hide under your jacket both in its awkwardness, to the snotty-nosed tears of laughter that’ll suddenly hit you.
The film follows Kumail, a comedian who’s struggling with everything in his life including the managing of his two jobs; one as an uber-driver, the other as a stand-up comic at a local comedy club – his material stale when compared to his natural funny-bone personality. The film being anything but shy with his quick one-liners and sharp retorts, which extend to his family – another area of Kumail’s life he’s struggling with. Feeling forced to act out a daily schedule of lies, he feels the effect spilling out from his family and onto his new love interest – the equally witty Emily. But just as their story seemingly comes to an end, a sudden and unknown illness brings their paths back into collision, leaving Kumail to make a difficult medical decision.
Guilt predictably follows, with Kumail wrapped tightly inside of it – accompanied only by the growing realisation of the relationship he’s risked. These feelings are only increased when Emily’s parents arrive, and so what soon follows is a round of turbulence; chaos, solace and head clashing, but all with plenty of laughs, and maybe a tissue or two.
The main leads, Kumail Nanjiani who plays himself and Zoe Kazan as Emily, are a great comedic duo, their banter smooth and flawless, their chemistry endearingly sweet, and their range of emotions moving you with them. The supporting actors are also fantastic in their roles, but it’s Zenobia Shroff as Kumail’s mum who stands the most apart – conveying her emotions with great honesty. Making her captivating to watch and definitely a scene stealer, as was Holly Hunter who played Emily’s mum. In truth I wasn’t so sure about Ray Romano as Emily’s dad, feeling that he will always be the character he played in the hit series Everybody Loves Raymond. Despite there being some similarities between the two characters, by the end of the film I came around to finding him perfect for the role of Emily’s father; concerned, friendly and feeling a little alone.
The Big Sick is a general crowd-pleaser, and perfect for whatever mood you’re in, for it certainly covers them all.
Director: Michael Showalter
Other notable works:
- I Love That for You 2022 –
- The Dropout 2022
- Search Party 2016-2022
- Hello, My Name is Doris 2015
Writer: Kumail Nanjiani
Other notable works:
- Little America 2020 –
Writer: Emily V. Gordon
Other notable works:
- Little America 2020 –
- Crashing 2017-2019
Spoiler alert:
The scriptwriters are none other than Kumail Nanjiani and his wife Emily V. Gordon, with the film telling their story. I didn’t know this going in because I purposefully choose not to look up any details before seeing a movie, and so it was a pleasant reveal at the end. However, had I previously known it wouldn’t have lessened the film in anyway, and it certainly made the second watching a different experience.
