Comedian and actor Kumail Nanjiani has been overdue an interesting leading role for some time, and he finally finds it in The Big Sick. All it took was a blatant mining of his life story to get it.
Or, the life story of he and his wife, Emily V. Gordon, should I say. The Big Sick is based on the couple’s real experience of Gordon becoming gravely ill at the start of their relationship, and being put into a medically induced coma. Not exactly the subject matter of hilarious and touching romantic comedies, I hear you say. Well, you’d be right, because The Big Sick isn’t really a rom-com. The layered, beautifully observed film focuses not just on the core romance, but on family dynamics and the journey of a man growing up.
Kumail is a struggling comedian when he meets the bright and funny Emily (Zoe Kazan). The two fall unexpectedly hard for each other, which is unfortunate seeing as Kumail’s parents insist that he marry a Pakistani Muslim girl of their choosing. Kumail’s parents aren’t portrayed harshly – they clearly care deeply for Kumail, and have made huge sacrifices for him. It’s Kumail’s refusal to be honest with them or Emily that causes tension in both relationships.
When Emily becomes ill, Kumail is joined in the hospital waiting room by her parents (Holly Hunter and Ray Romano), who aren’t immediately enamoured by the awkward stand-up who broke their daughter’s heart.
The Big Sick is messy and complex in a fantastic way, exuding a deeply-felt empathy for all its charming characters. The dynamics between comedians, lovers and families are all examined with humour and intimacy, while Kumail’s experience of being Pakistani and Muslim in America provides cutting cultural insight.
Charmingly geeky, whip-smart and emotionally revealing, The Big Sick is a gem.