The Big Sick | Film Review

The romantic comedy has been a bastion of mediocrity for years. Slap two moderately engaging stars into the same frame, be sure to incorporate a best friend for each to bounce sexist ideology off of, force a smile or toss a few witty retorts between the couple, ram an obscene conflict into the finale act, and then ignore all semblance of logic and reason so they may lovingly embrace against all odds in the final reel. These films are more about love as a dreamlike state, stuffed with childhood innocence and a naïve approach to the world as we know it. They are an escape from the realism inherent to matters of the heart. The Big Sick has a soul aching to be more.

In a pseudo-biographical tale of his real-life marriage to co-writer Emily Gordon, Kumail Nanjiani stars as Kumail, a stand-up comic living life as a wannabe star, complete with a quirky roommate and classy inflatable mattress. Kumail is an average guy with a plan to achieve success as a comedian.

He is also torn between dual realities; his pursuit of the American dream, and his family’s demand that he live a more culturally submissive lifestyle. His weekly family dinner eventually devolves into yet another attempt from his parents (Anupam Kher and Zenobia Shroff) to find Kumail a suitable life-mate, as arranged marriages are an important aspect to his familial dynasty. Kumail treats the tradition respectfully, then casts the ideology out the proverbial window each time he returns home, carefully collecting each woman’s head shot in a cigar box.

Then into his club one night walks Emily (Zoe Kazan), a vivacious Caucasian woman full of wit and insight. Kazan brings Emily to life with a vividly natural portrayal of an independent woman not desperately searching for love and in complete control of her faculties. Once again, against the norm of romantic comedies.

Kumail and Emily establish a delightful courtship when Kumail’s dedication to family tradition ends their relationship abruptly. Emily takes it hard, Kumail simply moves on. It’s a harsh wake-up that this is not a typical rom-com, The Big Sick aims to feel more genuine, to establish something relatable.

Several weeks later, Emily becomes suddenly ill and circumstances bring Kumail back into the fold as her shining white knight…who places her into a medically-induced coma. From here on out, the film morphs into something fresh and unique. Emily’s parents (Holly Hunter and Ray Romano) arrive from out-of-town, and Kumail begins to forge an unlikely alliance, opening up further understanding about his own cultural diversity.

Kumail Nanjiani has had a successful career as “that guy in that thing” for several years, and now he’s taken center stage. With a wry and heartfelt delivery, Nanjiani echoes a more subdued leading man reminiscent of early ‘80s Tom Hanks (with notably less yelling). Even when he makes several questionable life choices, Nanjiani makes it increasingly difficult to do anything but sympathize with him. Kazan may carry half the screen time, but her effervescent glow fills the entirety of the film, as Emily’s plight remains in our thoughts. Both actors emerge wonderfully from bit parts and indie films here, and I can only hope Hollywood is taking note.

While both sets of parents deliver realistically moving performances, Romano and Hunter walk away with every scene they’re in. With Romano’s “aw shucks” demeanor, coupled with Hunter’s understandably volatile intensity, the years of an imperfect but loving relationship shine through. As they struggle with both their daughter’s unidentifiable illness, as well as a reluctant reliance on her ex-boyfriend for support, Romano and Hunter feel like the most sincere marriage on screen in years.

By reading the description, I understand your skepticism that this is indeed a comedy. Ironically, the endearing way it approaches family, love, and even illness, created an earnestness that results in more honest laughs than I could count. Unlike My Big Fat Greek Wedding and films of that ilk – where family and traditions align – the intent here is not to exaggerate or mock cultural differences, it is simply to expose the pressures and truth within them. To examine the human condition and what it is about a specific person that can spring within one’s self the revelation that the world is a much darker place without them in it, no matter the challenges. Yet, with them, it brings about endless possibilities.

Though it suffers a bit from Peter Jacksonitis as it tries to wrap up the final act, The Big Sick will open your eyes to a culture many have never witnessed and a couple that is more mainstream than Hollywood would typically care to admit. It is also a love I cannot wait to fall for again.