The Big Sick Reviewed
There's a saying in screenwriting: just because it actually happened doesn't mean you can write about it. Sometimes the truth is so unbelievable it can take the audience out of a project as they look at the screen and say to themselves 'Really?' I am usually on board with this theory. However, when I see a movie like The Big Sick I'm willing to forgive any messy truths that might be included in the story because what we see is a very sweet and endearing project.
The Big Sick is a mostly autobiographical story about Kumail Nanjiani and his girlfriend at the time Emily (Zoe Kazan). Kumail is from Pakistan and driving for Uber while trying to be a successful stand-up comic. During one of his shows, he gets heckled by Emily, which provides a nice meet-cute and a little cute meeting, if you know what I mean (they have sex). And while Kumail likes Emily, he knows his parents expect him to marry a Pakistani woman. This leads to a big blow-out fight where they break-up and she tells him not to call her again and he doesn't – until she winds up in the hospital.
At times it felt weird to laugh at the movie, especially when the situation is life or death. When you are laughing at the story's uncomfortable moments you may find yourself looking around to see if anyone is giving you the side eye. Kumail's writing and jokes are funny enough that sometimes you forget where you are.
The Big Sick is a mostly autobiographical story about Kumail Nanjiani and his girlfriend at the time Emily (Zoe Kazan). Kumail is from Pakistan and driving for Uber while trying to be a successful stand-up comic. During one of his shows, he gets heckled by Emily, which provides a nice meet-cute and a little cute meeting, if you know what I mean (they have sex). And while Kumail likes Emily, he knows his parents expect him to marry a Pakistani woman. This leads to a big blow-out fight where they break-up and she tells him not to call her again and he doesn't – until she winds up in the hospital.
At times it felt weird to laugh at the movie, especially when the situation is life or death. When you are laughing at the story's uncomfortable moments you may find yourself looking around to see if anyone is giving you the side eye. Kumail's writing and jokes are funny enough that sometimes you forget where you are.
After this I am hopeful we will see a lot more of Kumail Nanjiani
Kumail gives a great performance in the lead role. His real-life personality comes across on screen and it's easy to see why he is likable. If you’ve never heard his stand up or heard him tell a joke, I suggest you do so because he's one of my favorite comedians working right now.
Holly Hunter and Ray Romano are also fantastic as Emily's parents. They have a fairly large amount of screen time and serve as the surrogate for Emily as she is stuck in the hospital. Romano goes beyond his awkward sitcom dad role and is able to add some depth thanks to the background his character is given. Holly Hunter gives what may be my favorite performance in the movie as Emily's strong-willed mother. Her relationship with her daughter felt intimate, even in small moments like the touching of a face. It all felt genuine.
The Big Sick feels a little bit like the Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Seth Rogen movie 50/50. But that was a good movie too and it was great to see something like that again. And while there are similar beats, it never feels like a direct copy because – well – it really happened. Perhaps that's not a good enough reason to forgive any of the story's minor missteps, such as how plot points at time feel too convenient. The honesty portrayed makes it hard not to root for everyone in one of the best romantic-dramedies I've seen in some time. A-
Holly Hunter and Ray Romano are also fantastic as Emily's parents. They have a fairly large amount of screen time and serve as the surrogate for Emily as she is stuck in the hospital. Romano goes beyond his awkward sitcom dad role and is able to add some depth thanks to the background his character is given. Holly Hunter gives what may be my favorite performance in the movie as Emily's strong-willed mother. Her relationship with her daughter felt intimate, even in small moments like the touching of a face. It all felt genuine.
The Big Sick feels a little bit like the Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Seth Rogen movie 50/50. But that was a good movie too and it was great to see something like that again. And while there are similar beats, it never feels like a direct copy because – well – it really happened. Perhaps that's not a good enough reason to forgive any of the story's minor missteps, such as how plot points at time feel too convenient. The honesty portrayed makes it hard not to root for everyone in one of the best romantic-dramedies I've seen in some time. A-
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