Thursday, July 27, 2017

The Big Sick

Starring: Kumail Nanjiani, Zoe Kazan, Ray Romano, Holly Hunter
Director: Michael Showalter
Running Time:2 hours
Rating: R


This movie is so good. It's kind of flying under the summer blockbuster radar right now, but if you're like me, and not really into summer blockbusters, "The Big Sick" is the perfect ticket. It's clever, not your predictable romantic comedy, and the chemistry between main and supporting characters is palpable. It's a comedic take on a sensitive topic - a Pakistani boy and a white, American girl fall for each other, to his family's dismay. The film was actually written by real-life couple Kumail Nanjiani and Emily V. Gordon, chronicling their real-life romance. I'm glad it worked out for the two of them. This film is fantastic.

Kumail plays a modern-day version of himself: Uber driver by day, stand-up comic hopeful by night. He meets Emily, a graduate student, NOT interested in dating. Hangouts and hookups turn into dates (obviously) and soon enough, they are "official". Things take a turn when Emily finds a box of headshots of potential wives for Kumail, while tries to explain that it's his mother's doing, not his. Tensions that had been simmering are now bubbling over the pot. Things fall apart and the two split up.

When Emily falls terribly ill and is put into a medically-induced coma, Kumail is at the hospital nearly everyday with Emily's parents. Ray Romano and Holly Hunter are a romantic comedy match made in heaven. I guess you could pair Ray Romano with anyone and they would be funny, but I am so impressed with Holly Hunter's comedic chops! Note to self - go back and watch more of her films, even the dramas! Emily's parents don't like that Kumail is hanging around the hospital - he did hurt their daughter after all - but the three bond over this tragedy and soon friendships are formed.

It's no spoiler to say that Emily survives the coma and ends up with Kumail. But there are several one-liners, plot twists and cameos that I won't reveal. Though it gets a little slow in the middle (most of the scenes take place in a hospital waiting room), stick with it. I'll remember this heart-warming story of love overcoming all for a long time.

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