The Big Sick (2017)

Pakistan-born comedian Kumail Nanjiani and grad student Emily Gardner fall in love but struggle as their cultures clash. When Emily contracts a mysterious illness, Kumail finds himself forced to face her feisty parents, his family's expectations, and his true feelings.

Jess' Review

Not being the biggest fan of romcoms, I was pleasantly surprised to find that The Big Sick had far more going for it than just a simple, quirky love story. It has that too, of course. But it had a lot more to actually explore, including themes of religion, life and death, family dynamics and following your dreams. Still a little corny, maybe, but executed with a realism that I was thankful for. Too often do I feel totally alienated and nauseated by gooey romances, so this was delightfully refreshing.

The Big Sick follows Kumail Nanjiani, playing himself, in the loosely real-life recounting of his romance with Emily (Zoe Kazan). Whilst I’m sure there’s plenty of embellishment for cinematic purposes, I find it bold, and a little admirable, of Najiani to be so frank about his personal experiences. I didn’t find the film quite as emotional as I’d expected (save one or two scenes towards the finale), but it does seem quite raw at times. Genuine, perhaps is a better descriptive. Especially in regards to the friction caused from Kumail‘s family at their sons rebellion against Pakistani traditions.

The first half seemed slow to me. The pacing was a bit off and something that I can’t quite pinpoint was really deterring me. Perhaps I felt like it was trying too hard. The jokes seemed forced and didn’t land all too gracefully. But the mood was light, and it was engaging enough, though a little bland for my test.

Now, this changes with the arrival of the wonderful Ray Romano and Holly Hunter as Emily’s parents. For me, they’re the highlight of the film. Their honest performances of the sometimes-strained couple are wholly relatable, and as standalone characters they illicit the biggest laughs.

But aside from a slightly less orthodox plot line, the film still remains fairly predictable. There are some twists that keep it interesting, but for the most part The Big Sick isn’t anything particularly groundbreaking. It has a certain charm, excellent performances and some complex characters - yet to me, it’s still a boy-meets-girl story at its core. And personally, that just isn’t quite exciting enough for me as a film.

The Big Sick is an easy watch with some laughs and for some viewers, perhaps a few tears. But alas, it’s just another romcom.

6/10

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Sam's Review

Spite is a harsh word. I didn't choose a romcom to spite Jess. I didn't. I chose it because I am a fan of Kumail Nanjiani, and I wanted something a bit lighter after watching The Platform. Maybe Jess will even enjoy it...?

The first 30 minutes pass by, and I start to worry that I am just punishing myself. Feeling like a typical romcom, the start drags. And while the cast is charming, and there are a few chuckles in there, I begin to feel duped. The chemistry between Kumail, who co-wrote this with his wife, based upon their actual lives, and Zoe Kazan is palpable, but the whole thing feels bog-standard. Then Kazan's Emily falls ill, and her parents (played by Ray Romano and Holly Hunter) burst into the scene, and the film feels invigorated. It is well cast, and the actors are brilliant, though my favourite is Romano's Terry Gardner who comes across as a strangely charming blend of dopey and caring.

The differentiating factor between The Big Sick and so many other romcoms is that there are real stakes here. Emily may die, and so Kumail is forced to confront his feelings knowing that he may well lose her. That is summed up nicely in one heartfelt scene as he sits by her bedside and gently asks her to pull through. This is so often lost in other films, where the biggest stake is that the main character may have to, brace yourselves, date somebody else.

There is also the cultural differences that Kumail confronts, as his parents wish him to marry a Pakistani and refuse to accept the idea of dating an American. It is an authentic insight into another culture, though in typical Hollywood fashion it's role is limited to a sub-plot at best. While it does impact the plot, I would have enjoyed delving into the internal conflict more.

It doesn't break the mould, and follows similar patterns to other romantic comedies. Yet, The Big Sick has a lot going for it. It's charming, authentic and heartfelt. The characters have actual depth, and there's a lot going on. Opposed to the usual tackiness that comes with the genre, this is truly a story of love.

7/10