The Big Sick

It's been a bit since I've seen a strong indie film (assuming you're not including Baby Driver in that mix) though I admit it's kind of out of season for them.

I've been hearing about The Big Sick for a while now and after some cute trailers and frequently positive word of mouth, I wanted to check it out. 

Now, every once in a while I come across a film that I just cant write all that much about. It usually isn't indicative of if it's really good or really bad -- I can usually get fairly hefty posts from those films -- but instead it indicates a film that, at least for me, is just there. 

I very much enjoyed this film and it has many good qualities with almost no bad ones. I even connected with it to a certain degree and was invested in its characters and story. For the life of me though, I couldn't see myself seeking out to watch it again (not necessarily a bad thing) and it didn't quite do anything that blew me away. 

My very weird musings aside however, The Big Sick is a delightful romantic comedy, a really stellar date movie for anyone looking for one, and a star turn for Kumail Nanjiani.

The Big Sick is touchingly based on Nanjiani's real life love story with his wife Emily. Clearly, Nanjiani is Pakistani and that fact plays a heavy role in the film. The Big Sick does a fantastic job joking about the culture while not leaving anyone in the dust (aka someone like me who's unfamiliar with most of its attributes) but also remaining true to the culture as it relates to many young Pakistani's today. If you're the type of person that lumps all brown people together as terrorists this A) certainly isn't your film B) is cause for immediate concern and you should become less ignorant and C) the film will make fun of you, deservedly so. Anyway, Kumail is a stand-up comic trying to make it big and meets Emily who is white and certainly not one of the many arranged dates that his parents set up with young, Pakistani women. Cultures clash and eventually Emily gets very sick, hence the title, opening the way for Kumail to figure out what's really important to him in his life. The "real" story behind all of this makes it all the more touching and this really is a sweet, endearing film with a plot that feels unique to this genre. 

This movie kind of reminded me of Master of None
because of the accuracy of its portrayal of modern day romance

"I thought everyone loved Raymond.
But life is cruel..."

There are many laughs throughout the film, though none of them are gut-busters. I genuinely had a smile on my face most of the time and I can't think of any jokes that fell super flat, but really there was only one that I would have done a spit-take on. I'm not disappointed in the level of comedy at all, though I do wish there were a handful of more laughs mainly because Nanjiani and Kazan (plays Emily) have such great chemistry and timing with each other. Also providing ample laughs are Emily's parents played by Ray Romano and Holly Hunter. Their chemistry with Kumail is equally as impressive and the film expertly navigates the awkward waters of meeting your significant other's parents. It's these interaction's truthfully that get the most laughs with a 9/11 joke, of all things, eliciting the biggest laughs from me. I also have to say I appreciated the ability to reign in the crudeness given the talent involved. I feel like Apatow usually can go to some gross (yet still very funny places) but that's not the case here and I think it would have been unfitting given the overall tone and subject matter.

The Big Sick really shines because of its cast though. Nanjiani impresses and can certainly lead a film with his quick wit, super soothing voice, and presence. As I mentioned earlier, this is a star turn for him and he deserves it because the talent is there. Hunter and Romano also impress from both a dramatic and comedic angle with each of them having more than a handful of scenes that could make you tear up, laugh, or both. A lot has been said about their supporting performances getting awards talk and I can see why because it's both some of their best work. The remaining cast fairs a little worse unfortunately. Zoe Kazan (Emily) and Kumail's family are all rockstars, but his comedic buddies usually just aren't that funny. That's strange to me because in Apatow films (granted, he's just a producer) usually some of the side characters are the funniest.

I really appreciated The Big Sick for just being a film that feels truthful. It's realistic in its portrayal of romance, it's genuine in how it approaches cultures and modern day reactions to them, and it's refreshingly amusing for the entire 2.25 hours. It's hard to level any complaints on it, which is a rarity, and it's a film I absolutely recommend, even if I wouldn't really need to watch it again. At least for a single view though, it's a true delight.

CONS

• Maybe personal, but it wasn't as funny as I'd hoped
• A little long
• Some side characters fair better than others. Kumail's comedian friends, ironically, aren't all that funny 

PROS

• Kumail Nanjiani can lead a comedy and this will definitely be a big film for him. He's charming and often a delight to watch on screen. He has good chemistry with literally everyone
• Romano and Hunter are the MVPs as Emily's parents. They expertly deliver comedic and dramatic moments while still appearing to be the "everyman" that the film wants them to be
• Consistently funny/amusing without hardly any jokes falling flat
• Approaches culture and differences between them respectfully, but with some great humor
• Cute as a date movie with poignant moments of drama. It excels as a "dramedy" for sure
• Well paced and organized. I appreciated how it gave the dramatic, somewhat tense moments room to breath
• Being based on a true story adds a lot of charm to an already very charming film

Rath's Review Score | 8.5/10