Movie Review: ‘The Big Sick’

By Giuseppe Mastrobuono

“The Big Sick”, a romantic comedy set in the city of Chicago, tells the confused story of Kumail (Kumail Nanjiani), an aspiring stand-up comedian who meets Emily (Zoe Kazan), a graduate student at The University of Chicago one night at a local comedy club after one of his performances.

They leap into a romantic relationship which is then abruptly thwarted when Emily discovers that Kumail’s family struggles to arrange a marriage for him with a Pakistani Muslim girl. His failure to comply with his parents’ wishes would mean banishment. Not wanting to destroy his family, Emily decides that the relationship must end and the two part ways—emotionally distraught.

Kumail’s feelings for Emily change when she is hospitalized with a serious infection and must be put into a medically-induced coma. During her absence he “realizes” that he loves her while simultaneously bonding with her parents Terry and Beth.

Although the humorous banter can be entertaining, actors Nanjiani and Kazan deliver weak performances, failing to create a believable and heart-felt love scenario. Their connection happens too fast. Kumail’s discovery that he loves Emily while she is not even conscious is highly unrealistic.

The most redeeming element of “The Big Sick” is the portrayal of Kumail’s relationship with his overbearing and controlling family. The dialogues between Kumail, his parents, and his brother at the dinner table are witty, providing the audience with an authentic inside look at a traditional Pakistani family living in present day America and struggling with the differing cultural and social values. On the downside, Kumail’s Pakistani terrorist jokes are cliché, losing their appeal after the second or third time.

Emily’s father Terry is played by Ray Romano, whose intensity and directness is a refreshing contrast to the flat acting of Nanjiani and Kazan. His character is real and identifiable. Kumail and Terry bond organically; their man to man conversations are deep and meaningful. Holly Hunter’s performance as Emily’s mother, however, is less than riveting and at times affected.

The story is set in Chicago, but could actually be any major American city. There is little cinematography displaying the settings, architecture, and unique cosmopolitan flavor of one the country’s most beautiful cities.

Overall, “The Big Sick” is fun and entertaining, but misses the mark on the serious side of the plot and story line. The love relationship between main characters Kumail and Emily is sidetracked and the audience is left hanging. As the story comes to a close, the true nature of Kumail and Emily’s love remains vague and diluted.

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