Slick Sick a big winner
However, it seemed neither could get enough of one another – the coupling surviving his B-grade horror movie obsession, her middle-of-thenight bowel movements, even his lessthan-impressive semiautobiographical one-man show.
That the relationship eventually seemingly fizzles out is as much to do with the revelation that she was once married than with his secret box full of photos of prospective brides his parents have tried to set him up with. And the fact he won’t introduce her to his family or agree to meet hers. The latter though is something Kumail can’t prevent when he’s called in by Emily’s friends to help with a crisis.
Inspired by Nanjiani and co-writer Emily Gordon’s own heartwarming and wrenching story, The Big Sick provides a welcome shot of innovation and intelligence into the ailing romcom genre.
Sure it’s arguably While You Were Sleeping-meets-East is East (with a side order of Judd Apatow’s Funny People), but director Michael Showalter does a fine up of balancing the laughs with the pathos, the puerile with the laudable sentiments.
He’s ably assisted in this by a fine cast that also includes veterans Holly Hunter (The Piano) and Ray Romano (Everybody Loves Raymond), British actor Adeel Aktar (a scene-stealer as Kumail’s brother).
This is a movie that some may feel outstays its welcome, but it uses that extra time well to flesh out all of its characters and chart a relationship through a rollercoaster of emotions, feelings and misunderstandings.
A timeless and timely look at love in all of its complicated forms, The Big Sick also examines parental sacrifice and the immigrant’s dilemma of assimilation versus tradition.
Just as importantly though, it’s an entrancing, endearing and entertaining way to spend a couple of hours. - James Croot