Review: The Big Sick

​The Big Sick is the best romcom of 2017, hands down. Real, funny and heartwarming; The Big Sick comes in as a late-summer surprise full of rich rewards. 

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​Like most romantic comedies, they fall into the same dark routines full of formulaic relationships and lazy plot lines. Luckily, The Big Sick’s cross-cultural themes and appealing leads (the fantastic Kumail Nanjiani and the charming Zoe Kazan) help redefine the genre. Based on the real-life courtship between Kumail Nanjiani and Emily V. Gordon (screenwriter for the film); The Big Sick tells the story of Pakistan-born aspiring comedian Kumail (Nanjiani, himself), who connects with grad student Emily (Kazan), who is white, after one of his standup sets in Chicago, IL. Kumail and Emily’s connection sparks on contact.

​What they thought would be just a one-night stand blossoms into the real thing. So, after a series of back-and-forth, Kumail and Emily decide to date. Unfortunately, this complicates things for Kumail because his parents are traditional Pakistani Muslims, who believe in arranged marriage. Kumail begins to worry about telling his family, knowing they would disapprove and disown him. Emily discovers a cigar box, in Kumail’s room, which contains the pictures of all the Pakistani-women his parents have tried to set him up with.

Kumail tells Emily that he is uncertain about seeing a future with her, thus ending their relationship. But when Emily is beset with a mystery illness, it forces Kumail to navigate the medical crisis with her parents, Beth and Terry (a brilliant Holly Hunter and a funny Ray Romano) who he's never met. An emotional tug-of-war begins to develop in Kumail for his family and his heart, Emily. Director Michael Showalter (Hello, My Name is Doris) gives this romantic comedy depth and direction. Showing us real people, in real situations and how they overcome them together through life.

​This film will send you laughing and crying all at the same time. A dynamic movie with an enormous heart, The Big Sick is one of the best films to hit theaters this year. Kumail and Kazan are stellar, while Hunter, Romano, Anupam Kher, Zenobia Shroff and Adeel Akhtar all solely standout in their performances well. The dialog is crisp, while tapping into your inner heart. I loved The Big Sick and you will too. 

The Big Sick is rated R (Restricted). For language including some sexual references.