Written by James Reilly – Student Pages Entertainment Journalist/Film Critic
Film Rating:
★★★★★
The Big Sick, written by Kumail Nanjiani and Emily V. Gordon (based on their real life experiences), the film also stars Kumail in the title role as a Pakistani born comedian who’s family moved to the USA and his turbulent time navigating the world of love amongst his families tradition of arranged marriage. But things aren’t that simple. Not only does he fall in love with a white American girl, going against his families wishes of arranging his marriage to a variety of Pakistani Muslim girls. This same girl falls ill and placed into an induced coma. “Love is tough, but I guess that’s why they call it love.”
The film is charming straight off the back with its intelligent, hilarious script. The supporting characters that populate the world are some of the most memorable characters from a film I’ve seen, with personalities and scenes that make you literally laugh out loud (especially Bo Burnham who was a particular highlight, but then again, I am a huge fan of his).
When their relationship stars to blossom, falter and get strained under the expectations of family and religion, I got carried away with their life and characteristics. I was at the screenwriters mercy, and while there was some obvious emotional cues that you could see coming it didn’t matter, it may sound cliché, but the ride was worth it.
I don’t have a lot to say, unlike some of my other reviews. The film was perfectly executed (minus the one time they use the word “dookie” which sounded weird to my British ears), and was just a charming, hilarious night out at the cinema. The film was smart, funny and in this time of religious prejudice and persecution there was some especially poignant jokes that hit hard and true, and made this film one of the most important as well as hilarious of the year.
Follow James at @JamesisGinger
