While You Were Sleeping: Review of The Big Sick

The Big Sick

Director: Michael Showalter

By Alex Watson

Based on the real-life relationship of star Kumail Nanjiani and his wife Emily V. Gordon (also co-writers of the film) there are not many films as touching and authentic as The Big Sick. Its genre is tough to define because it walks the line between romantic comedy and emotional drama. Director Michael Showalter brilliantly showcases both the unique humour and heavy sadness that fill this movie.

Kumail (Kumail Nanjiani) is a struggling Chicago stand-up whose strict father (Anupam Kher) and mother (Zenobia Shroff) are hoping to marry off. Wanting to live his own life, one night he meets the charming Emily (Zoe Kazan), who hopes to be a therapist. Although their relationship blooms, the risk of his families disapproval becomes too great. Ending their relationship- Emily soon falls into a coma due to an infection and a distraught Kumail must now contend with her parents Terry (Ray Romano) and Beth (Holly Hunter).

Although they make a small alteration to the portrayal of their relationship, most of what Nanjiani and Gordon show of their relationship is true. The Big Sick makes this pairing winning from the get-go with a meet-cute when Emily calls out during Kumail's gig. Playfully scolding her for 'heckling' him, the pair soon falls hard for each other despite Kumail's 'two-day' dating rule. The early part puts a big emphasis on the cultural barriers between the two. Forced by his mother to endure a number of 'surprise visits' from eligible Pakistani women- his family makes it clear he may only marry within his own culture. This confession to Emily is the first sign of the movie's sad feel and the break up that follows is devastating. However, this emotional punch is weak compared to the brutal one-two combo that follows.

The picture's real heart comes from the bonding between Kumail, Terry and Beth. Openly hostile to her ex at first, the pair merely wants him to go on his way and let them do the heavy lifting. Once the early anger subsides, all three clue into the fact they need to pull together. Much of the movie's humour comes from the most unlikely places- like Terry awkwardly mentioning 9/11 and Kumail's priceless response when asked about his stance "Oh anti- we lost 19 of our best guys!" Beth and Terry are going through own issues due to one of them having an extra-marital affair which has strained their marriage. Kumail seems to be a healing factor for them as much he aids them to cope with the potential loss of Emily. One scene sees Beth passionately stand up for Kumail when he's racially heckled during a performance.

A portion of The Big Sick deals with Kumail attempting to find his own identity in America against his Pakistani Muslim upbringing. Refreshingly how Showalter shows his relationship with his family is done with great skill. Shown as affectionate people who love their son but are bound by rules and tradition. Kumail's desperately wants to please them but wrestles with wanting his own life. Even when not on screen his longing to reconnect with Emily is painful to watch. Showalter slowly builds up the emotion to almost boiling point which causes Kumail to have a meltdown during a key moment of stand-up "It's hard doing stand up while your girlfriend is in the hospital!" Few movies have one a better balancing act than this film and its a credit to the believable and heartfelt script of Nanjiani and Gordon.

Playing himself Nanjiani loses none of his likeability and this raw and honest depiction draws him to us throughout. A man torn between two different paths, Kumail wants to go his own way but risks losing those closest to him. Together with Zoe Kazan, the pair is quite possibly the loveliest couple to make their way on screen in 2017. Although her screen time is limited, Kazan's presence is felt even while absent. Making full use of her down to earth and sweet persona- she is utterly winning. Ray Romano and Holly Hunter also make great support as the bickering parents. A pair going through every parent's worst nightmare- both have scene's with Kumail that reveal the sweet-natured people that lie underneath the concern.

Not many movies will make you go through the entire emotional spectrum quite like The Big Sick. Proof that the smaller movies are starting to take over this summer- this is one I urge you to seek out.