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This uniquely charming tale is being described as a “romantic comedy,” and perhaps in the broadest possible sense it is—but it’s more accurate to think of it as a richly affecting relationship comedy. That’s because the romantic relationship—between struggling standup comedian Kumail Nanjiani (playing himself) and his future wife, Emily (Zoe Kazan), written by the couple and based on their actual courtship—is a relatively small portion of the story, especially once Emily develops a serious medical condition that puts her into a coma. Even better material emerges in Kumail’s interactions with Emily’s parents (a predictably wonderful Holly Hunter and startlingly great Ray Romano), and conflicts with his own first-generation Pakistani-American parents (Anupam Kher and Zenobia Shroff), who expect him to follow tradition into an arranged Pakistani marriage. Every one of the relationships feels complex, fully-realized and honest, with Nanjiani delivering a strong performance as he tries to find his own place between two worlds. It’s funny, yes, and occasionally even romantic. More significantly, though, it always feels heartfelt and true, recognizing how often a love story is never as simple as “boy meets girl.”
Official Site: www.thebigsickmovie.com
Director: Michael Showalter
Producer: Judd Apatow, Barry Mendel, Jeremy Walker, Kumail Nanjiani, Emily Gordon, Glen Basner and Ben Browning
Cast: Kumail Nanjiani, Zoe Kazan, Holly Hunter, Ray Romano, Anupam Kher, Zenobia Shroff, Adeel Akhtar, Bo Burnham, Aidy Bryant, Kurt Braunohler, Vella Lovell, Myra Lucretia Taylor, Jeremy Shamos, David Grier, Ed Herbstman, Shenaz Treasurywala, Rebecca Jones, Kuhoo Verma, Mitra Jouhari, Celeste Arias and Shana Solomon
Director: Michael Showalter
Producer: Judd Apatow, Barry Mendel, Jeremy Walker, Kumail Nanjiani, Emily Gordon, Glen Basner and Ben Browning
Cast: Kumail Nanjiani, Zoe Kazan, Holly Hunter, Ray Romano, Anupam Kher, Zenobia Shroff, Adeel Akhtar, Bo Burnham, Aidy Bryant, Kurt Braunohler, Vella Lovell, Myra Lucretia Taylor, Jeremy Shamos, David Grier, Ed Herbstman, Shenaz Treasurywala, Rebecca Jones, Kuhoo Verma, Mitra Jouhari, Celeste Arias and Shana Solomon
