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'The Big Sick' (15)

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****

DVD release

Budding comedian Kumail Nanjiani meets psychology student Emily at a bar after one of his sets, and a tentative relationship begins. Differences in their cultures and expectations are brought into perspective, however, when Emily contracts a serious infection and is placed into a medically-induced coma.

OK, readers - you're probably as surprised as I am to see a rom-com review being posted on my blog, but the truth is, I really, really like The Big Sick. Prompted to seek it out, I decided to sit down and watch it on one of those weird non-existent days between Christmas and New Year, and swiftly fell under its charm. Not only did I laugh consistently throughout, I actually cried more than once, and actually felt strangely optimistic about love by the end (I know - what on earth is wrong with me!?). 

I guess the main reason for this emotional response is that The Big Sick is actually far more than a rom-com - it's a witty, insightful study into the world of modern romance, in which a Pakistan-born man falls for a white woman whilst his parents try to set up an arranged marriage. It's so weirdly true in it's observations (from awkward questions about taking shoes off in the bedroom, to showing someone you like your favourite film, to self-consciousness about nakedness after sex), that you can't help but smile as the wonderful humanity of the whole situation. Even one of the more hurtful scenes (where one of our central couple liaises with another person) is painfully recognisable. Honest discussions about identity also feature, wherein Kumail responds to racist accusations and uncomfortable questions with dignity and touching good humour, and Kumail's family and the prospective wives are depicted as rounded, interesting characters, as opposed to the one-dimensional portrayals we are so often witness to. The initially fractious relationship between Kumail and Emily's parents is one of the key developments within the film, and it dealt with in an intelligent and knowing way.

Based on his real life experiences, Kumail Nanjiani (playing himself, warts and all) brings us a film that is both funny and emotional in equal measure. An honest reflection of life and all the many difficulties and opportunities, The Big Sick masquerades as a boy-meets-girl story, but slowly peels away the layers to reveal something far more insightful and refreshing, resulting in an experience that is wholly moving. Seek it out. 


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