The Big Sick Movie Review: Those Awkward Moments
It’s great to be young and in love!
Ah, who can remember those giddy early days of romance?
The tenderness, the passion and… at times… the very awkward moments.
First farts, first time meeting the beloved’s family… oh dear…. what was most awkward for you?
And, is it just me, or do a very years of hard core parenting somewhat take the gloss off that first flush of romance?
I always say that love is not dead in our relationship, merely comatose.
Apt considering this film.
If, like us, you need to pep up of your passion, with a great big dose of hilarity, do go and see the new Judd Apatow film, The Big Sick.
Brought to you by Roadshow Films
The Big Sick is a romcom telling the story of a Pakistani-born comedian and his girlfriend Emily, who gets sick and is put into an induced coma. And yes, there really can be a lot of humour in that.
There are many awkward moments shown in the movie, which threw up some cringeworthy memories for me!
Young love, circa 1995… awwwww
Our Own Most Awkward Moment
For me, it was meeting the in-laws for the first time.
I’m trying to make a good impression… and not to show my tummy too much…. because … oh dear…. I was about 14 weeks pregnant.
To tell or not to tell on the first meeting??
I could barely breathe and trying to make sensible conversation was excruciating.
Eventually I blabbed it out and after a bit of a silence everyone started chatting again.
People were very happy that Paul was going to be a dad as they’d been worrying that he’d never find the girl of his dreams. It was me!
Zoe Kazan as “Emily” and Kumail Najiani as “Kumail” in THE BIG SICK. Photo by Sarah Shatz.
The Big Sick
Variety called it: “a perfectly charming film that morphs into something completely riveting”.
What a relief to get away from gross out comedy. Instead here’s a romantic comedy that is very honest, gutsy, smart and a touch whimsical too.
The Big Sick tells the almost entirely true story of its co-writer and star Kumail Nanjiana and his wife Emily V Gordon, played in the film by Zoe Kazan.
Emily really did spend almost two weeks in a coma whilst they were dating. Kumail’s family, who had moved to the US when Kumail was 18, really did expect him to marry a Pakistani girl in an arranged marriage.
There are layers of tension, and issues of honesty, deceit and what binds a family.
Both sets of parents are deeply flawed humans, yet funny, warm and impassioned too. Holly Hunter as Emily’s mum is the standout.
From L to R: Holly Hunter as “Beth,” Ray Romano as “Terry” and Kumail Nanjiani as “Kumail” in THE BIG SICK. Photo by Nicole Rivelli.
For me, it’s marvellous to know that many parts of the movie are absolutely true: Kumail is a stand-up comic and met Emily as she watched a show when she heckled him.
If truth is stranger than fiction then true romance is funnier than fictitious romance too.
Judd Apatow is the producer, by the way, he of The 40-Year-Old Virgin, This is 40, Trainwreck, Bridesmaids, Anchorman and more.
From L to R: Adeel Akhtar “Naveed,” Anupam Kher as “Azmat” and Kumail Nanjiani as “Kumail” in THE BIG SICK. Photo by Nicole Rivelli.
Rotten Tomatoes score is 98%
Rolling Stone said “Not just the funniest rom-com in years, it’s one of 2017’s best films”
If you need your heart warmed and your sense of humour tickled, do call a babysitter and go to see The Big Sick.
It’s a great film to watch with your partner. It’ll remind you of when you fell in love; the warmth, the tenderness, passion and those dreaded awkward moments.
Have you seen The Big Sick?
Is your own relationship a bit comatose, like mine?
Happy viewing,