THE BIG SICK

Pakistan-born comedian Kumail Nanjiani and grad student Emily Gordon fall in love but struggle as their cultures clash. When Emily contracts a mysterious illness, Kumail finds himself forced to face her feisty parents, his family’s expectations, and his true feelings.

One of the better romantic comedies to hit our screens in recent times. Wasn’t has hard-edged as I think it could have been, but it shows that there’s some life left in this genre. Kumail Nanjiani plays himself and Zoe Kazan, who plays Emily Gordon, the love interest, are both great as they navigate their cross-cultural relationship that causes ripples of tension throughout Kumail’s family. Ray Romano brings his brilliant comedic sensibilities as the father of Emily and he and Kumail work well off of each other. This is a charming movie that will have wide appeal and, the fact that it a true story, makes it even more appealing. A much better take on a “meet the parents moment” than that “other” one.