I had wanted to see The Big Sick since I heard the name and now I want to see it again for the razor sharp dialogue and the insights it provides. And, of course the humour.
Love isn't easy. That's why they call it love I thought. Maybe staying untethered isn't all that bad. But at the same time it has given me unrealistic expectations (and hope?) that other than my parents and friends someone significant will stand by me. Damn, I thought I was past this.
Spoilers ahead.
Would you stand by a very sick if not dying (but the threat is imminent) girl when you have just dated her for a couple of months, and broken up with her because you could see no future with her? Then, while waiting for her to wake up from a coma you realize you are in love, and willing to go that extra mile for her. I know! Truth is always stranger than fiction. Can this happen for real? Apparently, it has. Isn't cinema the fantasy that we escape to? I found out that this was the story of the writers Kumail Nanjiani and Emily Gordon around the time they started dating. I was done waiting for Augustus and now here comes this guy. How will real people match up to their standards? I realized that if I have to watch movies and read books I have to believe in things working out, and not be sister grim(m).
Emily doesn't magically go back to Kumail because she heard from her parents he stood by her during her illness. She takes her time to figure things out. He was there but she wasn't there there to witness it (Okay, how many theres is too many?). In a relationship two people have to be on the same page for it to work out and being in a coma does change things to say the least.
The intense scenes were done well by Zoe Kazan whereas Kumail Nanjiani looked like he was a throwing a fit or having a nervous breakdown but I have to say signing up with an acting coach was a good idea. Her parents played by Ray Romano and Holly Hunter (I dare you to see The Piano and not be in awe of her.) are superlative as Emily's parents.
The jokes about 9/11, ISIS and religion were really out there and it was brave of them to put it in the movie.Family, rejection, heartbreak,the question of race - all so wonderfully handled with humour.
I realized as a writer you cannot be embarrassed about using things in your life as fodder blatantly as long as you don't really break someone's heart (things like these do get under my skin). I know asking for permission or waiting for it to be granted isn't realistic but you could at least avoid the heartbreak.
This was my first white movie which had a Pakistani protagonist (Next will be The Reluctant Fundamentalist which has been on my watchlist since I read the book). The family values are very similar and their expecting you to do certain things or you will be kicked out of the family is quite relatable. India and Pakistan have so many similarities because the germline is the same. Anupam Kher played the father without making it desi. You will know what I mean when you see it.
Ray Romano seemed familiar too but I couldn't put my finger on it and then I found out he's the voice of Manny the mammoth in Ice Age! And later on when I saw Parenthood, I remember being mighty impressed by his awkwardness. He plays that rare character on TV who's a loner and very comfortable in his own skin.
Go watch it for the cast if not the subject matter.
eternal oxymoron 