The Big Sick

The Big Sick is a 2017 American romantic comedy-drama film directed by Michael Showalter, based on the real-life courtship between comedian Kumail Nanjiani and his wife Emily V. Gordon. The film is an adaptation of their memoir "The Big Sick," which recounts their experiences as a couple navigating the intricacies of cultural differences and the challenges of Kumail's family's expectations. Kumail Nanjiani, a rising star in the world of comedy, is a Muslim from Pakistan, who has come to the United States to study and pursue his career in the entertainment industry. After a few failed attempts at dating American women, Kumail attends a stand-up comedy show, where he meets Emily Gardner, a graduate student in anthropology. The two share an instant connection and, despite their cultural differences, begin to date. However, Kumail struggles with the expectations of his parents and his own family's traditions, who pressure him to marry a Pakistani woman and carry on the family's name. As Kumail and Emily's relationship deepens, they face numerous challenges. Emily is determined to marry Kumail, but he is hesitant, unsure of how to break the news to his parents. Meanwhile, Emily's parents, Terry and Beth Gardner, are delighted to meet Kumail, but they are also eager to see their daughter happy. When Kumail and Emily share their news with Kumail's parents, they react with disappointment and dismay, leading Kumail to decide that he needs to break things off with Emily before it gets even more complicated. However, it is too late. Emily falls ill with a rare and mysterious condition that puts her in a coma. When Kumail is informed of the seriousness of Emily's condition, he realizes that he needs to be honest with her family about his true feelings. He visits Terry and Beth at their home, where he confesses that he is not committed to marrying Emily, citing the differences between their cultures as the reason. As Kumail struggles to come to terms with his own feelings and the potential loss of Emily, her parents are forced to confront their own biases and prejudices. Terry, a conservative but loving father, is at first upset with Kumail, feeling as though he has betrayed Emily's trust. However, as he gets to know Kumail and learns more about his culture, he begins to see things in a different light. Meanwhile, Beth, a free-spirited and open-minded mother, is fiercely protective of Emily and her love for Kumail. She begins to see the good in Kumail, and encourages him to be honest with Emily's doctors and her family. Throughout the film, Kumail's relationships with his parents, particularly his father, Naveed, are put to the test. Naveed, a strict traditionalist, is disappointed by Kumail's choices and pressures him to return to Pakistan and marry a Pakistani woman. Kumail, however, is determined to pursue his own path and find true happiness, even if it means going against his family's expectations. As Emily's health begins to improve, Kumail must confront the fact that he has fallen in love with her, despite the cultural differences that initially seemed insurmountable. With the help of Emily's family and his own parents, Kumail finds the courage to express his true feelings to Emily, and the two share a beautiful and emotional moment of reconciliation. The film is a heartwarming and often hilarious account of love, cultural differences, and the power of communication. With standout performances from Kumail Nanjiani, Emily V. Gordon, and Zak Hussein and Adeel Akhtar as Kumail's parents, "The Big Sick" is a must-see for anyone who has ever fallen in love with someone from a different culture or struggled with the expectations of their own family. In the end, Kumail and Emily get married in a beautiful and intimate ceremony, surrounded by their friends and family. The film concludes with a touching message about the importance of love, acceptance, and understanding in bridging cultural differences. "The Big Sick" is a testament to the power of true love and the human spirit's ability to overcome even the most daunting obstacles.