The Big Sick
The Big Sick

The Big Sick

2017Movie120 minEnglish

Pakistan-born comedian Kumail Nanjiani and grad student Emily Gardner 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.

Read Reviews

Insights

IMDb7.5/10
Rotten Tomatoes98%
Metacritic86/100
Google Users90%
Director: Michael ShowalterGenres: Comedy, Drama, Romance

Plot Summary

Based on a true story, Kumail, a Pakistani comedian, falls for Emily, an American grad student. Their budding relationship faces a major hurdle when Emily is diagnosed with a mysterious illness, forcing Kumail to confront his family's expectations and his own feelings. He must navigate cultural differences, family drama, and a serious medical crisis, all while trying to pursue his comedy career.

Critical Reception

The Big Sick was met with widespread critical acclaim, praised for its witty and heartfelt screenplay, strong performances, and authentic portrayal of cross-cultural relationships and serious illness. It was a commercial success, resonating with both critics and audiences for its unique blend of humor and poignancy.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its genuine humor and emotional depth.
  • Celebrated for its authentic and nuanced depiction of a modern relationship facing cultural and medical challenges.
  • Lauded for outstanding performances, particularly from Kumail Nanjiani and Zoe Kazan.

Google audience: Audience reviews highlight the film's remarkable ability to balance laugh-out-loud comedy with deeply moving drama. Many appreciated the relatable characters and the honest portrayal of family dynamics and serious health issues.

Awards & Accolades

Nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay. Received multiple nominations and wins from various critics' circles and awards, including the Independent Spirit Awards and Writers Guild of America Awards.

Fun Fact

The film's screenplay was co-written by Kumail Nanjiani and his wife, Emily V. Gordon, based on their own real-life courtship and the serious illness Emily experienced.

AI-generated overview · Verify ratings on official sources

My Review

TMDB Reviews

5 reviews
Kamurai

Kamurai

Good watch, probably won't watch again, but can recommend if you can handle a medical emergency adventure. If you've seen "A Fault in Our Stars", this has a similar vibe for a lot of it. I'm a fan of Kumail Nanjiani, and I like Emily ...
Reno

Reno

**Brainwashed!!!** Here's the most overrated film, not just for the year, but forever. The title says it all, a big sick flick. Just remember, it was only based on the real, not a biopic. Because they have changed entire storytelling to ...
Gimly

Gimly

FULL DISCLOSURE: I saw this while I was working my ass off in a foodtruck at an outdoor cinema. I missed whole chunks of it, and it certainly didn't have my full focus. I'll give it a proper chance at a later date, and alongside that, anoth...
jessetaylor

jessetaylor

A truly funny and immensely heartwarming _While You Were Sleeping_-esque romantic comedy. It's actually not fair to compare this to any other film because the story here is wholly real and not fabricated for the screen. This is Kumail Nanji...
DJDole

DJDole

Charmingly funny. Not a cliché comedy at all. A little heavy on the Uber references, but still a movie that can be watched multiple times. (Saw at a pre-screening in Seattle.)