November 23, 2024 The Best Source of News, Culture, Lifestyle for Culver City, Mar Vista, Del Rey, Palms and West Los Angeles

Touching Cross-Cultural Romance

By Nick Boyd

 

“The Big Sick,” a romantic dramedy starring stand-up comedian/actor Kumail Nanjiani as Kumail, along with Zoe Kazan as Emily, Ray Romano as Terry, and Holly Hunter as Beth, is able to very effectively mix laughs with a really serious medical predicament that Zoe Kazan’s character Emily finds herself in. Kumail finds himself in a relationship with Emily, after they meet at one of his stand-up acts, where she initially gets his attention by heckling him. At first she tries to end things by saying that since she is in graduate school and very busy that they would not have time to date. He then adds an excuse as well as to why the relationship would not be able to work. Of course, this being a romantic comedy, we know that they will end up seeing each other again and dating.

About midway through the film, Emily finds herself not feeling well, after having sprained her ankle. Things soon become progressively worse, and she finds herself in the emergency room. Right before this had taken place, she and Kumail had gotten into an argument, after she found some things of his, indicating to her that he had been hiding some things about himself.

At the hospital, Kumail meets Emily’s parents – Terry and Beth, who at first wonder why he is there, as they thought the two of them had broken up. This causes awkwardness between the three of them that is only magnified by their cultural differences (her dad even brings up 9/11). This slowly lessens, as Emily’s parents learn to get to know Kumail over the many hours they spend at the hospital, at his apartment, and even seeing him perform one of his stand-up acts. They are able to see just how much he cares for Emily and bond through humor in this very difficult experience and even surprisingly become friends.

The film shows the struggles Kumail faces from his Pakistani parents, who want him to adhere to their traditional cultural ways. In fact, they go so far as to invite potential Pakistani female suitors over to meet Kumail for dinner every time he visits them, which provides some comedy in the film. The parents were married through an arranged marriage and this is something that Kumail has been trying to avoid, explaining to his parents that now that they are in the United States, he should be free to explore his own path. Kumail’s brother also makes it known that Kumail not having a beard is something that he should strive to correct as a good Muslim.

There is a very funny scene in the movie that is reminiscent of the rental car agency scene in the film “Planes, Trains and Automobiles” that illustrates just how frustrated Kumail is in trying to make a meal order.

I did find it contrived that Kumail’s parents would drive out to his apartment on the day of a big career change for him, considering that they were not on speaking terms.

The acting in the picture is heartfelt and feels genuine, from the main roles through the smaller parts. The writing, though, really shines, and is much more intelligent and perceptive than the typical romantic comedy we are used to seeing.

Touching and comedic, this is a movie with a lot to say about the human condition, which really sticks with you. It also does a wonderful job of exploring the cultural clash that Muslims encounter in America.

The Big Sick (2017)
Zoe Kazan and Kumail Nanjiani.
Related Posts

Video Shows Officer-Involved Shooting Outside SMPD Station

November 22, 2024

November 22, 2024

Officials Have Issued a Viewer Advisory, Cautioning That the Material May Be Distressing The Santa Monica Police Department has released...

Donate Blood and Save Lives at Culver City Fire Station This Weekend

November 22, 2024

November 22, 2024

Get a T-Shirt, Gift Card for Participating in the Cedars-Sinai Blood Drive The Culver City Rotary Club, in collaboration with...

LAPD Motorcycle Officer Hospitalized After 405 Freeway Crash in Sepulveda Pass

November 21, 2024

November 21, 2024

Collision Near Skirball Center DrivePossibly Involving a Tesla Caused Major Traffic  The 405 Freeway was the scene of a motorcycle...

Santa Monica Police Release Body Cam Footage of Deadly Force Incident Outside Headquarters

November 21, 2024

November 21, 2024

Graphic Video Shows a Violent Assault on an SMPD Officer by a Knife-Wielding Suspect The Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD)...

Breakaway Café Opens New Venice Location with Beachside Grab-and-Go Window

November 20, 2024

November 20, 2024

Bayse Brothers Bring Their Signature Breakfast Dishes and Good Vibes to Venice Breakaway Café, a popular breakfast and lunch eatery...

Last Minute Additions to the Best Thanksgiving 2024 Feasts and Pies To Go

November 20, 2024

November 20, 2024

If Other Faves are Sold Out, Here’s All The Quality Places to Try Now Celebrity chefs Susan Feniger and Mary...

Everytable’s Holiday Meal Collaboration To Support LA’s Unhoused Youth

November 20, 2024

November 20, 2024

Chef Created Thanksgiving Meal Benefits My Friend’s Place. Everytable, the mission-driven company committed to making scratch-cooked, nutritious meals accessible to...

Los Angeles City Council Codifies Sanctuary Protections for Migrants with New Citywide Ordinance

November 19, 2024

November 19, 2024

Mayor Bass Prioritized the Ordinance after Trump’s Mass Deportation Threats The Los Angeles City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to officially...

The Palms Community Council’s Executive Committee Schedules Special Meeting for Nov. 20

November 19, 2024

November 19, 2024

Meeting to Address Open Board Positions and Committee Updates The Executive Committee will hold a special meeting on Wednesday, Nov....

Hammer Museum Presents 10th Edition of MoMA Contenders: Screenings, Conversations with Top Filmmakers

November 19, 2024

November 19, 2024

Lineup Features Films by Steve McQueen, Sean Baker, and Brady Corbett The Hammer Museum will host the 10th edition of...

Film Review: Wicked

November 19, 2024

November 19, 2024

By Dolores Quintana Director John Chu (Crazy Rich Asians, In The Heights) has crafted an effervescent take on the blockbuster...

Randy’s Donuts Arrives in Culver City with Free Donuts and a $250 Gift Card Giveaway

November 19, 2024

November 19, 2024

Grand Opening on November 19 Includes Sweet Giveaways Starting at 6:00 a.m. The time is finally here. Randy’s Donuts is...

Nicole Nagel’s Futuristic Eric Moss Designed Brentwood Home To Hit Auction Block

November 18, 2024

November 18, 2024

The Spaceship-Like Property Heads to Auction With No Reserve in December German actress Nicole Nagel, who was part of the...

LA Controller Kenneth Meija: City Left $513 Million of Homelessness Budget Unspent

November 18, 2024

November 18, 2024

Inefficiencies Blamed for Underspending Despite Record Allocation in FY2024  The City of Los Angeles hasn’t spent over half of its...

West LA College Expands Zero-Cost Textbook Programs with $600K Grant

November 18, 2024

November 18, 2024

College Aims for 50 Zero-Cost Textbook Programs by 2025  West Los Angeles College (West) is expanding its zero-cost textbook program...