The Big Sick is a 2017 romantic comedy-drama directed by Michael Showalter, written by Kumail Nanjiani and Emily V. Gordon. Based on the real-life story of Nanjiani and Gordon’s relationship, the film explores love, cultural conflicts, and the power of family during difficult times. It offers a heartfelt and humorous look at how two people from different backgrounds navigate life’s challenges together.
Kumail Nanjiani, played by himself, is a struggling stand-up comedian and Uber driver in Chicago, trying to break into the comedy scene. His life follows a somewhat predictable routine, including the ongoing pressure from his Pakistani family to find a suitable Pakistani wife. His mother, in particular, is constantly arranging “surprise” visits from eligible women during family dinners, hoping to set him up in an arranged marriage. Kumail, however, is not ready to follow this traditional path, even though he pretends to go along with it to avoid conflict.
At one of his comedy shows, Kumail meets Emily Gardner, played by Zoe Kazan, a charming graduate student. The two hit it off instantly, leading to a casual relationship that eventually deepens into something more serious. Despite their growing bond, Kumail hesitates to tell his family about Emily, knowing they would disapprove because she is not Pakistani. This creates an emotional divide between Kumail and Emily, especially as she learns about his family’s expectations.
The relationship reaches a breaking point when Emily discovers that Kumail has been hiding the truth from his family. Feeling betrayed, she breaks up with him, unable to accept being in a relationship where her existence is kept a secret. Kumail, heartbroken, tries to move on, but things take an unexpected turn when he receives a call informing him that Emily has been hospitalized with a severe, mysterious illness. Though they are no longer together, Kumail rushes to the hospital to be by her side, and when doctors decide to put Emily in a medically induced coma, he takes on the responsibility of calling her parents.
Emily’s parents, Beth and Terry, played by Holly Hunter and Ray Romano, arrive at the hospital, and the dynamic between them and Kumail is tense at first. They are aware of the breakup and are unsure how to handle Kumail’s presence. However, as Emily remains in the coma, Kumail stays by her side, forming an awkward but gradually warming relationship with her parents. Over time, the three bond, particularly as Kumail reveals the depth of his feelings for Emily and begins to understand the weight of his cultural responsibilities.
While Kumail grapples with Emily’s condition, he also faces increasing pressure from his own family. His parents, who still believe he will enter an arranged marriage, have no idea about Emily or the emotional turmoil he is experiencing. Kumail finally reaches a breaking point, confronting his family about their expectations and his inability to live the life they have planned for him. In a powerful moment, Kumail refuses to compromise his happiness, even though it means facing the possibility of being disowned by his family.
As Emily’s condition worsens, Kumail’s commitment to her becomes even more apparent. Beth and Terry, who initially distrusted Kumail, begin to see his dedication and ultimately accept him as part of their lives. In a heartfelt moment, Terry opens up to Kumail about the complexities of marriage and long-term commitment, reinforcing the idea that love requires work, even in the most challenging of circumstances.
Eventually, Emily wakes up from her coma, but she is initially confused and wary of Kumail’s presence. She is unaware of everything that transpired while she was unconscious, and their previous breakup still lingers in her mind. Kumail, understanding her confusion, decides to step back and give her space, even though it hurts him deeply.
The film concludes with Kumail deciding to move to New York to pursue his comedy career. Before he leaves, Emily attends one of his shows, and in a quiet but hopeful moment, they reconnect, signaling that their love story may have a second chance.
The Big Sick masterfully blends humor with heartfelt emotion, addressing cultural differences, family pressures, and personal growth. It portrays how love can endure through the most difficult circumstances and how relationships, whether romantic or familial, require understanding and compromise.
