Review of The Big Sick (2017) by Metaflix — 12 Jul 2017

There’s a lot to root for in ‘The Big Sick.’ Not a lot of small budget romance-drama-comedies (romdramadies?) receive such publicity or praise this time of year.

The film premiered at Sundance and started a bidding war for the distribution rights between Sony, Focus Features, Amazon, and Netflix, which certainly must have made the producers feel like the pretty girl at the prom (Amazon ultimately won with a $12 million bid).

Co-creator, co-producer, co-writer, and co-star Kumail “Coco” Nanjiani—along with the rest of the cast—turn in great performances. Considering the story is based on Nanjiani’s real-life dating experiences and subsequent marriage, it should come as no surprise that he delivers a heartfelt, authentic turn as a young immigrant looking to break free from the bonds of tradition.

Unfortunately, there are just too many times when the plot veers into unrealistic territory. For example, what parents would visit a comedy club while their daughter is in a coma, especially with surgery scheduled for the next day? None that I know. Furthermore, the writing just isn’t as funny or witty or incisive as all the mid-summer hype might suggest. However, there are times when the film feels like a refreshing respite amongst all the super-budget action flicks currently flooding local cinemas. And, if nothing else, it’s a good movie to support for those who want to send a message to Hollywood that they need a greater emphasis on making original, auteur-driven films.