Charm of The Big Sick
Heavy rains in Mumbai didn’t stop Anupam Kher and cinephiles to attend the premiere of the actor’s 500th film, Hollywood romantic comedy The Big Sick. Kher plays a Pakistani patriarch in the United States who is distraught after he discovers that his son (Kumail Nanjiani) is in a relationship with an American woman (Zoe Kazan).
Based on the true love story of Pakistan-born, America-based stand-up comic and actor Nanjiani and his wife Emily Gordon, both writers of the film, The Big Sick sees Kher in a small but pivotal part. In one memorable scene after Kumail is ostracised by the family for refuting many Pakistani proposals and going against their wishes, Kher in a deadpan voice says, “I’m forbidden from hugging you. Goodbye forever.”
It’s this generous spread of awkward and teasing humour that keeps the laughs coming in The Big Sick. “I had not heard of him frankly,” said Kher of Nanjiani, who is most popular for featuring in the sitcom Silicon Valley.
Recounting his first interaction with Nanjiani, Kher said that the latter didn’t believe it was Kher on the phone and cut the call thinking it was a prank call. Nanjiani and his family grew up watching Kher’s films and it was Nanjiani’s father who insisted that Kher be cast to play him.
Also starring Ray Romano, Holly Hunter and Shenaz Treasury, it’s Zoe Kazan who steals the show as the funny, frank young woman who desires more from the relationship. “I can’t lose my family,” responds Kumail, certain that his family will never accept a woman outside of their culture.
The charm of The Big Sick is that it normalises the cross-cultural romance, never overtly highlighting the religious, racial and cultural divide. When an unfortunate incident brings Emily’s parents (the delightful Romano and Hunter) and Kumail together, the film transforms from a delightful Boy-meets-Girl love story to a bittersweet Meet-the-Parents style drama.
In addition to it is Kumail’s own coming-of-age tale with the fear of loss driving him to take a stand he has been afraid to take. With an array of migrant characters and a brief glimpse of their lifestyle, the film becomes more relevant in Trump’s America.
It is best evident in a scene where Hunter defends Kumail against a heckler who can best be described as a hyper-nationalist Trump supporter. The Big Sick resonates on many levels but its call for love trumps hatred is the most relevant one.