Kumail is the integrated son of Pakistani migrants living in Chicago. His parents expected him to study medicine or law, and his mother would like to organize an arranged marriage for her son. But Kumail doesn‘t believe in arranged love and dreams of a career as a stand-up comic, performing in nigh clubs and keeping his head above water by driving a cab. When he gets together with psychology student Emily, he hides the relationship from his family and when Emily finds that out she breaks up with him. Shortly thereafter, Emily has to go into an artificial coma because of an artificial infection. Kumail meets her parents (Holly Hunter and Ray Romano) at the hospital and they learn to like each other after initial frictions and Kumail begins to seriously question his family‘s attitudes.

THE BIG SICK is based on the true love story between US comedian Kumail Nanjiani, who plays himself in the film, and his wife Emily Gordon (played by Zoe Kazan). The script, written by the couple, has wonderfully ambivalent characters and smart dialogue that evokes empathy in this. Director Michael Showalter directs the Sundance hit in the best indie fashion with sleek elegance, shooting very close to the characters and their conflicts with some fine humor that‘s the trademark of co-producer Judd Apatow. What emerges is a charming, multifacted, and warm film about generational conflicts and the question of how to recognize love when it crosses your path.

Christian Horn

Translation: Elinor Lewy