The Big Sick 2017
Directed by
Michael Showalter
Made by
Lionsgate
Plot Summary
The film begins with a comedic routine by Kumail Nanjiani, who humorously reflects on the similarities between life in Pakistan and America, highlighting the distinct cultural aspects like arranged marriages and sports preferences, notably cricket over baseball. Amid his stand-up gigs, Kumail works as an Uber driver in Chicago, where he hangs out with fellow comedians such as Aidy Bryant, Chris (Kurt Braunohler), and CJ ([Bo Burnham]).
One evening, as they perform at a comedy club, they catch the attention of a talent recruiter named Bob Dalavan (Jeremy Shamos), who is scouting for comedians for a Montreal Showcase. Though they all aspire to get in, it’s acknowledged that Chris has the least comedic talent in the group.
During one of his sets, Kumail is heckled—not in a mean way—by a vibrant audience member named Emily Gardner. After the show, Kumail approaches her to humorously address the heckling, but Emily insists she only cheered for him. They quickly bond over shared interests, and Kumail even writes her name in Urdu. Their connection deepens quickly, leading to a romantic encounter, but Emily later feels regret and requests an Uber, unknowingly ordering it from Kumail.
Kumail’s complex family life introduces tension; during dinner with his parents Azmat Kher and Sharmeen, along with his brother Naveed and his wife, Sharmeen openly pressures Kumail to settle down with potential brides she has preselected. Kumail secretly continues to date Emily, keeping their relationship hidden from his family, which adds a layer of secrecy and anxiety.
Despite his family’s expectations, Kumail enjoys moments with Emily like grocery shopping, but the relationship faces a major hurdle when Emily discovers the cigar box filled with pictures of women his mother tried to set him up with. Feeling betrayed, Emily confronts Kumail about his family’s traditions and the secrecy, leading to a heated argument which results in her storming out.
The tides turn dramatically when Kumail receives a phone call informing him that Emily has been hospitalized due to a serious lung infection. In a show of devotion, he makes the difficult decision to sign the medical paperwork that places Emily in a medically-induced coma. When her parents, Beth and Terry, arrive, tension fills the hospital as emotions run high, with Beth being particularly unwelcoming towards Kumail.
As days unfold, Kumail grows closer to Beth and Terry, sharing humorous moments and even performing comedy while grappling with the challenges of Emily’s health crisis. In a touching scene, Kumail’s comedic performance brings laughter to Beth and Terry, who begin to warm up to him throughout the stressful ordeal.
Meanwhile, Kumail faces familial rejection, struggling with his love for Emily against the backdrop of his family’s traditional expectations. After finding himself in a comedic rut, Kumail opens up on stage candidly about his feelings for Emily in the midst of an emotional breakdown, showcasing his vulnerable side.
Eventually, after a dark journey through emotional turmoil, Kumail receives a text that Emily has awoken from her coma. However, the reunion is fraught with unresolved emotions as Emily expresses her unhappiness with Kumail’s earlier deceptions. Their conversations reveal the complexities of their feelings, urging Kumail to reflect on his actions and how they have impacted their relationship.
As the film progresses, Kumail navigates his family dynamics and professional aspirations. His journey leads him to a poignant moment when he prepares to leave Chicago to follow his dreams in New York City. In an unexpected twist, Emily appears at one of his shows, rekindling their connection with a nostalgic “woo-hoo!” echoing their first meeting. The film closes with real-life footage celebrating Kumail’s marriage to Emily V. Gordon, providing a heartfelt conclusion to a journey filled with love, identity, and acceptance.
Timeline
Kumail's Stand-Up Start
The film opens with Kumail Nanjiani performing a stand-up comedy routine, sharing his humorous observations about cultural differences between Pakistan and America. He highlights the quirks of arranged marriages and the preference for cricket over baseball, setting the comedic tone for the film.
Comedy Club Showcase
While hanging out with his comedian friends, Kumail performs at a local comedy club that catches the attention of a talent recruiter named Bob Dalavan. The group discusses their ambitions for a Montreal Showcase, even teasing about Chris being the least talented comic among them.
Meeting Emily
During one of Kumail's sets, a lively audience member named Emily Gardner heckles him in a friendly manner. After the show, Kumail approaches her, and they share a connection over shared interests, leading to a sweet moment where Kumail writes her name in Urdu.
First Romantic Encounter
Following a night of connection, Kumail and Emily have a romantic encounter that deepens their bond. However, Emily later expresses her regret and orders an Uber to leave, not realizing it's Kumail who arrives to drive her home.
Family Dinner Tensions
During a family dinner, Kumail faces pressure from his parents and brother about settling down with potential brides they have selected. This dinner illustrates the cultural clash and the expectations that weigh heavily on him, contrasting with his personal life.
Secret Relationship
Kumail continues to secretly date Emily, creating a layer of tension in his life as he hides their relationship from his family. Despite enjoying tender moments together, the secrecy adds stress to Kumail's life, complicating his feelings.
Emily's Discovery
Emily stumbles upon a cigar box filled with pictures of women that Kumail's mother had lined up for him. Feeling betrayed by his deception regarding his family’s traditions, Emily confronts Kumail, leading to a stormy argument and her abrupt exit.
Hospital Call
Kumail receives a call that Emily has been hospitalized due to a serious lung infection. In a pivotal decision, he signs the medical paperwork to place her in a medically-induced coma, marking a critical moment in their relationship.
Meeting Emily's Parents
As Kumail navigates the emotional turmoil of Emily’s hospitalization, he meets her parents, Beth and Terry. The atmosphere is tense, especially with Beth being cold towards him, highlighting the challenges he faces during this crisis.
Bonding with Beth and Terry
As Kumail spends more time with Emily's parents at the hospital, they start bonding over shared jokes and moments of levity. His ability to make them laugh helps to ease the tension, allowing their relationship to gradually warm up amidst the stressful situation.
Comedic Vulnerability
In the midst of his own breakdown, Kumail takes to the stage and openly discusses his feelings for Emily. This moment signifies his vulnerability and the struggle between his love for Emily and his family's traditional expectations, marking a turning point in his character development.
Emily Awakens
After a tumultuous journey, Kumail receives a text indicating that Emily has awakened from her coma. However, their reunion is filled with unresolved feelings as Emily confronts Kumail about his earlier secrets, leading to a heartfelt discussion about trust and honesty.
Navigating Their Future
As the film progresses, Kumail contemplates his family dynamics and future aspirations in the comedy world. He faces a personal crossroads that challenges him to reconcile his love for Emily with his desire to follow his dreams.
Kumail's New Chapter
Towards the film's conclusion, Kumail prepares for a significant move to New York City to pursue his ambitions. Unexpectedly, Emily shows up at one of his shows, and with a nostalgic cheer of 'woo-hoo!', they reconnect, rekindling their feelings.
Celebrating Love
The film concludes with real-life footage showcasing Kumail and Emily's marriage, celebrating their love story and the journey they endured together. This heartfelt ending highlights themes of identity, love, and acceptance, cherishing their shared experiences.
Characters
Kumail Nanjiani
Kumail is a stand-up comedian who struggles with balancing his cultural heritage and personal aspirations. His humor often masks deeper insecurities, especially when navigating his family's expectations about marriage. He evolves significantly throughout the movie, ultimately confronting his fears in a journey of self-acceptance.
Emily Gardner
Emily is a spirited and independent woman whose relationship with Kumail challenges traditional norms. She represents modern love, facing complexities that arise from cultural differences and personal authenticity. Her journey reveals her strength and vulnerability while navigating her feelings for Kumail amidst adversity.
Beth
Beth is Emily's mother, initially skeptical of Kumail due to cultural differences and her daughter's well-being. Throughout the film, she experiences a shift as she sees Kumail's love and devotion towards Emily, showcasing her journey from distrust to acceptance.
Terry
Terry, Emily's father, has a more laid-back demeanor compared to his wife, providing a counterbalance to Beth's skepticism. His character brings a humorous and relatable perspective on fatherhood, ultimately showing support for Kumail as he navigates his daughter's relationship.
Naveed
Naveed is Kumail's brother who adds another layer of familial complexity. His character often reflects traditional expectations, showcasing the generational differences in their approach to relationships and cultural practices.
Setting
Time period
The film is set in contemporary times, showcasing modern relationships and the effects of cultural expectations. It addresses the present-day challenges faced by individuals in a multicultural environment.
Location
Chicago
Chicago is known for its vibrant arts scene and diverse culture. It serves as the backdrop for Kumail's journey, offering a contrasting landscape of comedy and family dynamics. The city's rich history and unique neighborhoods reflect the intersection of various lifestyles and traditions.
Themes
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Love & Identity
The theme of love is intricately woven with personal identity, as Kumail navigates his relationship with Emily amidst familial expectations. Their romance is tested by cultural conflicts and personal insecurities, revealing how love can lead to self-discovery and growth.
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Comedy & Tragedy
The film beautifully juxtaposes comedy with poignant moments of tragedy, showing how humor can be a coping mechanism during life's toughest challenges. It explores the healing power of laughter in the face of emotional turmoil and the life of a comedian.
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Family Dynamics
Family plays a central role in Kumail's life, reflecting the tension between individual desires and familial expectations. Cultural traditions create pressure that complicates his romantic relationship, emphasizing the challenges faced by those straddling two worlds.
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