Loosely based upon Kumail Nanjiani and Emily Gordon’s relationship, Sick covers the chronological events leading up to them getting married with Emily’s coma being the middle act holding the story together. In Kumail’s case, it’s also a story about breaking free from tradition: arranged marriages, having a beard, being devout to your parents’ religion and pursuing an atypical/non-stereotypical career for South Asians. Getting to know Emily’s parents is the other dilemma. Contrary to the trailer, they don’t have a problem with Kumail’s ethnicity, they’re pissed over him breaking their daughter’s heart; the breakup isn’t much of a spoiler, there will be plenty of other surprises.
The duo did a great job of bringing in all the little touches I recall from my past relationships with women, namely the funny and/or uncomfortable little quirks you still encounter despite other “events.” They also had my mother’s number with some of the behaviors exhibited by the great Holly Hunter. Ray Romano is no slouch, he’s amusing in his own way being the former outsider in his wife’s world, hence he can relate to Kumail, plus the dumb questions he asks.
I really like how they presented Kumail’s background from Pakistan. It isn’t ridiculed or made alien, Pakistan is just where he grew up as a child but he’s thoroughly American as demonstrated by his tastes and behavior. At the dramatic climax he brings up a point with his father about why did they come to America if all they’re going to do is bring their cultural bagged with them. It’s a question I’ve actually pondered when my grandmother of Irish descent would carry on over old grudge matches with the English and/or Protestants.
Check it out. Sick is more genuine than the majority of formulaic romantic-comedies Hollywood manufactures, namely when they use stars with little chemistry. Seeing this in a theater is nice but when it comes to TV/Streaming, get it on your to-watch list ASAP. I went to Alamo as a way of voting with my money to the jackass accountants running Hollywood. Lastly, it was nice to Judd Apatow backing a quality film over the dreck he has put his name on in the last several years, Netflix being the exception.
Alamo Extras: Newsreels showing how a cold can be transmitted in a high school with tips on avoidance, and the birth of a giraffe; Trailers for Dr. Phibes and Night of the Living Dead; the scene from When Harry Met Sally, you know the one; some of Kumail’s early standup routine; Alamo’s Six Shooter Q&A series with Kumail and Emily; a weird music video involving people in a hospital ward; Kumail’s commencement speech at Grinnell; and finally why we love Romantic Comedies:
- Meet Cutes (first contact)
- Relatable Heartbreak
- Grand Gestures and Epiphanies
- Spectacular Smooching
- The Happy Ending, usually