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The Big Sick Review: Love, Illness, and Family Dynamics in Unique Comedy

From Coma to Cabin Fever: A Double Dose of “Sick” Cinema Let’s discuss “sick” movies. Not the bad ones that make you ill. We focus on films that deal with illness. We will cover two films: The Big Sick and Sick. Get ready to explore romance across cultures and pandemic paranoia. Keep your popcorn tight, […]

The Big Sick Review: Love, Illness, and Family Dynamics in Unique Comedy

From Coma to Cabin Fever: A Double Dose of "Sick" Cinema

Let’s discuss "sick" movies. Not the bad ones that make you ill. We focus on films that deal with illness. We will cover two films: The Big Sick and Sick. Get ready to explore romance across cultures and pandemic paranoia. Keep your popcorn tight, folks.

The Big Sick: Love, Life, and Limbic System Dysfunction

First is The Big Sick. The title may mislead you into thinking it's a grim drama. This is a rom-com with reality and hospital beeps. The story centers on comedian Kumail Nanjiani and grad student Emily Gardner. They fall in love, but cultural differences complicate matters.

Family Feuds and Faith

Kumail's family does not support his non-Muslim girlfriend. They push for arranged marriages. It’s like speed dating, but with family pressure. They start as obstacles, not villains. It’s classic Pakistani parenting causing chaos in love.

Real Life Romance: Based on a True-ish Story

Fun fact: the real Emily is named Emily V. Gordon. She and Kumail wrote the screenplay for The Big Sick. They took their rollercoaster relationship and made a movie. It’s loosely based on real experiences. For more on their story, check this article.

Emily's Unexpected Detour: Illness Strikes

Things get complicated when Emily falls ill. Initially, it seems like the flu, but it escalates quickly. She has adult-onset Still’s Disease. It’s an autoimmune disorder, hard to diagnose. Thus, "The Big Sick." Emily ends in a coma, complicating Kumail’s life further. Now he faces both her parents and his emotions.

Behind the Scenes and Napkin Notes

The screenplay comes from Emily and Kumail, chronicling their early relationship. The film has an R rating for language and sexual references. Expect more dialogue than scandal. Interestingly, Emily didn’t play herself. She said acting is hard. They aimed for the best portrayal, so they chose seasoned actors. Look for the napkin scene where Kumail writes Emily’s name in Urdu; it’s a sweet moment.

Themes and Feels: Funny, Heartfelt, and Smart

Critics agree: The Big Sick is funny and heartfelt. It revives the rom-com formula. The film delves into family dynamics and growth. The coma adds emotional depth. It maintains humor while delivering a satisfying story. For parent reviews, explore Common Sense Media.

Real-Life Ever After (with a Cat)

Kumail and Emily married in 2007. They have no kids but own a cat named Bagel. Kumail gets emotional about Bagel. For insights into their creative process, check 'Big Sick' Creators Nanjiani And Gordon On Turning Their Courtship....

Sick: Pandemic Panic and Slasher Shenanigans

Next up is Sick. This movie is a shift from romance to horror. It captures pandemic vibes and masked mayhem. Parker and her friend stay at a lake house during lockdown. It seems safe until an unexpected intruder disrupts their quarantine.

Pandemic Parallels and Selfishness Scares

Sick might appear as a typical slasher film. Teenagers face a masked killer. But it comments on the pandemic. It shows how selfish actions had grave consequences during crises. There’s horror mixed with social commentary, creating a unique experience.

Killer Reveal: Family Frights

Parker discovers the masked intruders are not strangers. They are Benji's parents, Pamela and Jason. They’ve targeted Parker with their twisted motives. Why? You’ll need to watch to see how the family drama unfolds.

Ending with a Bang (and Antlers)

The climax of Sick packs a punch. Parker and her friend stand up for themselves. Pamela meets a fiery end, while Jason's exit involves stairs and deer antlers. Ouch, what a painful farewell.

Analysis: Slick and Scary

Sick is described as slick horror. It keeps you engaged and delivers on scares. The writing is sharp and includes biting commentary. It uses the pandemic not just as a backdrop but as a thematic force.

Where to Watch: Peacock Plumes

Craving pandemic-era slasher thrills? Sick streams on Peacock. If you enjoy masked mayhem, dive right in.

So there you have it: two distinct films labeled "sick." One will amuse you and tug at your heartstrings, while the other will make you jump in fear. Choose one or watch both for a range of “sick” experiences. Just consider watching them on separate nights unless you enjoy emotional rollercoasters.

K
WRITTEN BY

Karla S.

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