Film review: 'The Big Sick'

Approach "The Big Sick" with reckless abandon to best savor its delightful impact. It will tickle your funny bone as it tugs at your heartstrings, never missing a beat.

Most likely because the story is based on the real-life courtship of its two co-writers (Kumail Nanjiani and Emily V. Gordon), the film never hits a false note. When stand-up comedian Kumail (Kumail Nanjiani) falls for perky heckler Emily (Zoe Kazan), things get complicated. Cultures clash as Kumail's parents insist upon him marrying a Pakistani woman, and Emily is kept in the dark about his predicament. Upon learning Kumail's secret, she's devastated and breaks up with him. But fate steps in, and all bets are off.

Suddenly, Emily gets seriously sick and must be placed in a medically induced coma. Refusing to leave her bedside, Kumail is forced to reckon with Emily's chilly parents (Holly Hunter and Ray Romano) with whom he eventually bonds. When his parents finally find out about his relationship, they sever their ties with Kumail (sort of). Remarkably, the drama playing out is hilarious, for the most part.

Impeccable scripting, brilliant directing (Michael Showalter) and a gifted cast propel "The Big Sick" to one-terrific-comedy status. What had to have been a difficult balancing act is pulled off with perfection. The laughs are savvy enough to carry the audience through the tough times, and they are abundant. Beware: Some of the humor is borderline scathing.

When Kumail first meets Emily's parents, the father asks him, "What's your status on 9/11?" Completely caught off guard, he responds, "We lost 19 of our best guys." This is a film that doesn't pull any punches and delivers big on punchlines.

It also excels at creating incredible chemistry between all of its characters. As all of the relationships evolve, the transitions are completely credible, due to some excellent acting. Holly Hunter is especially effective at dealing with her grief while putting her husband's past behavior aside. But it's Kumail and Zoe who light up the screen, bouncing one-liners off each other that captivate our hearts.

"The Big Sick" tackles scores of serious issues from a sophisticated, comedic viewpoint. But when all is said and done, it's basically a love story between two people who were meant to be together, despite the odds. Applause.

Note: Stay as the credits begin rolling to catch some great photos.