20 Best Movies Of 2017

13. The Big Sick

The Big Sick
STUDIOCANAL

A refreshing take on the romantic comedy genre, The Big Sick breathes fresh life into it by not just nailing its romance and humour, but doing so in a way that feels incredibly real.

A lot of that comes from the fact it's based on the real-life relationship of its writer and star, Silicon Valley's Kumail Nanjiani, and his wife Emily V. Gordon (who co-wrote the film with him, but is played by Zoe Kazan in the movie).

It starts off as a perfectly pleasant romcom as the pair start dating and begin to fall for each other, but takes a serious turn when Emily contracts a major but mysterious illness, forcing Kumail to face up to both her family - brilliantly played by Ray Romano and Holly Hunter - and his own. It's a razor sharp, laugh-out-loud, and sweet examination of cultural differences, relationships, love, and potential death.

There's a lot of pathos to the story, but it's intelligent and hilarious two, and carried on the back of its irrepressible charm and immensely likeable characters.

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Contributor
Contributor

NCTJ-qualified journalist. Most definitely not a racing driver. Drink too much tea; eat too much peanut butter; watch too much TV. Sadly only the latter paying off so far. A mix of wise-old man in a young man's body with a child-like wonder about him and a great otherworldly sensibility.