The film’s story is inspired by the real-world experiences of its writers, Nanjiani and Gordon, who begin a modern-day, multi-cultural relationship, and then struggle with the inevitable clashes of family and lifestyle. What sets this particular story apart is Gordon’s sudden and devastating illness, which brings their families together under the most pressing of circumstances.
Explorations of interracial love are definitely not new to film; starting with early silent films like The Bronze Bride or Broken Blossoms, and more notably with 1967’s Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner and Spike Lee’s Jungle Fever in 1991. Hollywood is no stranger to such subject matter. What sets this film apart is the distinctly Middle Eastern cast, which provides a window into an aspect of American culture that we don’t see on television or film nearly enough.
The film looks sweet and funny, but also a bit preachy. Nanjiani, who is Pakastani, sadly engages in stereotypical gags about arranged marriage, Islamaphobia, and intolerant white parents. There’s anything wrong with these particular topics, but none of it seems fresh or new here. Despite the trailer’s somewhat sappy story, it’s apparent there’s a level of honesty and sincerity in the performances. Overall, the trailer for The Big Sick suggests a solid date movie with (hopefully) something interesting to say about ethnicity, culture, and acceptance.
Are you interested in seeing more independent films like The Big Sick in theaters? Let us know in the comments down below!
The Big Sick hits theaters on July 14, 2017.
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SOURCE: Amazon Studios