Garnering incredible reviews since its showing at Sundance earlier this year – finally The Big Sick is coming to the UK, and we had the pleasure of sitting down with the co-writer, and subject matter, Emily Gordon.
The real-life wife of Kumail Nanjiani – who plays himself in the movie – Gordon instead watched on as Zoe Kazan embodied her, which she admits was, at times, quite an odd, surreal experience. We asked if there was any desire to star in the film herself, and leaving Nanjiani to fill in several of the gaps – given the film explores the time she was in a coma.
Given the aforementioned, tragic element of this narrative, we asked Gordon about the challenge in capturing the right tone for this film, while she also speaks about the casting of Holly Hunter and Ray Romano as her parents. Finally, we speak about the state of the modern romantic comedy – something she has done workshops on in the past.
Watch the full interview below…
Synopsis
Kumail is a Pakistani comic who meets an American graduate student named Emily at one of his stand-up shows. As their relationship blossoms, he soon becomes worried about what his traditional Muslim parents will think of her. When Emily suddenly comes down with an illness that leaves her in a coma, Kumail finds himself developing a bond with her deeply concerned mother and father.
The Big Sick is released on July 28th. You can read our 5* review of the film here.
