Introduction
The Big Sick is a lighthearted romantic comedy that follows the story of an interracial couple, Kumail Nanjiani and Emily Gordon, as they navigate the trials and tribulations of their relationship. The film is set in Chicago and follows the couple from the beginning of their relationship to their eventual breakup. Kumail is a Pakistani-American stand-up comedian, and Emily is an American graduate student studying psychology. Throughout the film, various communication concepts are explored, such as nonverbal communication, communication apprehension, and the importance of self-disclosure.
Film Summary
The film follows the story of Kumail, a Pakistani-American stand-up comedian, who meets a white American woman, Emily, and falls in love with her. Despite her parents’ objections, Kumail and Emily stayed together. Despite his parents’ disapproval, Kumail and Emily stayed together. However, Emily’s life took a sudden turn for the worse when she was placed in a medically induced coma, leaving Kumail to take care of her. Adding to this struggle, Kumail faced the challenge of gaining the acceptance of Emily’s parents, who were hesitant to approve of him due to their differences in culture and religion. Through a series of events, Kumail eventually won them over, and he was welcomed into their family.
The conflict originates from the cultural and religious differences between Kumail and Emily’s parents. Despite Kumail’s attempts to assimilate into American culture and win over Emily’s parents, they remain resistant to the idea of their daughter marrying a Pakistani-American man. The conflict is eventually resolved when Kumail is accepted into the family after Emily is placed in a coma. The Big Sick is a heartwarming story of love, family, and cultural identity.
Nonverbal Communication Concept
One example of communication concepts explored throughout the film is nonverbal communication. Nonverbal communication is communicating without words, which is essential in any relationship (Hall 271). Throughout the movie, the main characters, Emily and Kumail, use a variety of nonverbal cues to express their feelings. For example, when Emily feels uncomfortable or anxious about the situation, she often stands away from Kumail with her arms crossed, signaling her discomfort (The Big Sick). In contrast, when Emily is interested in what Kumail has to say or feels open to him, she stands closer to him and makes eye contact.
The interactions between Emily and Kumail are best understood when considering both facial expressions and body language. When they are first introduced, Emily appears skeptical with her arms crossed, while Kumail is open and relaxed. As they become more comfortable with one another, Emily smiles more, and Kumail leans in as a sign of interest (The Big Sick). When Emily feels anxious or uncomfortable, she leans away from Kumail. Through these facial expressions and body language, the audience can better understand the relationship between Emily and Kumail, as seen in The Big Sick.
Communication Apprehension Concept
Another communication concept explored in the film is communication apprehension. Communication apprehension is an individual’s fear or anxiety about communicating with others (Dombi 53). Kumail and Emily both feel uncomfortable when discussing their relationship with Kumail’s family, with Kumail anxious about his family’s reaction and Emily wanting to be accepted (The Big Sick). This uneasiness eventually leads to their breakup.
The Big Sick shows how communication apprehension can hinder building and maintaining relationships. Only when characters are honest and open with one another can they begin to understand and trust each other. Communication is not always easy, but it is essential to creating and sustaining meaningful relationships.
Self-Disclosure Concept
The importance of self-disclosure is another communication concept explored in the film. Self-disclosure is revealing personal information to another individual (Maltseva and Lutz 102). As Kumail and Emily both work to discover how to be in a close relationship with one another, they both encounter distinct disclosure journeys. Initially, Kumail is unwilling to offer his true feelings and hesitates to let Emily in (The Big Sick). Eventually, though, he begins to talk more about his identity and family history, which helps the two create a foundation of trust and comprehension.
Emily is more open and direct with her feelings and thoughts. She is comfortable with her vulnerability and unafraid to share her true self with Kumail (The Big Sick). This helps deepen their connection but also reveals the differences in their respective disclosure styles. The movie’s key theme is the balance between self-disclosure and personal boundaries. The two characters navigate the boundaries of their relationship, learning when and how to disclose their feelings and thoughts to one another. This process can be complex and risky, but developing a meaningful and lasting connection is necessary.
Conclusion
In conclusion, The Big Sick is an entertaining romantic comedy that delves deeply into the complexities of communication. Kumail and Emily’s exchanges demonstrate concepts such as nonverbal communication, communication apprehension, and the significance of self-disclosure. Ultimately, the couple’s inability to communicate effectively leads to the end of their relationship.
Works Cited
Dombi, Judit. Intercultural Communicative Competence and Individual Differences: A Model for Advanced EFL Learners. Cambridge Scholars Publishing, 2021.
Hall, Judith et al. “Nonverbal Communication.” Annual Review of Psychology, vol. 70, 2019, pp. 271-294. Web.
Maltseva, Kateryna, and Christoph Lutz. “A quantum of self: A study of self-quantification and self-disclosure.” Computers in Human Behavior, vol. 81, 2018, pp. 102-114. Web.
The Big Sick. Directed By Michael Showalter, performance by Kumal Nanjiani and Zoe Kazan, Lionsgate, 2017.