"The Big Sick" tackles Prejudgments and Arranged Marriages set in our Modern Tinder Era

            “The Big Sick” not only delivers good laughs, but a look into the Pakistani culture surrounding arranged marriages, and a compelling modern love story. The film features an aspiring comedian falling for a girl, and as the two grow closer, an opportunity to impress a big talent scout arises, but couldn’t come at a worst time, as his girlfriend is placed in a medically induced coma. The entire cast does an incredible job at pulling the comedic strings in this musical instrument of a film. The story places likable characters in a difficult situation, enabling the humor to come in as a surprise, making the film much more enjoyable. The Big Sick takes it a step further by portraying a Pakistani-White American relationship.

The love story told in this film explores racial verbal attacks, prejudice behavior, and a clash between two different cultures.

            As the aspiring comedian, Kumail, chooses to stay by Emily’s side, her parents deter him from doing so. Emily’s father creates a memorable moment when he presents Kumail with a conversation on 9-11, which Kumail handles very eloquently. 

Emily’s parents soon get to see another side of Kumail when seeing him perform on stage, and their prejudices are soon belittled by real ignorance being outpoured in a malice intension. The film also succeeds in re-enforcing some pretty well known information like, “all racist frat boys have small shriveled up penises.”

            The love interest that grows between Kumail and Emily captivates as both try to not grow attached to one another. As both our lead characters find comfort in each other, Kumail has a hard time stopping his mother from finding him a Pakistani wife. Our lead character seems torn by two cultures, the one he’s been brought up in, and the one he meets outside of home. 

He even comes to question why his parents would immigrate to a country if they didn’t expect their children to simulate to the culture surrounding them. The film offers a comedic look into the culture cultivating arranged marriages, which happens to create another barrier for our leading character.

            The Big Sick provides an interesting modern love tale set in our tinder-era. Kumail and Emily are the type of couple one roots for until the end of the film. Humor leaps out even in the most ordinary scenes, like Kumail and his brother having a conversation in public. As their conversation grows heated, a concerned white family turns to them, Kumail can’t help but to notify them that they hate terrorist, too. Overall, the film gives us an example of how when one forms a strong attachment to someone, not even belonging to different worlds can stand as an obstacle. The Big Sick is a must watch! In the mood for a comedy, or a good love story? You found it!

"Mother!" is a Powerful Allegory about Man, God, and Earth's Relationship

“Mother!” was endowed with symbolism referring the bible, narrates the complicated relationship between God, Man, and Earth through time, but leaves plenty of unanswered questions. The film’s enriched with heavy subtext hinting at humanity’s monopolization of land and disregard for consequences on the planet. 

The actual storyline feels vague, and seems to come short at times. This subtext-heavy film highlights the gore humans are capable of, providing the horror scene with an enjoyable experience. 

            “Mother” is equipped with references to the bible. Early in the film, a gentlemen shows up asking for refuge, the following day his wife joins him, and later on a scar’s shown on his right side, making reference to Eve being made from Adam’s rib. The film later introduces two brothers getting into a brothel, excellent reference to Cain and Abel. 

The lead character’s a famous author who’s grown a cult-like following, and while his wife forces herself to put up with them, more keep coming. The film does a great job at simulating what Mother Earth would say to God about humanity. 

             It’s impressive how well the film correlates the relationship between the human race and our planet over time. As the story progresses, more uninvited visitors join the lead characters in their home. The uninvited guests keep ignoring any type of house etiquette, and as Jennifer Lawrence’s character yells and pleads to respect her home, they simply ignore her. 

There are prime examples throughout the movie where human’s abuse of the planet leave long lasting effects. While the symbolism is to be praised, the actual storyline comes a bit short, making us forget the characters as people, but simply see them as puns in an allegory. The story behind the two main characters seems to go unanswered, “what are they?”

             “Mother” does an incredible job at showing how Mother Earth would react to the destruction, and overpopulation being caused by humans. This film isn’t for everyone, but as a powerful allegory, deserves a chance.