Kumail (Nanjiani) is a struggling comedian who mines his Pakistani heritage for his standup act. He begins a relationship with Emily (Kazan) who knows nothing about his strict upbringing or the fact that his parents want him to marry a Muslim girl of their choosing. When Emily finally finds out, she breaks off the affair. Soon after she becomes very sick, and Kumail rushes to her bedside. Knowing how he hurt Emily, her frantic parents (Hunter and Romano) give him a frosty reception, but soon realize he really loves her. The burning question: what will happen if Emily pulls through?

Nanjiani and real-life wife Emily V. Gordon drew on their own courtship to write this screenplay, and that personal touch makes these characters feel wholly authentic. Nanjiani makes an appealing, often hilarious lead, and the rest of the cast is just as solid, particularly quirky Kazan and in-your-face Hunter. Don’t pass up this all-too-rare phenomenon: a contemporary American romantic comedy with brains and heart. Get “Sick”!