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Jan 13, 2018andreajesse rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
Easily the best movie of 2017. I am normally drawn to more "arty" films, but I had heard good things about this movie, so I gave it a shot. It strikes the perfect balance of funny and heartfelt. It is never schmaltzy. And it is never played just for laughs. All laughs are part of the story. It helps that Kumail Nanjiani plays himself - a stand-up comedian. We get to watch his set and those of other hilarious comedians. The funniest line came from one of the comedians called out for not being funny when explaining to Kumail why a coma might be beneficial to his girlfriend. I had a few laugh-out-loud moments which is rare for me. Kumail is funny. This we know. But did you know he can act? Sometimes, I think comedians make the best actors because they, more than anyone, understand timing. Zoe Kazan (granddaughter of Elia Kazan) is pitch perfect as the girlfriend. Ray Romano is funny and gives a great performance as the girlfriend's dad. It was great to see Holly Hunter again as the neurotic mother. The movie offers insight into the life of a Pakastani immigrant family, but none of it too serious. Timely elements are addressed like Isis and presumed involvement based on how Kumail looks and talks. It is all handled really well. Spoiler alert - I understand the real Kumail and his girlfriend/wife wrote the script based on real-life events. Truth is funnier than fiction. This is a must-see.