A modern love story

"The Big Sick" — penned by Kumail Nanjiani and his wife, Emily V. Gordon, based on their real-life courtship — is one of the sweetest and funniest love stories of the year. Kumail wants to believe that the troubles he's having at home are particular to his background but learns through Emily's parents that those issues are shared by people around the world. Director Michael Showalter makes some serious points without tearing apart the tapestry of the romance.

Rick Bentley, Tribune News Service