My 99th and 100th films of 2017 turned out to be these two comedies, seen as a double bill. Whilst they may be in the same genre, they are very different movies: one is a formulaic but passable time filler, the other a refreshing and surprising delight.
First up was The Big Sick. This is written by husband and wife Kumail Nanjiani and Emily Gordon, and the story is based on how they met, and how their relationship was affected firstly by cultural differences, and then Emily contracting a serious illness. I would imagine that parts of this story was either very hard for the couple to write or very cathartic, as the scene when they break up, because Emily finds out that Kumail has not told his family that he won’t have an arranged marriage, is quite hard to watch. Aside from a sluggish first ten minutes, though, the rest of the film is both extremely funny, and also heart breakingly sad.
The performances are all first-rate. Nanjiani plays himself, and Zoe Kazan does really well as Emily. The film really hits its stride with the appearance of Holly Hunter and Ray Romano, both terrific, as Emily’s parents.
The story arc may sound like a derivative romantic comedy, but it is far from that. It is surprising touching and beautifully written.
Rating: 9 out of 10
The second film in the double bill was Girls Trip. A group of women who used to be the closest of friends but have lost contact somewhat over the years decide to get together at a festival in New Orleans. Ryan (Regina Hall) is a successful author of self-help style books, Sasha (Queen Latifah) is a struggling celebrity gossip journalist, Lisa (Jada Pinkett Smith) is an uptight single mother, and Dina (Tiffany Haddish) is an outrageous man-eater. Over a couple of nights in the city, as the girls party, secrets are unveiled and their friendships are tested.
There are some sharply written scenes and a handful of belly laughs, so, for the most part, the film moves along pleasingly enough. Also, as usual, Queen Latifah shines whatever the material, and the other performances are fine. However, it is extremely predictable, with characters that feel like stereotypes rather than real people. Just the opposite of The Big Sick, in fact.
One of the funniest scenes involves Lisa zip wiring above the streets of New Orleans. When she gets stuck, she is unable to control her bladder, much to the horror of the people below. However, the gag is immediately repeated with Dina doing the same but deliberately. That is painfully unfunny and sums up the uneven, and contradictory nature, of the film. Dina behaves outrageously throughout the movie. Initially to really funny effect when her boss tries to fire her at work, but her behaviour starts to become irritating.
Then, out of nowhere, there is a really uncomfortable attempt to realign her character as she is shown fervently praying in her bedroom. Also, the ending is designed to tug on the heartstrings but left me cold. Ryan makes a big speech about how it is better to be a strong woman on your own than live a lie with a cheating husband, although, conveniently, she already has another man lined up.
Despite those faults, there are enough amusing moments to make this film worth seeing, even, if like me, you don’t recognise most of the big name singers and rappers making cameo appearances and find that their performances do nothing other than slow the film down.
Rating: 6 out of 10