Fun
Frisky
Nostalgic
Intense
Adventurous
Choked Up
Curious
Romantic
Weird
It’s no secret that Zoe Kazan‘s got the chops to act just about anything and a particular penchant for intelligent romances; she wrote and starred in her own take on the rom-com flick, Ruby Sparks, back in 2012, and followed it with enchanting turns in unique love stories like The Pretty One, What If, In Your Eyes, and My Blind Brother. Kazan can go from bitingly funny to heartbreakingly sad in the drop of a hat – she’s the kind of dynamic, compelling actress these roles are made for, so it’s no surprise that she wound up in boundary-defying rom-com The Big Sick.
Kumail Nanjiani, on the other hand, hadn’t necessarily gotten to try his hand in many romances leading up to The Big Sick, but he certainly proved early on that he could make us laugh. Perhaps best known as Dinesh on HBO comedy Silicon Valley, Nanjiani has hosted an impressive television career including credits on Portlandia, Adventure Time, Community, and slew of others. He’s also appeared in a handful of comedies ranging from broad to indie; Hello, My Name is Doris, Hot Tub Time Machine 2, and Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates are just a few examples of the handful of flicks in which Nanjiani has been largely underutilized. It’s not often that Pakistani actors are featured in leading rom-com roles (or most genres, really), but Nanjiani set out to tell his story and did so in a beautiful, honest way.
The Big Sick is set to be the rom-com of the summer; starring Nanjiani and Kazan, the film is penned by Nanjiani and his wife Emily V. Gordon and tells the true story of the tumultuous early months of their romance and the life-threatening event that brought them closer together. Currently boasting a 98% on Rotten Tomatoes, the Michael Showalter-directed flick has been lauded as funny, smart, and heartfelt, and continues to receive praise for its cross-cultural themes and poignant messaging. All of this is certainly true, but a rom-com can’t be truly great without the perfect couple at the heart of it – and Nanjiani and Kazan are exactly that.
Below, we’ve listed this sublime rom-com couple’s essential roles. Take a deep dive to enjoy their talents and you’ll appreciate The Big Sick that much more.
Zoe Kazan
Ruby Sparks (2012)
Penned by Kazan, the actress stars as the eponymous Ruby opposite real-life partner Paul Dano in this fresh, charming romantic comedy that tells the story of a genius novelist named Calvin who wills his dream girl into existence after writing about her. The honeymoon phase – and skewed concept of love – that follows evidently teaches Calvin about the beauty that exists within human flaw, and through Ruby, he learns to be a better person. It’s a dazzling showcase for Kazan’s talents, both as a writer and actress, and essential viewing for anyone even mildly interested in the work she’s done.
What If (2013)
This filthy, funny rom-com may restore your faith in the genre if you’ve been worried, and that’s largely in part to Kazan’s performance. This fresh flick tackles the age-old ‘guy falls for girl with a boyfriend’ premise in a delightfully charming manner and throws in some of the industry’s top young actors (Kazan, Daniel Radcliffe, and Adam Driver, among others) to put a new spin on an old formula. There’s nothing archaic or tired about Kazan’s character here – she plays Chantry with a vulnerable fierceness, and it’s entirely too fun to watch her put people in their place.
In Your Eyes (2014)
This thoughtful, unique film written by Joss Whedon tells the story of two souls (Kazan and Michael Stahl-David) who are seemingly unconnected as they find out they can inexplicably communicate telepathically, allowing them to see, hear, and feel each other’s experiences. This meditative, beautifully made sci-fi movie offers a genuine portrayal of romance and demonstrates the vast emotional depth Kazan is capable of.
Kumail Nanjiani
Silicon Valley (2014 – 2017)
HBO’s award-winning comedy follows tech startup Pied Piper’s rise and falls through the brutal world of the infamous valley. Each week finds the team behind the company dealing with a new crisis (or success), and Nanjiani’s Dinesh breaks some of the tension as top-notch comedic relief and a hilarious rivalry with Gilfoyle (Martin Starr).
Where to Stream Silicon Valley
Hello, My Name is Doris (2016)
While Nanjiani doesn’t take center stage here, he does prove he’s got the chops to hold his own opposite a handful of rom-com vets. This off-beat indie love story follows Doris Miller (Sally Field) as she falls for a guy in her office half her age (Max Greenfield) and discovers a lot about herself along the way. The adorable film is written and directed by Michael Showalter, who also helms The Big Sick.
Where to Stream Hello, My Name is Doris
Portlandia (2011-Present)
While not a regular, Nanjiani has been featured in some 12-odd episodes of the Fred Armisen/Carrie Brownstein-starring sketch show, and he brings something special to it every time. He’s played characters ranging from a waiter to a cell phone clerk, and played every role with such an honest, hilarious subtlety that it’s impossible not to wish he was a more regular component of the series.
