Laravel

Outsiders - Blog Posts

jjayolsen

6 years ago

New Instant Classics

Diversity has *sprung* into mainstream films--no, not saying there still aren’t issues there because there definitely are, but there are different people making films, starting in films, writing in films, directing films--everything that makes more diverse stories be told. Considering the large number of crap sequels and prequels that have flooded cinemas, there stories being told by film, books, thru art...even Youtube, are welcome. Two films that recently I would define as instant classics, I put here because they are films that tell a classic story and would have been long time classics had they been allowed to tell generations ago, both stories also I didn’t realize until I began to type, star male leads who are portraying their real life, personal stories: Kumail Nanjiani and Menashe Lustig.

The Big Sick is great for a lot of reasons, a modern twist on Romeo and Juliet it deals with cultural differences and inner conflict in both a light-hearted and serious way. It’s hard to go not on a twenty page rant about this film, as everyone can agree with both Kumail and Emily about their romantic relationship, but I believe what spoke to many who saw it—and what makes it an instant classic—is that we see the strength of a relationship at it’s worse, and how some people are just intertwined in who you are. I will not speak on behalf of the character of Emily or the real-life woman, but I do believe even with her annoyance that had the situation been reversed, she still would have been there for him.

Long story short, Menashe tells the story of due to cultural conditions must get remarried after his wife’s passing in order to get his son back. While I struggle to understand the BS argument that’s never made, we also watch Menashe and Menashe’s son struggle with being and not being together, both being adored (Mesashe by his son) and outsiders due to circumstance that may not be worth changing. Along with an insight to a very close-knit community, most importantly the film brings back to all the father and son bond when good, when complicated, when desperate and the inner struggle of what is most important**