From director Michael Showalter (“Wet Hot American Summer,” “Hello, My Name is Doris”) featuring Kumail Nanjiani, Zoe Kazan, Holly Hunter, Ray Romano, Anupam Kher, and Bo Burnham, “The Big Sick,” now playing at the Harbor Theatre, is rated R for language including some sexual references.

When Kumail (Nanjiani), a Pakistani-born standup comedian, signs for his girlfriend Emily (Kazan) to be put in a medically induced coma following a sudden sickness, he is forced to juggle his personal values and feelings, Emily’s bickering parents (Romano and Hunter), and his family’s adherence to tradition and difficulty understanding his pursuit of the better life.

“The Big Sick” was written by Nanjiani and his wife, Emily Gordon. It reflects their true-to-life romance off-screen. Kazan, who has written and starred in her own film, “Ruby Sparks,” plays the on-screen Emily with only her family’s last name having been changed for the film, from Gordon to Gardner.

Nanjiani and Gordon effectively turn the classic romantic comedy on its head. What a feat coming from a true story! With the production level of an Apatow Productions film, “The Big Sick” stands on its own as an original film and sets the bar high for future films of the popular genre mostly because the characters boast an authenticity and believability most comedy writers imagine they cannot afford.

I would highly recommend going to see this film not just for its comedy or romance, but for its ability to pull at the heartstrings of lovers, parents, friends and anyone who has ever struggled to find a place in the world that gives them meaning.

“The Big Sick” plays at the Harbor Theatre from Friday, Aug. 4 to Thursday, Aug. 10 at 7 p.m. with a Sunday, Aug. 6 matinee at 2 p.m.