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The Namesake [2006]
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Upwardly Mobile
Review date: 2008-08-18 Rating: 6 out of 10
This is the story of an Indian man, of the cultured Bengali middle classes, who marries a beautiful Calcutta wife in an arranged marriage, then takes her to his new home in New York City. He is called Gogol, because his father liked the 19th Century Russian writer of Shinel (here called "The Overcoat", though "Greatcoat" is a more exact meaning). The film chronicles their move not only across continents but upwards in New York or is it New Jersey suburban society (they start off in a horrid part of what looks like the Lower East Side).
Much is made of the difference between New York City and Calcutta, though in essence these two huge dirty cities have a lot in common and I wonder how long it will be before NYC has more Indians than Calcutta, just as Astoria in Queens has almost as many Greeks as there are in Athens.
The photography is great and I enjoyed the film, though in the end I just found the second half rather slow and in fact too long somehow.
Still, worth seeing.
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Reviews
Mira Nair returns... by bringing art back to cinema
Review date: 2008-02-08 Rating: 8 out of 10
If "The Namesake" had just been your usual coming-of-age story, it would be easily forgotten. But director Mira Nair ("Monsoon Wedding," "Vanity Fair") has gone beyond the usual confines of such a story to present a portrait of three people, a husband and wife, and their son, who come to moments when they lose sight of who they are, only to find through difficult times that sense of identity again. The story begins in 1971 Kolkata, a time when foreign products dazzled us and visits by expatriate relatives were pretty much the event of the year. A young Bengali settled in the US, Ashoke Ganguli (Irrfan) marries a local girl Ashima (Tabu) and they migrate to the US. Some years down the line, Ashima gives birth to a son (Kal Penn). The basic premise of the film is this: How will this child survive in American society with a name as odd sounding and tongue twisting as Gogol Ganguli? Nikolai Gogol is Ashoke's favorite author. A brilliant and eccentric man, who penned literary masterpieces like The Overcoat, he eventually starved to death.
His modern-day namesake Gogol Ganguli experiences all the usual clichés associated with people with unusual names -- his American classmates poke fun at him during lessons on Russian Literature and women raise a quizzical eyebrow at the part when he reveals his name. He grows up, very annoyed. But also, sadly, with a misconception about the origin of his name. Little does he realize that it has a more profound explanation, than he could ever imagine.
Though the premise sounds flimsy, the film breathes life into the book's characters by leaps and bounds, expanding the central idea to encompass a whole lot more. It dissects the complex lot of the American Born Confused Desi and more importantly, their attitude towards India. But sans the caricatures and the clichés. It traces a troubled son's pilgrimage back to his family and the realizations that don on prodigal children only in the face of immense tragedy. In fact, the film is a tribute to one's parents, but tackles the subject sans the emotional drama of say, a Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham. The accents, the sets, the costumes and the dialogues boast of an authenticity, which is often missing in Indian films set in a foreign country. And the cinematography boasts a host of frames rich in texture, especially in the scenes set in Kolkata.
Irrfan Khan brilliantly, effortlessly steps into the shoes (which read 'Made In USA') of the very Bengali, practical, cool-headed Ashoke, accent and all (though it slips in one or two places). The chemistry between Khan and Tabu is intense! Kal Penn has a meaty role and finally, an opportunity to act. And he does a smooth job of it. The rest of the cast measure up perfectly, like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. Though the film begins on a somber pace (and slips back off and forth), it gains momentum post Gogol's birth. Nair makes the search for one's identity both enlightening and entertaining- a journey, both internal and external, you won't regret taking.
Family relationship film with a twist
Review date: 2008-02-06 Rating: 8 out of 10
The twist being that all the usual angst,problems and happiness were there - plus a whole pile of extra cultural ones as well. It was a beautiful, thoughful, challenging film. But if you're after action and adventure this isn't your type of film.
Thoroughly good stuff
Review date: 2007-12-08 Rating: 10 out of 10
The Namesake is directed by Mira Nair, based on the novel The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri, who incidently also appeared in the movie.
The film protrays the story of American-born Gogol (named after the Russian author) who is the son of Indian immigrants Gogol struggles wanting to fit in among his fellow New Yorkers, often seemingly hampered by his family's unwillingness to let go of their traditional ways. Through the events unfolding Gogol, and so also the viewer gains a better understanding of the individual thrust into Indian-American culture.
There are some funny and tender scenes in this film, beautifully enacted by all. The naming of Gogol, and the later questioning of the reasoning behind this choice, are some of those scenes that stand out... Plenty of little surprises makes this an enjoyable film.
A drama of the highest quality
Review date: 2007-09-27 Rating: 10 out of 10
The Namesake is an excellent written drama supported by high callibre acting, powerful storyline and outstanding cinemagraphy. The ingredients of a quality cinema making are clearly demonstrated. Namesake righteously deserve its string of positive reviews. It is a movie which I can strongly relate to, as I am second generation Indian Bengal similar to the characters featured in the story.
The principal theme of the movie is about divided loyalty split between Indian Bengal roots and the American roots. The movie opening seqences include the Ganguli first sample of modern American life in New York city, as a newly wed from Calcutta. The story develops to a full fledged family in surbanan area of New York, in which the siblings loyalty is severly tested throughout the movie. This includes a trip to India to visit their inheritance and explore the rich cultural roots. The story closely ressmbles a similar lifecyle of my parents life in the UK and closely ties with mine.
The quality of acting is superb, which adds a strong touch of credibility and solidarity to the characters featured in the story of a typical Asian family living in America.
The cinemagraphy is outstanding, with the movie constantly shifting between New York and Calcutta. You gain a real flavour of cultural roots from both sides of the globe. That comment of outstanding cinemagraphy is truly justified.
Overall, a drama of the highest quality which offers a realistic account from a second generation (siblings) and first generation (parents) perspective of the transaction to a new life. The movie contains elements of high drama and emotional for viewers to absorb in. I suggest you have a handkerchief handy as some viewers may shred some tears during partiuclar delicate moments of the movie. A brilliant drama which tackled the issue of how Western and Eastern values conflicts in the most simplified manner as possible. The Namesake is a movie which I can strongly relate being a second generation Bengali and for that reason it appeals to me.
Product Details/Specifications
Actor(s):
Irfan Khan
Kal Penn
Tabu
Jacinda Barrett
Zuleikha Robinson
Creators:
Kal Penn (Primary Contributor)
Jacinda Barrett (Primary Contributor)
Director(s):
Recording label: 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
Manufacturer: 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
EAN: 5039036034562
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: Anamorphic, PAL,
Release date: 2007-07-30
Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
Audience rating: Suitable for 12 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 117 minutes
Theatrical release date: 2006
Language: English (Subtitles For The Hearing Impaired)
Language: English (Subtitled)
Language: English (Original Language)
Language: Hindi (Original Language)