The Namesake

Moving and beautifully shot.

i LOVED this movie-so many messages about what love is and what it isn't

Director/producer Mira Nair (Vanity Fair'04) brings yet another deeply personal story to the screen - based on the book by Pulitzer Prize-winning writer Jhumpa Lahiri, with a screen adaption by prize winner Sooni Taraporevala. Director Nair invests a great deal of effort into analyzing the generation gap in an Indian-American family, as they navigate their differences in moral and ethical issues, alongside their traditional family ties from the mother country. Irrfran Kahn (Life of Pi) gives us another superb performance as the father, while gifted Indian actress Tabu equals him as his dedicated wife. Together they try earnestly to connect with their adolescent son (Kal Penn) who's drifting towards a ‘modern' shallow existence - failing to connect with those who have dedicated their lives to supplying a loving family base. Cinematography and Music play an important part in guiding the audience's attention through the multi-layered issues that live within this quality, mature work.

Is it possible to overcome the culture clash?

I read the book first, and recommend that, as there is much more content in the book that there isn't time for in the movie. But the movie added a wonderful taste of the flavor of the Bengali lives, and the actors playing the mother and father were superb and made those characters really come alive.

It was a pretty good generational drama. I enjoyed most of it, Irrfan Khan can make any movie watchable. I didn't like the pretentious son and his acting though.

There are few films that accurately capture the struggles of being a first-generation immigrant in the US. Disclaimer: I have not read the book before watching this film so my review may be biased. The Namesake is a beautiful film that weaves together the life of father & son and their journey through life. It contrasts the traditional Indian life vs idealistic American values. It's a movie about father-and-son love, family, and one's own identity in the world. This is a film that gets its viewers invested in every character. From the start, the legendary Irrfan Khan plays one of the most memorable roles I've seen as Ashoke Ganguli. We get a sense of adventure that awaits him before he moves to America. As the movie goes on, we also get to see Ashoke becoming the well-meaning loving father who only wants the best for his family. Kal Penn plays the rebellious Gogol/Nikhil/Nick who feels frustrated with why he is "different." Audiences understand his sense of rebellion and seeking his own place in the world. And Tabu plays a stellar performance as Ashima. We get a sense of understanding as she gives up her old life for a new one in a foreign country. The Namesake is an emotional and beautiful film that blends cultures. Mira Nair did wonders with the plot and bringing the stories and characters to life. Small subtleties from the first-generation experience are captured that few people understand. It's a beautiful film that deserves praise. 4.5/5. Congrats to Mira Nair & Jhumpa Lahiri for bringing to life such a wonderful story.

The whole arranged marriage thing is so bizarre to me and I don't think I'd agree with it for myself personally, I mean unless the girl is exactly my type and we end up hitting it off. It's so crazy though how they just met, got married and literally a day after they're off to America. But wow, Ashima is really pretty, he definitely lucked out with her. She's a sexy woman. That was kind of sad how Ashima was trying to get in touch with Gogol to tell him happy birthday but couldn't reach him. Oh my god… my heart sank when they told her Ashoke passed away from a heart attack. I like how Gogol shaved his head, almost like he's been reborn. Oh wow, that uptight girl that detested American television really grew up to be a sexy chick, goddamn! Hmm, I knew this new hot chick was going to be trouble. When she mentioned she had a lot of affairs, I was like shit I don't know about her. I really love and admire this movies honest look at cultural tradition and family matters. I like how the movie presents the importance of coming to terms with your heritage and background from a young person's point of view. There's something very beautiful about Indian culture and tradition. It's enlightening. The whole belief in reincarnation and passing on. I felt myself relating to it on different levels. This movies about the importance of family, tradition, it's about the importance of heritage and background, it's about the ups and downs of romance and love, but most importantly it's about learning to move on especially from those most difficult and trying times in life. I loved this movie and I would watch it again in a heartbeat. This is one I want to own.

Really good sad but interesting movie starring kal Penn and the guy from Slumdog millionaire. This movie makes you feel for the family and you get to see every perspective of the family except gogols little sister but she wasn't that important to the story. Gogol is a really interesting character and you get to see him grow from a little kid to a obnoxious teenager to a wise adult. It felt like I got to meet gogol and I like when you feel like you have a personal connection with a character in this movie. The dad was good, same with the mom. This movie is just really good and you need to watch this. It feels like a rollercoaster ride of life.

Moving and beautifully shot.