Written by: Jhumpa Lahri(Novel)
Directed by: Mira Nair
Genre: Drama/Coming Age, India
Rated: PG-13
Running Time: 2 HRS 2 mins
Theatrical Release: March 9, 2007 Limited
Distributor: Fox Searchlight Pictures
The Cast: Kal Penn, Jacinda Barrett, Irfan Khan, Tabu, Zuleikha Robinson,
Glenne Headly, Sebastian Rochie
I had the privilege of seeing this movie The Namesake in my hometown of Philly at its premier screening last Thursday. I heard a lot of good things about this culturally enriching motion picture. The Namesake is a tender and charming Indian movie that I enjoyed very much. It brilliantly highlights Indian culture, and beautiful cinematic images of India. The Namesake is an adaptation of Jhumpa Lahri’s novel The Namesake. While I have not read the book, The Namesake this splendid movie certainly fills the gaps for viewers like myself. Lead actors Irfan Khan and Tabu provide charming roles as a genteel husband & wife and parents who grip your heart with emotions of warmth, and wit.
Kal Penn who portrays Gogol also brings on a charmingly and witty role as an up and coming adolescent, and adult that finds himself in a love triangle, a triangle that forces him to rediscover himself as an Indian born in America. Director, Mira Nair’s(Mississippi Nasala, Kama Sutra: A tale of Love Monsoon Wedding) cinematic version of The Namesake offers brilliant cinematography, and direction that wonderfully brings the ambiance of India and its culture to the screen. The Namesake is a moving motion picture that viewers will enjoy for its tender, warm and heartfelt storyline, plot, direction, and cinematography.
In this movie, a Ganglian couple living in their native country of Calcutta India have just married. Later they migrate to the United States/New York and manage in the midst of cultural differences manage to adopt to American culture. They give birth to a son, and daughter. They name their son Gogol a sentimental name derived from the name of a famous Russian writer. Irfan Khan who portrays Ashok the humble and genteel father of Gogol discovered the name Gogol when riding aboard a train in India that crashed as a result of its derailment. When Gogol grows up he has difficulty adjusting to his new name, and his Indian heritage. His relationship with an American girl seemingly goes well until they break up. Gogol meets an Indian childhood aquanaut /girl he met in the past. They marry but for Gogol this blissful Indian marriage takes its course and comes to an end when he discovers his wife is having an affair with another man.
Meanwhile, Ashok, and Ahima take their children Gogol and his sister(Jacinda Barrett) on a trip to India, so they will learn about their Indian heritage, and culture. When they return to the states life goes on for this Indian family until their beloved father leaves his family and heads to Ohio for his new job as a collage Professor. As this movie goes on we learn that Ashok has died of a massive heart attack. What happens to this next to this Ganglion family You’ll find out when you see this outstanding movie The Namesake.
Final Thoughts
I’ve pretty much expressed myself about this movie The Namesake. Again, The Namesake is a splendid movie, and well done. Its powerful storyline depicts an Indian family and Indian culture in a superbly done cinematic format. Director Mira Nair pulls no punches when giving us a charming and visually display of India and its wonderful culture. I especially found the heartfelt and tight nit warmness of this Indian family to very touching and blends with immense emotion.
The splendid displays and depictions of Indian human form and characteristics are also portrayed wonderfully by director Mira Nair along with its brilliantly done sets, design, costumes and on location shoots that ultimately amounts to wonderfully done, and brilliant use of cinematography. Acting by this talented entire cast is very well done, and well executed. I especially enjoyed the acting roles of Irfan Khan, and Tabu in their lead roles as a sweet, intelligent, and genteel Ganglion/Indian husband & wife and parents. Overall The Namesake gets 4 stars, it’s a must see motion picture.