Morgan Bell
Kynaston
REVIEW: The Namesake
September 11th 2008 13:43
Directed: Mira Nair (Vanity Fair, Monsoon Wedding, Mississippi Masala)
Written: Sooni Taraporevala (Mississippi Masala) - based on the novel by Jhumpa Lahiri
Starring: Kal Penn (Epic Movie, Van Wilder, Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay), Tabu (Maqbool, Meenaxi: A Tale of Three Cities), Irfan Khan (Maqbool, The Darjeeling Limited, A Mighty Heart), Jacinda Barrett (Bridget Jones: The Edge Of Reason, The Last Kiss), Zuleikha Robinson (Hidalgo, The Merchant Of Venice)
This is the story of the Ganguli family which explores the significance of a persons name and the the meanings behind which names we choose to keep and which names we choose to change. The Ganguli family begins with a young Indian husband, Ashoke (Khan), and wife, Ashima (Tabu), and follows their lives as they immigrate to America and have children of their own. This film explores the clash of cultures between Indian and Western life and the difficilties that immigrants have assimilating in a foreign land. What makes this film different is that it isnt full of negativity and racism, the battles are internal.
Ashoke and Ashima name their son Gogol after the Russian author as one of his books marks a significant milestone in their lives which was the catalyst for their desire to travel. This name is a "pet" name which they assigned until the extended family selct a "god" name, a tradition of their Bengali heritage. During his lifetime Gogol (Penn) alternates between his pet name and his god name, Nikhil, for different reasons. Having been raised in America he sometimes struggles to relate to his parents and their seemingly different values. Gogols journey is contrasted with his sisters experience, the experience of his Western friends, and the experience of his lovers. The significance of ones name and the respect it should be given is raised many times during the film, including whether a woman should change her surname in marriage, and Gogol/Nikhil learns much in life due to the importance the people around him place on his name.
The Namesake is a thoroughly enjoyable "foreign" (it is partially subtitled) film. Overall it is an uplifting experience but it is a tear-jerker in places. The film examines generational and cultural differences between characters and spans enough time to include the births, deaths and marriages that make up human life. It is refreshing to see Penn in a serious role and the performances of Tabu and Khan were touching and genuine.
The Namesake is cleverly written and little glimpses of humour peek out when you least expect it . . .
Ashoke: There is something I always wanted to ask you, but never had the courage. All those years ago, why did you say yes to me?
Ashima: You were the best of the lot.
Ashoke: Huh?
Ashima: Better than the widower with four children or the cartoonist with one arm . . . I also liked your shoes.
Ashoke: Oh. Oh, okay.
Ashima: Hmm, you want me to say "I love you," like the Americans.
TRAILER - THE NAMESAKE
Written: Sooni Taraporevala (Mississippi Masala) - based on the novel by Jhumpa Lahiri
Starring: Kal Penn (Epic Movie, Van Wilder, Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay), Tabu (Maqbool, Meenaxi: A Tale of Three Cities), Irfan Khan (Maqbool, The Darjeeling Limited, A Mighty Heart), Jacinda Barrett (Bridget Jones: The Edge Of Reason, The Last Kiss), Zuleikha Robinson (Hidalgo, The Merchant Of Venice)
This is the story of the Ganguli family which explores the significance of a persons name and the the meanings behind which names we choose to keep and which names we choose to change. The Ganguli family begins with a young Indian husband, Ashoke (Khan), and wife, Ashima (Tabu), and follows their lives as they immigrate to America and have children of their own. This film explores the clash of cultures between Indian and Western life and the difficilties that immigrants have assimilating in a foreign land. What makes this film different is that it isnt full of negativity and racism, the battles are internal.
Ashoke and Ashima name their son Gogol after the Russian author as one of his books marks a significant milestone in their lives which was the catalyst for their desire to travel. This name is a "pet" name which they assigned until the extended family selct a "god" name, a tradition of their Bengali heritage. During his lifetime Gogol (Penn) alternates between his pet name and his god name, Nikhil, for different reasons. Having been raised in America he sometimes struggles to relate to his parents and their seemingly different values. Gogols journey is contrasted with his sisters experience, the experience of his Western friends, and the experience of his lovers. The significance of ones name and the respect it should be given is raised many times during the film, including whether a woman should change her surname in marriage, and Gogol/Nikhil learns much in life due to the importance the people around him place on his name.
The Namesake is a thoroughly enjoyable "foreign" (it is partially subtitled) film. Overall it is an uplifting experience but it is a tear-jerker in places. The film examines generational and cultural differences between characters and spans enough time to include the births, deaths and marriages that make up human life. It is refreshing to see Penn in a serious role and the performances of Tabu and Khan were touching and genuine.
The Namesake is cleverly written and little glimpses of humour peek out when you least expect it . . .
Ashoke: There is something I always wanted to ask you, but never had the courage. All those years ago, why did you say yes to me?
Ashima: You were the best of the lot.
Ashoke: Huh?
Ashima: Better than the widower with four children or the cartoonist with one arm . . . I also liked your shoes.
Ashoke: Oh. Oh, okay.
Ashima: Hmm, you want me to say "I love you," like the Americans.
TRAILER - THE NAMESAKE
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Comment by Cibbuano
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Comment by Bryn
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Comment by Morgan Bell
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Artist Quirk
well now i will have to make a point of seeing Monsoon Wedding!
i have become a fan of Nair after seeing The Namesake so it is good to hear other work being described as tremendous!
hi Bryn,
i just googled and the Earth, Water, Fire movies are directed by Deepa Mehta
Comment by Jeannine Baird
Clean Green Neen
Check out "Migration" at www.jaman.com, for a short film by Mira Nair, with Khan in one of the roles. He's also fun to watch in a film called "Metro", which also stars Shilpa Shetty.
Comment by Morgan Bell
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hey thanks for suggesting that website, i will go check it out . . . they certainly are a talented bunch of people!
oh and Shilpa Shetty of UK Big Brother fame? haha that sounds pretty interesting too!
thanks for stopping by, im glad you enjoyed the film!
Comment by Jeannine Baird
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Comment by Mike Crowl
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Comment by Morgan Bell
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i totally agree with your comments, The Namesake provides a rare insight into cultural transition related to immigration . . . i enjoyed it very much and would love to see it again too!
thanks for stopping by!
Comment by Bryn
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Comment by Morgan Bell
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yep Mira Nair is credited as the director on Kama Sutra: A Tale of Love (1996)