The Namesake
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Movie Reviews of The Namesake
Movie Review: Nair's adaption takes Jhumpa Lahiri's novel to a new level
Summary: 5 Stars
As much as I liked Jhumpa Lahiri's novel, Mira Nair's film adaptation of it is even better in my opinion. Lahiri's novel is written at times in the matter of a "just the facts" accounting. Nair, however, has succeeded in unearthing the emotional high points of the book and staging them in stirring fashion. Two scenes stand out in particular: the drama of the opening train scene and the interaction between passangers Ashoke and Ghosh are a heart-stopping beginning to the film; and the scene in which Ashoke finally reveals to Gogol the symbolic relevance of his name raises goose-bumps even thinking about it. Great stuff from Mira Nair. Between this work and 'Monsoon Wedding,' she's created two of my favorites.
The film's real revelation is the acting ability of Kal Penn. Previously known and typecast only for stoner-like roles, Nair took a flyer here on Penn and came up a winner. He's brilliant. He pretty much has to be, as he's in just about every scene. Irfan Khan and Tabu are also fantastic as parents Ashoke and Ashima. I love how Ms. Nair is able to pick actors from the US and Bollywood film worlds and make them work as a family.
Movie Review: Another hit for director Mira Nair
Summary: 5 Stars
Well she has done it again-Mira Nair has yet brought to the screen another winning,beautiful and lyrical tale that brings great satisfaction.This time Nair has brought us the adaptation of the Pulitzer Prize winning novel, THE NAMESAKE.While this story may seem familiar in other forms,it has the universally identifiable themes of family and tradition vs assimililation into another culture-this time Indian style!Nair takes us from Calcutta to New York following two generations of the Ganguli family and their struggle to remain Indian and yet at the same time be American.The three characters that remain at the heart of the story are the two parents and their son,Gogol.Each character is fully developed and each has a definite epiphany about where they are headed in life.This film is definite Oscar material and can be thoroughly enjoyed by anyone.The pacing,like the novel,is slow and deliberate,yet not at all plodding.The story builds to the proper climax and the viewer will be carried along and will be caught up in this wonderful,absorbing story.Again....another hit for Mira Nair!Movie Review: A Lovely Story to Behold
Summary: 5 Stars
This movie is heartbreakingly beautiful in all its moments. It tells the story of Gogol Ganguli, an American born of traditional Bengali parents who immigrated to the U.S. shortly after their arranged marriage in India.
The story of how he came to have the name he later loathes (and even later learns to appreciate). His struggle to find his way straddling both worlds, traditional and american. The gentle unwavering love and devotion from his parents not only for him but for each other. In a fit of mourning, he rejects his first love because she isn't Indian, but doesn't find what he hoped when he marries a woman who shares his traditional roots.
The scene in the car, with Gogol's father telling him about that life altering train ride that inspired his name, is just POWERFUL.
The raw unguarded pain of Gogol's mother standing in the cold front yard after she learns of the death of his father.
And the quiet peace with which the characters make their choices and live their lives is gorgeous to watch.
Movie Review: Loved the book and the movie....very reminiscent.....
Summary: 5 Stars
I listened to the audio version narrated by Sarita Choudhury over a period of weeks while driving around and loved it. I remember vividly the times it brought me to tears or when I would sit in the parking lot of a grocery store mesmerized by the story. Today, I finally watched the movie with my daughter on DVD and both of us loved the movie. We weren't too embarrassed to cry and often just watched quietly with a lump in our throats. I think it means more to someone who can relate to that type of family background, who also came to this country as a student. I especially liked how Mira Nair was able to portray so well, the strong bond of affection between Ashok and Ashima. Having read the book, I could feel all the emotions Ashima was feeling....Tabu is just superb in this role. My only wish for the book was that Jhumpa Lahiri had developed the daughter's character a little more. I know how central a daughter's role is in an Indian family and it seemed like Sonia was always in the background. All in all, a top ten favorite.Movie Review: Beautiful Story, Delightful Movie
Summary: 5 Stars
So many movies today follow the predictable cookie-cutter mold, it's refreshing to see a movie like The Namesake that stands apart from the bland/dumb humor/little plot productions.
The Namesake explores the life of an immigrant family in the 1970's U.S. Ashoke and Ashima are a young Indian couple living in New York, adjusting to their new life, and walking the line between a traditional Indian lifestyle and their new American one. The characters deal with raising children in a new culture, sickness, death, love, betrayal, loneliness, etc. Although The Namesake has its joyful moments, I think its focus is on the struggles and the hard decisions that go into living in a foreign country; parents making the sacrifice of leaving their home for the sake of their children, and watching their children absorb the foreign culture and grow up into people they no longer understand.
The Namesake has it all - touching story, superb performances by the whole cast, beautiful cinematography.