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Product Description

Studio: Tcfhe Release Date: 10/14/2008 Run time: 114 minutes Rating: Pg13

Adapted by screenwriter Sooni Taraporevala from the novel by Jhumpa Lahiri, director Mira Nair's The Nameksake is populated by well-drawn characters and filled with memorable shots and engaging scenes. But in the larger sense, the film is a provocative look at the two sides of immigration: the adjustments faced by a couple who move here from a distant land, and the struggles of their offspring to reconcile their parents' traditional culture with their own distinctly American outlook. The tale begins in the late '70s, when aspiring engineer Ashoke Ganguli (Irfan Khan) and his new wife Ashima (the radiant Tabu) move to New York from Calcutta. Life in America is strange, in ways both good (the gas in their apartment stays on 24 hours a day! You can drink water straight from the tap!) and not-so-hot (New York's winters). But for their children, first son Gogol (a standout performance by Kal Penn, heretofore best known for the stoner comedy Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle), nicknamed for his father's favorite author, the Russian novelist Nikolai Gogol, and then daughter Sonia (Sahira Nair), "the American way" is at odds with their folks' more conservative mores. Gogol (who later adopts his more formal first name, Nikhil) smokes dope, calls his parents "you guys," goes to Yale, and hooks up with a preppie white girl (Jacinda Barrett); for her part, Sonia complains that she wants to "go home" when the family returns to India for a visit. Only when tragedy strikes suddenly does the young man realize how totally alienated from his family he has become, prompting some major changes. There's nothing especially original about any of this, and even those who haven't read the book may sense that some of Lahiri's material has been lost on the way to the screen (the treatment of Gogol's marriage to a beautiful Bengali-American girl, played by Zuleikha Robinson, seems oddly truncated). But even while dealing with life's Big Issues (birth and death, marriage and separation, joy and misery), Nair has created a winning, intimate film that reminds us of the strength of family ties and effortlessly persuades us to care. --Sam Graham

Kal Penn Blogs About The Namesake

Welcome to The Namesake DVD. After touring the festival circuit last year, our film opened globally (including North America) in March of this year, and I'm proud to bring you the DVD!

This is a project that has been close to me from the beginning. I was a big fan of the book ever since John Cho recommended it to me during the first Harold & Kumar shoot. John and I tried to get rights to turn the book into the film, but Mira [Nair, director of Monsoon Wedding and Salaam Bombay] had already acquired them. That began a really aggressive campaign on my part to try to get seen for the role. I'd call Mira's office, have my manager call - but we had no luck in getting in the door. Luckily, unbeknownst to me, Mira's son Zohran and her agent's son Sam were lobbying on my behalf (turns out they are huge Harold and Kumar fans, so they were trying to get their parents to bring me in to read for the part of Gogol). Mira finally agreed, and I got a call saying that I'd be able to audition. I flew out to New York, and luckily things worked out.

There are some similarities between my life and Gogol's. We are both Americans of Indian descent, both born and raised on the East Coast, both bilingual, and both passionate about our careers. But Gogol is much more subdued than I am; he carries a certain silence (which he gets from his father). His place in the world is one of constant shift -- a byproduct of being single in New York, being passionate about his job, close with his family, and so on.

This film is my favorite to -date. Mira has been a role model of mine since I was very young, Jhumpa [Lahiri, author of The Namesake] is one of my favorite authors, Sooni [Taraporevala, screenwriter for Salaam Bombay] one of my most admired screenwriters, so it's an honor to have the chance to be part of the screen adaptation of this story.

To me, it's a very American film. It's about family, about hope - about how we all got here, through the lens of this particular family. With so much negativity every time I turn on the television, I'm proud to be part of something that hopefully leaves the audience with a tremendous amount of hope, and a connection to the people we love. -- Kal Penn

Customer Reviews:

• A Keepsake
  `The Namesake' has several tug-of-wars going at once. Like many immigrants coming to America, there is a draw to the freedoms and folkways of our country while trying to retain the best of the culture they have left behind. Ashoke and his wife, Anshima, leave India to find adventure in the U.S. Starting a family, he names his son Gogol after a friend's favorite Russian author, Gogol Nikolai. Like many second generation Americans, Gogol (Kal Penn of 'Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle' Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle (Unrated Edition) (UMD Mini For PSP) tries to fit in socially with his friends. He listens to Pearl Jam, immerses himself in university life, and socializes with his peers. Despite all his company, his name causes him great insecurity and some insensitive jokes. Against his parent's wishes, he changes it to Nick and dates Maxine, an American girl of Northern European descent. However, changes in his life make him embrace his ancestry more enthusiastically.
  
  Later, he dates an American who shares his Indian heritage only to find this brings complications as well. When his father's health falters, he finds himself drawing near to his family. Before his father's health fails, the family goes to India where Gogol discovers the Taj Mahal and the modest residences of relatives in India. It is only later that he uncovers the real treasures of his thoughtful name and the wisdom of his father's words, "There are no accidents." Gogol must live with all these dichotomies with America his home, but India his family`s tradition--and the family members who are scattered about and affected by life's changes. How he chooses between whom he dates and where he lives and draws meaning in life is a revelation for us as well.
  
  Sometimes lost in translation, the gentle humor and heartwarming development of the movie is absorbing and varied enough to keep one's interest. Much like `My Big Fat Greek Wedding' My Big Fat Greek Wedding before it, `The Namesake' is a heart-felt keepsake....more info
• It did it again!
  I think all the other reviewers did the narrations and criticisms you may be looking for.
  
  All I can say is that this is the second time I have seen this movie and the second time it has made me cry. Wow, pretty bad for a 47 year old man, no?
  
  Great acting. Great story....more info
• 'We all come out of Gogol's Overcoat'
  Jhumpa Lahiri's very popular novel THE NAMESAKE has been successfully adapted for the screen by Sooni Taraporevala and the gifted director Mira Nair has gathered a fine cast to capture the spirit of the original story of family commitment despite cultural changes and challenges. Some of the novel's impact is lost on the big screen, but the tender message remains at the end.
  
  In India a gifted young singer Ashima (Tabu) follows her family's rules of matchmaking and marries the quiet Ashoke (Irfan Khan), and soon after the wedding festivities are over the couple depart to New York for Ashoke's career. The cultural and climate changes are a shock to both, but their marriage soon produces a boy child who, instead of being named traditionally by the grandmother in India, has to have a name assigned in the New York hospital in order to be released with a birth certificate. Out of desperation, Ashoke decides to temporarily name him Gogol (Ashoke's favorite author)-played as a child by Sohan Chatterjee - , and the family of three soon becomes a family of four with the arrival of their daughter Sonia (Sahira Nair). While the parents maintain the customs of their Bengali heritage, the two children struggle with adapting to their preferred life in America and the conflict between parent and child is magnified by the cultural disparities. As young Gogol grows toward manhood (now Kal Penn) he favors Western ways and becomes involved with a non-Indian girl Maxine (Jacinda Barrett) and her family. Gogol tires of the critical comments about his name and decides to change his name to the more traditional Nick- further evidence of his separation from his background. But family tragedies occur and Gogol finds himself drawn to his mother and to his roots. When Gogol's father dies, the significance of his family grows even stronger and being unable to identify with Maxine and her family, he instead agrees to 'date' a Bengali girl from his past - Moushumi (Zuleikha Robinson) has blossomed from the frumpy bookworm into a beautiful and experienced woman. They marry, keeping to Indian traditions, but the marriage is rocky and in the end Gogol discovers that his true happiness is in the rich family history and beauty of his native India.
  
  There are moments of rare beauty, both cinematically (camera work is by Frederick Elmes) and emotionally (musical score is a lovely creation by Nitin Sawhney), and while the film is somewhat brittle at times due to the occasional bilingual nature of the script, the main characters are portrayed by such strong actors that the little flaws become unimportant. It is well to have so many films that deal with the immigrant experience at this particular juncture in our history, and when that theme is enhanced by the beauty of authors such as Lahiri, the messages become even more poignant. Grady Harp, September 08...more info
• What a wonderful movie!
  I caught a bit of this movie recently on television and it intrigued me enough that I bought a copy. My wife and I watched it and quickly became engrossed in the lives of the characters. The story unfolds at a leisurely pace without ever becoming boring. It contains subtle subtexts of racism and cultural diversity, as well as some nice twists on the common "fish out of water" film cliches.
  
  While there is no action per se, the story itself is captivating and the cinematography is compelling. The visuals of both America and India show both the beauty and the ugliness that is abundant in both nations. The film is joyous without being artificial and tear-jerking without being melodramatic.
  
  The performances are subtle, textured, and as close to perfect as you will ever find. I guess the best compliment I can pay this little film is that my wife and I were still talking about it days after we watched it together, reliving our favorite moments. There is far more to discuss than one might think. There is multi-generational misunderstanding, cross-cultural confusion, a lifelong love story, and ultimately, the way these various issues help transform a confused young man into a mature and confident adult.
  
  There are already dozens of positives reviews here that outline the plot and the performances, and I really have nothing new to add to those comments. I just had to take a moment and rave about what is simply a diamond of a movie that the American public somehow largely overlooked....more info
• Excellent but little-known movie
  I had previously read the book of The Namesake and was very impressed with it. I found it insightful and fascinating regarding generational and cultural differences and family members' attempts to live within both worlds. After reading the book, I was convinced that someone should make a movie of it but was not aware anyone had until I mentioned this to a friend who said she had seen a movie of it, causing me then to locate a copy of it on the internet and finding it at Amazon. I highly recommend the book and the movie of same, especially since the movie does not stray from the book's storyline....more info
• Book is much better!
  The book is much better. It helps to read the book BEFORE you see the movie. My husband didn't read the book and was confused about some of the situations in the movie....more info
• 3 stars out of 4
  The Bottom Line:
  
  The Namesake kept me interested for 2 hours but it didn't deliver on its promise, instead picking and choosing which plot threads to develop and which to discard in a way that left me wanting more; it's by no means a bad film, but it's one that could have been better....more info
• Love is in your heart
  AT first I thougt that it had no point except to show America in a bad view but as time went on it surely had many points of view. Many good points of view. As an American woman married to an Indian man with four sons we were glad to see that love is most important. No one culture is better then another and that even thought we all wish our children to marry into our cultures whats is more important is their happiness and their respect for us their parents. Happiness is a gift. Each person will take what they need from this movie our family being mixed chose to see it as a good film with good views full circle....more info
• the same, but different
  A culture not usually seen is a major plus in this well acted coming of age piece. Kal Penn is likable and growing his acting rep. The director gets memorable work from the entire cast. Pleasant and enjoyable. ...more info
• Very nice!
  I just watched "The Namesake" today and I must say it was a very delightful experience. I had waited for it to be in rental DVD, as I had read a lot about the movie. I enjoyed previous Nair's films, and I have always like Tabu's work. Without reading the book, I can say it is well-executed, with beautiful photograhy and excellent music. I was anxious to see a movie that would cover the very contemporary subject of belonging to a culture via parents, and belonging to another physically. I was very very pleased with the result. The only criticism I would have is the lenght. It does cover a lot for one movie, and I was curious to know what happened to some characters after the end. Besides that it was great to see Indian actors doing a great job in an American production. Very recommendable!...more info
• "Embrace The New, Don't Forget The Old" ~ Living Life Without Borders
  The '06 release `Namesake' is a movie about living life and embracing the diversity of human experience without forgetting your family and the cultural roots from which you sprang. The most common theme in Indian films is the importance of family and loving ones parents. Though this is an American film the storyline and message are purely Indian in content and delivery.
  
  While the plot is well constructed and imbued with pathos and depth, I found the film to be a little slow in development and somewhat short on emotional peak moments necessary to keep the audience fully involved. The real strength of the film is in the wonderful performances by Tabu and Ifran Khan as the newly married couple who leave India to embrace a new life in America. They are magical together and their understated yet profound performances are a joy to watch as they journey through life tied by a bound of unspoken love slowly unfolding in the years following their arranged marriage. Also starring in `Namesake' is the popular Kal Penn as their American born son Gogol.
  
  Solid production values, excellent wistful soundtrack, poignant message and life lessons topped off by a number of excellent performances make `Namesake' a film well worth investing 122 minutes of your time....more info
• Involving Tale of Immigrant Parents and American Children, with a Sense of Humor.
  "The Namesake" is the most memorable and enjoyable of all the films about South Asian immigrant families that I've seen. Based on the novel by Jhumpu Lahiri and directed by Mira Nair, it expounds on a familiar theme: Traditional immigrant parents struggling with a new culture and perplexed by their Westernized offspring. This film is always in motion, respectful of the characters' emotions but never stopping to wallow in them. It treats the parents' conventions and perspective as a matter of fact, not as a source of conflict or an issue in need of examination. Along with the striking performances, this approach sets "The Namesake" apart from other films with a similar premise.
  
  In 1977, Ashoke Ganguli (Irrfan Khan) returns to his family home in Calcutta, India to find a bride to join him in New York, where he is a graduate student. Ashima (Tabu) is the playful, elegant young woman who agrees to marry Ashoke and embark on a new life far away from her country and family. The couple have a son, whom they name Gogol after the Russian writer whose stories played a role in a pivotal event in Ashoke's life. Gogol (Kal Penn) and his sister Sonia (Sahira Nair) grow up both fascinated and annoyed by their Indian heritage, while their parents are bewildered yet tolerant of their self-centered American children. Gogol's priorities and loyalty to family sometimes conflict, like his lifelong love-hate relationship with his name.
  
  "The Namesake" is as much about Ashima's adaptation as about Gogol's dual cultural identities. Bollywood star Tabu is beautiful but not pristinely so. Her face is so interesting that I never stopped wanting to look at her. She is radiant, self-contained, and thoroughly sympathetic. Irrfan Khan is amazing as unassuming, even-tempered Ashoke. My first impression of the cinematography was of "ordinariness". In fact, the work is very good and suits "The Namesake" perfectly. The view is always interesting. Color and design don't draw attention to themselves but reinforce the characters' authenticity. With first-rate performances and characters that make the audience curious to know them better, "The Namesake" may be Mira Nair's best film. In English and Bengali with subtitles.
  
  The DVD (20th Century Fox 2007): Bonus features include 3 deleted scenes, a theatrical trailer, 4 featurettes, and an audio commentary. "The Anatomy of The Namesake: A Class at Columbia University's Graduate Film School" (32 min) features the director, producer Lydia Dean Pilcher, DP Frederick Elmes, the production designer, editor, and casting director explaining their work and answering students' questions. "Fox Movie Channel Presents: In Character with Kal Penn" (4 min) interviews the actor about Gogol. "Kolkata Love Poem" (4 min) is a visual tribute to the locations in India, with music. "Photography as Inspiration" (8 min) showcases some photos and the scenes that drew on them. The audio commentary by director Mira Nair is constant and detailed. She discusses her inspirations, intentions, and the elements of each scene, and how the film connects the worlds of New York and Calcutta. Subtitles are available for the film in English, Spanish, French. Dubbing available in Spanish....more info
• This movie is powerful, but definitely read the novel
  The novel on which this movie is based, while not Pulitzer-winning like its author Jhumpa Lahiri's first effort (Interpreter of Maladies), is nonetheless very well written and moving. I enjoyed Interpreter of Maladies, and picked up the newer novel just before its theatrical release. Also I admire director Mira Nair's previous film Monsoon Wedding, so with the two of them collaborating to bring this story to the screen, I think they've done an excellent job. It is difficult to take such a story and all of its meaning and distill it into a couple of hours' worth of movie without sacrificing something.
  
  I never expect a movie to be significantly better than the book on which it is based, however, in a couple of places in the film, the on-screen portrayals (due to superb direction and acting) are very emotionally charged and powerful, more so than you'd experience just reading the book. In these instances, the cast really brings some of the more poignant moments of the story to life.
  
  I recommend reading the novel and THEN seeing the movie. For those who saw the movie first and felt it might have been missing something, do yourself a favor and read the book....more info
• Lovely film!
  This is a very touching film about a young woman who meets a young man by the arrangement of the parents. The story revolves anrond the couple and the life that they make for themselves and their children in America. Actor, Kal Penn, practically begged Mira Nair (director of Monsoon Wedding and Mississippi Masala) for the role he plays here. You may know him from Harold and Kumar go to White Castles or other silly comedies. Penn longed to trade in his goofy, crazy film persona for one more serious and dramatic. I'm happy to say he did a fine job here and know you can see him on televsion in the new doctor show called House. His persistance paid off.
  
  Penn's charachter is named Gogol, after Russian novelist Nikolai Gogol. Gogol doesn't like being the novelist's namesake. The film moves back and forth from Calcutta to New York and contrasts the lives of the characters in much the same way. A couple from India moves to New York and brings their traditions with them only to be scorned and laughed at by their American born children who are New Yorkers to the core.
  
  Kal Penn is correct when he states that this is an American film. This story could have been told from anyone's perspective. It could be an African family or an Irish family. The story is not really driven by nationality. The kids listen to rock and soul, smoke pot and don't really care about family customs. At some point later in the film, Gogol learns exactly why his father gave him this name. I won't spoil it for you here. Life brings changes and reactions to those changes are very different with each family member. The Namesake is definately a character driven film. Mira Nair has done a wonderful job directing here. In it one can sense the pain she felt in losing someone close to her because she uses that pain as a vehicle to drive the film, as it were. Still, the film is not as heavy handed as it could have been with another director. There is sadness but there is light heartedness which runs throughout.
  
  The cinematography is lovely especially in India. Shots of the Taj Mahal are beautiful. The entire cast performs wonderfully. Kudos to all. Tabu plays Ashima Ganguli (the mother) with modesty and grace. Irfan Khan who plays Ashoke Ganguli (the father) uses very subtle facial expressions to convey feelings and thoughts. Any more than that would have been overkill.
  
  Please enjoy this movie. Although there is some nudity, albeit brief, there are no sex scenes. This movie has been rated pg 13. ...more info
• I expected more
  This is an interesting film and I heard nothing but rave reviews for the novel-so of course when I learned they had already turned this into a film I decided to check it out. At the final credits I found myself thinking--"Is that all?" I don't know, I was hoping to be touched on a more deeper level and I just never really got there. It's a decent film, but by no means memorable....more info
• "Namesake" Shows Us Indian Culture, But How Can We Connect?
  "The Namesake", directed by Mira Nair ("Mississippi Masala", "Monsoon Wedding") and based on the Pulitzer Prize winning novel by Jhumpa Lahiri, tells the thoughtful, well-told story of a Bengali family's life in New York. The parents move to the country, try to get acclimated, have children and then try to instill traditional values in them as they grow up and deal with their own difficulties. "The Namesake" is a very good film, but it lacks just a little something to make it a great film.
  
  Ashoke (Irfan Khan, star of many Bollywood films) meets Ashima (Tabu) in India. Their parents are very keen on their marriage and both consent to become man and wife; Ashoke is clearly taken by Ashima's beauty and Ashima seems to be intrigued with the idea of living in America. Upon their arrival in New York, Ashoke immediately returns to work, leaving his new wife to acclimate to the new, cold weather surroundings alone. Soon, they have a child, Gogol, named after Ashoke's favorite author, Nikolai Gogol. Then, they have a daughter, Sonia. As the children grow, they become more and more entrenched in the American way of life, eschewing many of the parent's traditional beliefs. After graduating from college, Gogol (Kal Penn, "Harold and Kumar Go To White Castle", TV's "24") announces he wants to change his name, he can't see Gogol Ganguli on a resume getting him a good job. This causes a rift between father and son, causing discord in their relationship.
  
  Directed by Mira Nair, "The Namesake" is a beautiful looking, thoughtful film. If Nair is able to accomplish anything, it is to make her films thoughtful examinations of the challenges her characters face in a new environment, or as they strain against old-fashioned ideas and morals. Her films have concentrated primarily on the experience of Indians, both in India and America, throwing her min characters into a new situation, as they face many challenges. In "The Namesake", the story centers on the Ganguli family and it is much different than I originally anticipated.
  
  Watching the trailers, you might get the impression the film is primarily about the struggles of Gogol (Penn), as he deals with life as an Indian in the United States. Actually, his story is just a part of the overall film. The film begins in the 70s, as Ashoke travels on a train, reading a collection of works by Nikolai Gogol. Later, he meets Ashima, they marry, move to America, get to know one another, have children, and much more. The film presents a lot of detail about the lives of this family.
  
  In less capable hands, the film would completely succumb to its `melodramatic' structure, but Nair manages to keep these tendencies at bay, for most of the film. The director makes the characters very real, showing them in very natural situations. This is the history of this family, not merely a slice of life. Because of that, we watch various, representative episodes through the years, in an attempt to get a full picture of the Ganguli family.
  
  Irfan Khan has made about forty films, according to IMDB, and this is the first time I have ever seen him on screen. The majority of his work has been in Bollywood, but with this film, he appears to be branching out and has just completed a role in the Anjelina Jolie film about journalist Daniel Pearl and his wife. Khan is really good as Ashoke. He makes the character seem real by imbuing him with feelings and attitudes that seem real. He almost doesn't appear to be acting; he appears to be pulling thoughts and ideas from his real life to make this character seem more realistic. When he is happy, he smiles slightly, when he is upset, his eyes narrow and he stares at the person he is talking to. He isn't effusive, but realizes he has to protect his family and try to live with their mistakes, even if he disagrees.
  
  Tabu is also very good as Ashima, the Ganguli family matriarch. As soon as she arrives in America, she tries to acclimate, on her own, but finds it too much. When Ashoke realizes this, he becomes much more compassionate, maybe even falls in love with her a little more. As she grows older, and her children grow older, she becomes more of a patriarch, more of a guiding force in her children's lives.
  
  Kal Penn is probably the most recognizable face in the cast. He is good, but he is not a great actor. Penn is capable of delivering the emotions necessary to portray Gogol, the young man torn between tradition and his desire to be a modern American, but he only delivers the one emotion, or thought, never making his character seem real. When Gogol is supposed to be sad, Penn frowns. When he is happy, Penn smiles. There is never anything underneath the surface, never a layer of conflict or a layer of any other emotion than the one he is supposed to portray at that given moment. This makes his performance serviceable, but not much else.
  
  Initially, I thought the film would be primarily about Gogol, which would mean a lot of screen time for Penn. I was surprised to find the film is more of a family portrait, charting the course of this family's journey to America and how they deal with all of their problems. This helps the film because it takes the focus off of Penn and let's the other actors, the better actors, contribute to the success of the film. The other actors are better.
  
  Jacinda Barrett ("Poseidon", "School for Scoundrels") appears as Gogol's American girlfriend. And she is also serviceable. It is easy to see why he would be attracted to her, physically, but she is also a little boring. She is always smiling, a little giggly, which fits her character well. But we never really learn anything about her. At one point, Gogol asks her about her dreams and ambitions. Her replay is "I don't want to think about it now".
  
  Nair has a real knack for pulling away the layers, allowing her characters to show their feelings in a natural way. Ashoke is a complicated character, and we see that in just about every scene, every conversation, every action. Nair allows the character to retain their Indian roots and heritage, yet deal with life in America. Throughout the film, the family has traditional celebrations, interacts with the Indian community and through these moments, we get a glimpse of this culture. I am not an expert, but because these moments are so thoughtful, and interesting, I have no doubt they are also realistic as well.
  
  "The Namesake" is a well-made and thoughtful film, but because of the very reasons it is well made, it is less than great. Because the film covers so much territory, it seems slightly melodramatic, cutting through the film's power like a knife to butter. The scenes are well done and get the message across, but they give the film an episodic structure. There is an overall theme to the film, Gogol accepting his heritage and identity, and there is another layer below that, which I won't reveal, but because the scenes are episodic, they don't allow the story to generate any heat or power, to make it resonate with the viewer. The final moments will move you, I just wish there were more moments like this throughout the film.
  
  As you watch, you will become engrossed in the lives of these characters, then the story shifts, and you have to become familiar with them again, at this new point in their lives. This isn't bad, but these scenes don't always grab us, and demand our attention. After a while, they become a little routine and our attention shifts.
  
  "The Namesake" is a well-made film, worth your attention, but it is not an incredible film, or a memorable film. You will likely only remember it when you hear about Mira Nair's next film.
  ...more info
• The Namesake
  
  
  The Namesake is a moving film about many things. It includes aspects of relationships, love and loss, family, and traditions. But it is mostly about connecting with one's true self. Through great performances from its principals, this concept is beautifully conveyed.
  
  The film opens in India as we are introduced to young Ashima and Ashoke who are about to be wed through an arranged marriage. Thus begins a relationship that will anchor and become one of the main themes of the movie. Soon after being wed, Ashoke who lives in America relocates Ashima there as well. Having spent time in America already, Ashoke is right at home in New York where they now live. Not so for Ashima. She is at first taken aback at being so far from her home, in a strange land and knowing no one. Her aloneness is strikingly played. Through the passage of time, and with help from her new, loving husband, she gradually begins to grow more comfortable here. Eventually, they start a family; having first a son named Gogol, and a daughter - Sonia. The naming of Gogol (he was named after Ashoke's favorite author Nikolai Gogol), becomes another central theme in the movie.
  
  As time passes, and Gogol gets older, the focus shifts towards his life and relationships. He decides to study architecture, after a trip back to India with his parents after the death of Ashima's father. After graduation, he becomes romantic with Maxine, who is not at all the type of girl for a Bengali Indian, straining his relationship with his parents. Another central theme is the disregard of the children toward their parents' Indian customs and culture. After struggling with a tragic event, Gogol and Maxine eventually break up. Ashima suggests that he re-connect with childhood friend Moushumi, who is also Bengali, and they hit it off and eventually marry. Sadly, this relationship would end also after Moushumi has an affair with an old flame.
  
  The relationship of Ashoke and Ashima is also changed through a tragic event and we get to see Ashima dealing with being alone again. Her portrayal is particularly impressive here. Meanwhile, Gogol is coming to grips with loss and delving into some very personal realms where he ends up finding himself.
  
  This film is remarkably beautiful in its cinematography, with scenery and locations that are vivid and exotic. You can almost smell Calcutta in several scenes. The editing is sharp and seamless as twenty five years passes in only two hours without feeling rushed or strained. Director Mira Nair did an outstanding job leading the actors to deliver such emotional and drawing performances.
  
  One other theme that is evident in the picture, although in a small way, is that of religion. In a few scenes, there are depictions of traditional Indian/Hindu wedding ceremonies. These are very colorful and joyous occasions. Very different from our Western practices, and I might add, a little more appropriate. There is also a customary Indian funeral ceremony where the mourners gather in the home and chant and pray, and another in India where the ashes are scattered in the Ganges River as is the custom of that religion.
  
  The Namesake is a must-see if for no other reason, than we can all relate in some way to a character in this film, and learn to look inward at ourselves more deeply than before.
  ...more info
• The Namesake
  The Namesake is a beautiful illustration of the struggle a family faces while the parents try to maintain their traditional cultural rituals and norms while their children seem to be more influenced and impressed by Western cultural norms. The clash between the traditional narrow socialization of their native country and the broad socialization found here in America is demonstrated in several instances throughout the film. It is also however, quite a touching, poignant love story about the parents who evolved from an arranged marriage of strangers to a dedicated marriage of soulmates....more info
• Lackluster filmmaking not worthy of the message
  There was enough interest generated in The Namesake movie during its release, I felt it was worth renting it now. The movie is about an Indian family living their lives out in America. I was disappointed by this movie.
  
  Cinematography was annoyingly inconsistent. Some scenes gave too much space above or below the actors. Others where just simply centered on the scene itself, without much regard to where the actors actually were in the scene.
  
  Acting was good sometimes, but shoddy at other times. Some of the scenes lost importance because the acting wasn't up to par. This one scene where the father is trying to have a conversation about life with his son didn't work at all because Kal Penn was trying so hard to be the teenage with angst that it actually distracted from the moment instead of making the moment what it was meant to be (and needed to be) for the film. I would say it was a case of overacting, but I think a better word for it is wrong-acting. Also, other scenes suffered from a lack of acting effort.
  
  Editing was not well conceived or executed. The flashbacks of Gogol's character (Ken Penn) came off as just cheesy. Some scenes were awkwardly cut in order to hold off on that portion of the story until later in the movie. This, unfortunately, made the movie seem like it dragged on, with random spatterings of story telling.
  
  Overall, the story felt disjointed, without much reason for why it was edited this way. The story itself meandered from point to point. There was no real main character, though it was supposed to be Gogol. Most of the movie seemed aimless. Character motivation was poorly executed. Again, Gogol's character kinda just took action that didn't really have a solid explanation. It made the character seem extremely superficial, even as he faced up to his heritage (which I am sure was an unintentional impression by the film maker). Well, either way the story wasn't well written.
  
  The movie appeared to be a jumbled mess. I can't understand what many of the critics saw in this movie. It was a lackluster attempt to show something didn't really end up being all the important to the story (why the main character was named Gogol). This movie seemed to be an independent film for which the big studios wisely did not waste their money. I'm sure I would've cared about this movie more were I of Indian background, but even then I would have to admit it was not an example of good film making....more info
• What is it in a name?
  What is it in a name that defines us? How did our parents decide upon our names? Some of us are named after our fathers and grandfathers (or mothers and grandmothers) for traditional purposes, others are given names because they were "trendy names" at the time and picked out of baby books. Some of us were given names that have a much deeper meaning, and such is true for our main character in the "Namesake" Gogol.
  
  His parents, both bourn and raised in India make the journey to the U.S for a better life and opportunity not only for themselves, but for the children's future. Their lives and cultures tend to clash with American culture, and their children (although being bourn Indian) are raised within American culture and do not have the same ties to their Indian heritage as their parents do.
  
  Gogol, struggles with his name and does not understand the reasons for it, being named after a famous Russian author who was deemed "crazy" but a genius at the same time. To distance himself from it, he decides to change his name from his "pet name" to Nickoli which was his true name, but never put on the birth certificate. His busy "American life" distances himself from his parents, of which they do not understand. How can friends and business be more important than his family?
  
  Both brother and sister being steeped in American culture cause both frustration and heartache for their parents. Gogol, who despised his given name, learns later on how he came to get that name given to him by his father. The encounter with a train passenger, a terrible train derailment and life changing experience is how he came to be. Gogol's father dies suddenly and only then does he truly begin to understand and embrace his culture, and to accept his true name given to him.
  
  You don't have to be "Indian" to connect with the story. Families are "universal" and watching this film as it unravels over a 25 year span, the message really hits home of the importance of family and our given name. Many names have allot more to them than some of us might know or understand, and that our parents truly deserve more credit than recognized for. This was a very enjoyable film from start to finish, and it has a great soundtrack to back it up. Highly recommended to see, you won't be disappointed.
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• Truly Universal and Cathartic Adaptation of Lahiri's Time-Spanning Novel
  Meticulously observed and wonderfully heartfelt, this time-spanning 2007 family dramedy represents a return to form for director Mira Nair, who faltered somewhat with 2004's elaborate but lugubrious Vanity Fair. This one is also a literary adaptation but this time from a contemporary best-seller by Jhumpa Lahiri, who wrote an emotionally drawn story about first generation Bengali immigrants to the United States and their U.S.-born children. It's an intricate book full of careful nuances, and Nair, along with screenwriter Sooni Taraporevala, captures most of them in a most loving manner. The story speaks fluently to the universal struggle to extricate ourselves from the obligation of family and a perceived enslavement to the past. Nair and Taraporevala manage to transcend the necessarily episodic nature of the novel to make it an involving journey toward self-acceptance.
  
  The film initially focuses on Ashoke Ganguli and his arranged marriage to Ashima, a classically trained singer. The young couple move from Calcutta in 1977 to Queens in order for him to pursue his career as an electrical engineer. The adjustment is difficult, especially for Ashima in assimilating into the often cold U.S. culture, and these quiet scenes show a keen eye for subtle observation. They quickly have two children in succession, son Gogol and daughter Sonia. Gogol's name is the key plot point as he was inadvertently after Ashoke's favorite writer, Nikholai Gogol, and this is revealed to have greater significance as the story unfolds. Eventually, the film switches the perspective to Gogol's as he grows up, changes his name to Nikhil and starts his life as a yuppie architect in Manhattan.
  
  At the same, the film does not abandon Ashoke and Ashima as they remain significant figures in shaping Gogol's destiny, especially as the impact of a tragic turn brings unexpected changes. The cathartic aspect of these scenes is what makes the film powerful. Moreover, with her filmmaking experience in her native India and the U.S., Nair brings a seamless fluency to both locales. The movie falters a bit toward the end when it starts to ramble and feel pat, but the story's old world gravitas rescues it just in time. Beforehand I was convinced Kal Penn would be the spoiler in this film, but he gives a sharp, dedicated performance as Gogol. Poised to be taken seriously as an actor even amid his White Castle and Van Wilder movies, he seems a bit exaggerated only in the early teenage scenes which recall those other movies.
  
  However, it is the superb work of Irfan Khan and Tabu as his parents that make the film soar. Both bring a level of assurance and compassion that ground the film completely, especially Tabu who makes the seemingly modest character arc of Ashima really striking. Playing yet another variation of the spoiled American girl, Jacinda Barrett again proves how fearless an actress she can be in exposing the vanity and ignorance of Maxine, Gogol's first serious girlfriend. As Moushumi, the Bengali girl who comes with the family's seal of approval, Zuleikha Robinson has a ripe presence to match her character's aspiring worldliness. Cinematographer Frederick Elmes and production designer Stephanie Carroll provide masterful work in capturing the diverse flavors of the different locales. This film is for anyone who has struggled to forge his or her own identity only to find the need to embrace the past, especially those of us who have parents who displayed the courage to move from their native lands.
  
  The 2007 DVD offers a robust set of extras, and the best is easily Nair's informative commentary track full of both professional and personal insights. Instead of the standard making-of featurette, we have a half-hour video, "Anatomy of `The Namesake': A Class at Columbia University's Graduate Film School" in which Nair and producer Lydia Dean Pilcher discuss more technical aspects of the filmmaking with the school's film students. There are a couple of photo gallery shorts emphasizing the film's impressive visuals, one covering the film overall and the other specific to Kolkata. Rounding out the extras are three brief deleted scenes (with optional commentary), a short interview with Penn, and several theatrical trailers....more info
• Four and Half Stars
  This is both Mira Nair's most comprehensive work and Kal Penn's most engulfing role. He made a wise choice doing this film. I love character-driven dramas, and this one is quite a mixture of heart felt emotion. It's true to Nair's style and Indian heritage in that movies can depict complex emotion without becoming too syrupy. Kal Penn is a winner in this one, and I'd love to see him in more dramas. Up til now we've seen him in nothing but bombastic comedies save for Superman Returns in which he had no speaking part, but it always does an actor good when he exhibits versatility. In one scene, he discovers a secret about his wife and for a split second, there's a forceful bit of rage which makes you go "Wow! Didn't know he had it in him." You want to see more of that. I don't think it's a long shot to say that Kal Penn has Oscar potential because there obviously is more hidden talent within him than meets the eye. Like Jamie Foxx, Penn is anchored in comedy, easily pulled off by his very funny persona; however, I think his strongest suit is drama, and we need to see more of it. He just needs more venues to express it.
  
  Irffan Khan and the ever excellent Tabu pull off extraordinary performances. Bravo to Mira Nair and her crew....more info
• Conflicts of Immigrant Cultures
  "The Namesake" is a look into the lives of an immigrant Bengali-American family as two generations cope with conflicts of culture and life. The parents assimilate into American life, arriving in this country as married grown adults. They adhere to their Bengali traditions but learn to build new lives, far away from their roots and relatives. The children, born in this country, regard themselves as "American" first, and seek to reconcile their family's upbringing and Bengali traditions with the secular, loose, American lifestyle. These are often in conflict.
  
  "The Namesake" refers to why the father, Ashoke, named his son "Gogol", honoring the famed but flawed Russian author. Ashoke was reading one of Gogol's books while talking to a fellow train passenger outside Calcutta when there was a tragic train wreck. Before dying, the passenger advised Ashoke that life was short and to get out of India and see the world. This was a life transforming experience, and as one of the few survivors of the wreck, Ashoke took his advice and ended up living and raising a family in America. The name "Gogol" was a problem for the boy, making him the target of ridicule. The idea of names and identity is a theme throughout the movie.
  
  This is an excellent movie that feels Indian but not Bollywood. There is something universal about the problems immigrants face on coming to America, and the impacts on the next generation. The movie talks to people of all immigrant backgrounds in a genuine and realistic way. It is truly a beautiful, powerful film.
  
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• Good Unknown Film
  This movie is a great film from this year, but not really a buy unless you love the story enough to watch it over again....more info
• Message conveyed is stronger than movie itself
  While "The Namesake" does deliver a strong message about family and identity, the movie is seemingly less than the sum of its parts, and especially less than its underlying message.
  While it does have some strong and moving scenes, and scenes that those in similar situations to the characters will know and understand, the movie is often episodic without enough connection made between the scenes. We catch glimpses of their lives, but the filmmaker doesn't quite connect how those scenes affect their lives and understanding as the characters grow older. I'm not asking to be spoonfed the meanings of the scenes (we get enough spoonfeeding of the obvious in most Hollywood movies), but it often feels we're just jumping from one episode to another with little transition and little reason as to why we saw that moment in their lives. It's like a book of snapshots, one snapshot's done and we quickly move on as if each "picture" exists independently of the others.
  Even the scene of the father telling his son, Gogol, how he got his name isn't as powerful as it could be. Again, I'm not asking for overdone Hollywood histrionics, but more of a feeling than "OK, the scene ends here, let's move on..."
  It's still worth watching, but if one purchases it, they'll probably be watching more scenes than others to get the heart in this rather softly directed effort....more info
• Read the book first!
  I read the book first and then watched the movie. The story is great, but the book contains so much that the movie left out. Throughout the movie, I kept having to explain to my husband what was happening based on what I remembered based on the book. I think it's still worth watching, just read the book first!...more info
• Loved the book and the movie....very reminiscent.....
  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....more info