The Namesake (DVD, 2007)

Palo Alto Weekly: "No one seems better suited to transform Jhumpa Lahiri's touching prose into film than Mira Nair. Both the Pulitzer Prize-winning writer of "Interpreter of Maladies" and the director of "Salaam Bombay" and "Monsoon Wedding" know firsthand about the Indian-American immigrant experience, the clash of cultures, and the search for identity that informs their art. Adapted from Lahiri's eponymous first novel, "The Namesake," a deeply felt family drama, doesn't disappoint.

The narrative unfolds differently than the story in the best-selling 2003 book. Starting more dramatically with the tragic train crash that spares bookworm Ashoke's (Irrfan Khan) life in 1974 India, Sooni Taraporevala's script initially favors the male point of view. Then time leaps forward to the awkward meeting between Ashoke and Ashima (Tabu), whose parents have arranged for their marriage. When asked if she will be lonely living halfway around the world from her family, the shy beauty looks at her future husband and replies, "Won't he be there?" Humor and humanity go hand in hand, as the newlyweds embrace each other and life in America.

Nair's assured direction deftly handles a story that spans generations, while straddling the Ganges and the Charles River. She captures fleeting memories in quick flashbacks, a technique that can appear clichŽd in less capable hands. Rarely can a film shift from one character to another with such subtlety and sensitivity, belonging first to Ashoke and then chronicling Ashima's assimilation difficulties in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Eventually the young couple's first-born child, Gogol (Kal Penn), struggles the most to find his footing and the true meaning of his odd literary name.

Cinematographer Frederick Elmes splashes his cinematic canvas of Calcutta with vibrant color, only to wash it all away during the East Coast winter -- recalling the lenser's work on "Blue Velvet" and "The Ice Storm," respectively. Although Lahiri's telling details draw readers into the emotional and cultural life of her characters in ways that the film cannot, Elmes' camera communicates with a visual eloquence. Close-ups of Ashima's face reveal her sense of profound loss as loved ones slip away. When Gogol's wealthy blonde girlfriend (Jacinda Barrett) appears at the family's suburban home for a religious ceremony, her black dress signals a cultural divide, setting her apart from the Bengali mourners garbed in traditional white.

Capturing the nuances of such a complex, textured novel is impossible. Nair conveys its spirit, creating a moving saga that speaks to anyone caught between cultures."

I think, rather I imagine, this film does an excellent job of teaching us something about the Indian Hindu culture. At the same time, it is a movie that all immigrants can relate to.

If "The Namesake" had just been your usual coming-of-age story, it would be easily forgotten. But director Mira Nair ("Monsoon Wedding," "Vanity Fair") has gone beyond the usual confines of such a story to present a portrait of three people, a husband and wife, and their son, who come to moments when they lose sight of who they are, only to find through difficult times that sense of identity again. The story begins in 1971 Kolkata, a time when foreign products dazzled us and visits by expatriate relatives were pretty much the event of the year. A young Bengali settled in the US, Ashoke Ganguli (Irrfan) marries a local girl Ashima (Tabu) and they migrate to the US. Some years down the line, Ashima gives birth to a son (Kal Penn). The basic premise of the film is this: How will this child survive in American society with a name as odd sounding and tongue twisting as Gogol Ganguli? Nikolai Gogol is Ashoke's favorite author. A brilliant and eccentric man, who penned literary masterpieces like The Overcoat, he eventually starved to death.

His modern-day namesake Gogol Ganguli experiences all the usual clichés associated with people with unusual names -- his American classmates poke fun at him during lessons on Russian Literature and women raise a quizzical eyebrow at the part when he reveals his name. He grows up, very annoyed. But also, sadly, with a misconception about the origin of his name. Little does he realize that it has a more profound explanation, than he could ever imagine.

Though the premise sounds flimsy, the film breathes life into the book's characters by leaps and bounds, expanding the central idea to encompass a whole lot more. It dissects the complex lot of the American Born Confused Desi and more importantly, their attitude towards India. But sans the caricatures and the clichés. It traces a troubled son's pilgrimage back to his family and the realizations that don on prodigal children only in the face of immense tragedy. In fact, the film is a tribute to one's parents, but tackles the subject sans the emotional drama of say, a Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham. The accents, the sets, the costumes and the dialogues boast of an authenticity, which is often missing in Indian films set in a foreign country. And the cinematography boasts a host of frames rich in texture, especially in the scenes set in Kolkata.

Irrfan Khan brilliantly, effortlessly steps into the shoes (which read 'Made In USA') of the very Bengali, practical, cool-headed Ashoke, accent and all (though it slips in one or two places). The chemistry between Khan and Tabu is intense! Kal Penn has a meaty role and finally, an opportunity to act. And he does a smooth job of it. The rest of the cast measure up perfectly, like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. Though the film begins on a somber pace (and slips back off and forth), it gains momentum post Gogol's birth. Nair makes the search for one's identity both enlightening and entertaining- a journey, both internal and external, you won't regret taking.

Based on the novel of the same name by best selling Indian author Jhumpa Lahiri, 'The Namesake' is a touching film about family, traditions-old and new, change, and the joys and pains of life. Ashoke Ganguli is a friendly, although shy college student in Calcutta, India. During the summer of 1977, while on an annual trip by train to visit his grandfather, he becomes totally engrossed in reading Nicholai Gogol's classic novel, 'The Overcoat.' A kindly older gentleman on board the train with him asks if he's ever been abroad. Ashoke tells the man that he has not, to which the man replies, "pack a pillow and a blanket and see the world-you'll never regret it!" Ashoke laughingly tells him, "that is what books are for-to take a journey without moving an inch." They share a few more pleasantries before Ashoke returns to his book. Unfortunately the train later crashes, leaving many dead and Ashoke severely injured. During his long, painful recovery he decides to take the old man's advice and once he is well, transfers to a university in the US. He never forgot the man nor the book he was reading when he almost died. While in grad school, his parents arrange his marriage to Ashima, the daughter of a family friend back home in India. Ashima is a strikingly beautiful music student and Ashoke becomes smitten with her upon first sight. Although she is very shy and has only met him once, Ashima agrees to become his wife and shortly after their wedding, moves back with him to the United States. Initially, the move is an overwhelming transition for Ashima; Ashoke however, is very kind and patient with her, and as time passes they grow to love each other very much. Their first child is born soon after and Ashoke lovingly nicknames the baby boy "Gogol" after his favorite writer. Traditional naming practices among Bengali's' states that the maternal grandmother should name the child, however she passes away before one is formally decided upon. Ashima chose 'Nikhail', but later a teacher informs her that her son likes to be called Gogol in school, so it becomes his "good" name as well as his nickname at home. Ashoke and Ashima have a baby girl (Sonia) soon after. Years pass and things go well for the Ganguli's; Ashoke's career takes off and Ashima becomes a librarian. They buy a big house in the suburbs, spend lots of time with other Bengali families, and often travel back to India to visit relatives. Gogol and Sonia, however have truly 'Americanized' lives. They love and appreciate the sacrifices their parents made for them, however don't understand the 'big deal' behind the importance of traditional culture and family. Upon graduation from high school, Gogol admits that he wants to change his name in favor of a more 'American' one, and decides to formally change it back to Nikhail; which somewhat disappoints his father. While in college, he becomes engrossed in his new life and has little time for his parents; much to the dismay of Ashima. He starts dating "Maxine," a wealthy, white, American girl who is oblivious to the culture differences between his family and her own, and upon Ashoke's untimely death, they break up when Gogol finally reconnects with his family and moves back home. He later falls in love with Mushuumi, the intriguing and seductive daughter of a family friend, whom he was acquainted with in the past. Many ups and downs ensue in this touching story, and I suggest you check it out! It made me laugh, cry, smile and reflect!

This movie is very realistic in that the relationship between parents and children seems to repeat itself through out history. Children love, trust, then rebel, and then return to respect and interest in the parents lives. There's alot of touching scenes and I think one is when, in the car, the father tells Gogal how he came up with his name. I'm no expert on India but I think this movie depicts it's life style and ways very well. This movie may be a little long or slow to some people but I liked it the first time I saw it and even more the second. It's fun to get a look into other cultures and whats important to other people. Great movie!

I saw the movie on television, was very moved, and wanted a copy for myself. It is a rich and heartfelt story which chronicles the lives of new immigrants to the United States, their adjustment to a new life and culture in America, and the Americanization of their children who often feel torn between the two cultures. While this story follows the lives of emmigrants from India, it is a universal story for immigrants of all nationalities who come to the United States and face challenging adjustments, compromises, and conflicts.