Movie Review: The Namesake

The Namesake is a film based on the novel of the same name from Jhumpa Lahiri. It is a lyrical story of assimilation, culture clash, and a journey of self discovery. It tells its story through a shifting viewpoint and three main characters covering a span of 25 years. It is a fascinating tale that is sweet and heartfelt, punctuated with moments of anger and sadness. Beyond that, it features the first dramatic lead for Kal Penn, who is impressive as the central character of Gogol.

Beginning in the 1970s, we are first introduced to Ashoke Ganguli (Irfan Khan), he is on his way to visit his grandfather. While on the train, he is befriended by a man who urges him to see the world while he can, to experience other ways of life. No sooner have they finished their discussion, the train crashes, leaving Ashoke its sole survivor. Jump ahead a few years and we meet Ashoke again, returning to Calcutta for an arranged marriage to Ashima (Tabu). He had been living in New York for a few years, now he was home to marry and then take his young bride with him back to New York and his small apartment.

The story puts a focus on the difficulties faced by immigrants as they try to assimilate into a new culture. Ashoke had already made the adjustment, having lived there for a few years already, but the adjustment is a little harder for Ashima who has gone from the forward youth in Calcutta to a lonely housewife in a strange land. She begins to carve out an identity for herself as her marriage grows, and then when children arrive and they move to the suburbs.

Enter Gogol, a name that was never meant to be, but which holds great significance for Ashoke, and becomes a telling point for the boy when he grows and for reasons tied to the name of the film. Since in the US a child cannot leave the hospital without a name, so they give him the Gogol name, after the Russian author.

Fast forward a few more years and the story changes its focus to the now grown Gogol. He has become a rebellious teen who holds resentment towards his parents for his name and has distanced himself as much as he can from his Indian heritage, rather wanting to be an American than an Indian-American. His story takes him on a journey away from India and intop America, but tragedy brings him back to his roots as he discovers who he really is and the significance of his name.

Director Mira Nair (Mississippi Masala) brings the story to vibrant life as we follow this family go through their lives, trying to reconcile where they came from with where they are. My one complaint is that the pacing seemed a bit awkward at times as they moved through the time shifts. It reallky felt like watching a book as the chapters changed, so did the times. Aside from that, the story is wonderful, it came across as very natural and believable. I really felt like I was spending time with real people as they found their way through.

The acting was fantastic. In particular, it was nice to see Kal Penn realize some of the talent that has lain dormant in most of his other roles. Sure, he has shown himself to possess good screen presence and comic timing, but this was the first time I have seen him actually act, and I hope it is not the last. Then there is Tabu, a prolific Bollywood actress, who gives a beautifully subtle performance filled with emotion and meaning, very impressive.

Bottomline. Pacing issues aside, this is a great story of self discovery and the trials that an immigrant family goes through trying to fit into a new culture. Beautifully shot, well acted, and just a very good film.

Recommended.