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The Namesake
Directed by: Mira Nair
Starring: Kal Penn
Genre:
Drama
Run Time: 122
min.
Release Date: March
2007
On The Web:
Official
Site
Teaser:
Movie Trailer
Reviewed by
Byron Merritt |
Films with universal themes
run great risks. Mostly this risk entails descending into that pit known
as cliche. Many films have done it and fallen victim, but THE
NAMESAKE uses its universal theme to great advantage, never
disguising what it is and how important it can be.
The theme is family and how vital they are to our core existence. They
shape every part of us, from childhood on, for better or worse. They
create a sense of belonging, even when we’re apart, even when separated
by oceans. They give us our early identity, and even our names.
Most of us don’t think about how tough it is to name a human being and
how we lug that title around with us for the rest of our lives. But in
The Namesake, director Mira Nair ( of MONSOON WEDDING fame) gives
us Gogol Ganguli, a name of substance and importance, but not
necessarily important to its owner.
The Namesake is a tri-generational story of a Bangladeshi family.
The film starts with the beautiful Indian singing of Ashima (Tabu). Her
initial goal in life is to become a great artist/singer. But family
concerns override her plans as she returns home to find a marriage
arrangement being put forth for her. Her parents introduce her to her
future husband, Ashoke (Irfan Khan), an architect who’s been studying
and living in America. The marriage takes place and Ashima accompanies
her new husband to New York (“Half a world away”). She immediately
begins missing her family but her forlorn attitude is whisked aside as
Ashoke teaches her the ways of the City. She becomes pregnant with her
first child, Gogol. The naming is tricky because normally it is done by
an elder from within the family (all of whom are still in India). So
Ashoke names him after one of his favorite authors (Nicholas “Gogol”, a
famous Russian writer). Gogol bares the name with disdain, never fully
realizing its importance (one of Nicholas Gogol’s books actually saved
Gogol’s father’s life after a fatal train accident in India many years
before). Gogol eventually changes his name to Nick, thus ending his
family’s tradition of keeping an appropriate Indian name.
It is this Americanization that is most troubling throughout the film.
It invades the very fabric of what Gogol’s family represents. Although
not entirely without merit (America does give him a good education and a
nice job), the culture of his parents seems stilted and uncool. As Gogol
(and eventually his sister) grow into adulthood, they search for love in
America, and find it via Americans. This is also another blow to Ashima
and Ashoke (Gogol’s mother and father). Americans live in the fast lane
and often have to choose between one spouse’s family over the other.
This comes into sharp contrast as Gogol begins dating a beautiful blonde
American named Maxine (Jacinda Barrett, POSEIDON). Maxine’s pull
is strong and forces Gogol to drift farther away from his roots. His
parents call and call but never hear back. It takes a devastating family
event to get Gogol back on track and it is this that gives the film its
emotional heft. Tear-jerking and non-forced, this event was played
perfectly and surprised everyone in the audience (all the movie patrons
gasped around me when it occurred, a true tribute to this film’s
masterful weaving of the family theme).
The movie’s arc is also well done. It ends just as it begins, with the
focus on understanding family and what it means to move on when the time
comes, but to never forget where you’ve come from.
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Image from The Namesake
DVD cost: $22.99
Purchase:
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Film Review Stew
Favorite?
Yes.
Stew Poo-Poo? No.
Newsworthy: Mira Nair
initially wanted Rani Mukheriee to play the role of Ashima after she had
seen her in Mani Rutnam's Yuva. Rani Mukheriee couldn't sign the film
due to date problems. After that, Mira Nair wanted Konkona Sen Sharma to
play the role. She couldn't commit due to her mother Aparna Sen's film
15 Park Avenue. After which the director signed Tabu for the role.
Movie Quote: "I've
been thinking ...I'd like to change my name."
Other Actors/Actresses
from The Namesake
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