The Namesake

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donnie m i LOVED this movie-so many messages about what love is and what it isn't Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/08/23 Full Review Ken R Director/producer Mira Nair (Vanity Fair'04) brings yet another deeply personal story to the screen - based on the book by Pulitzer Prize-winning writer Jhumpa Lahiri, with a screen adaption by prize winner Sooni Taraporevala. Director Nair invests a great deal of effort into analyzing the generation gap in an Indian-American family, as they navigate their differences in moral and ethical issues, alongside their traditional family ties from the mother country. Irrfran Kahn (Life of Pi) gives us another superb performance as the father, while gifted Indian actress Tabu equals him as his dedicated wife. Together they try earnestly to connect with their adolescent son (Kal Penn) who's drifting towards a ‘modern' shallow existence - failing to connect with those who have dedicated their lives to supplying a loving family base. Cinematography and Music play an important part in guiding the audience's attention through the multi-layered issues that live within this quality, mature work. Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 06/26/23 Full Review lanfranco c Is it possible to overcome the culture clash? Rated 3.5/5 Stars •  Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review Audience Member I read the book first, and recommend that, as there is much more content in the book that there isn't time for in the movie. But the movie added a wonderful taste of the flavor of the Bengali lives, and the actors playing the mother and father were superb and made those characters really come alive. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/17/23 Full Review nilufer e It was a pretty good generational drama. I enjoyed most of it, Irrfan Khan can make any movie watchable. I didn't like the pretentious son and his acting though. Rated 3.5/5 Stars •  Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member There are few films that accurately capture the struggles of being a first-generation immigrant in the US. Disclaimer: I have not read the book before watching this film so my review may be biased. The Namesake is a beautiful film that weaves together the life of father & son and their journey through life. It contrasts the traditional Indian life vs idealistic American values. It's a movie about father-and-son love, family, and one's own identity in the world. This is a film that gets its viewers invested in every character. From the start, the legendary Irrfan Khan plays one of the most memorable roles I've seen as Ashoke Ganguli. We get a sense of adventure that awaits him before he moves to America. As the movie goes on, we also get to see Ashoke becoming the well-meaning loving father who only wants the best for his family. Kal Penn plays the rebellious Gogol/Nikhil/Nick who feels frustrated with why he is "different." Audiences understand his sense of rebellion and seeking his own place in the world. And Tabu plays a stellar performance as Ashima. We get a sense of understanding as she gives up her old life for a new one in a foreign country. The Namesake is an emotional and beautiful film that blends cultures. Mira Nair did wonders with the plot and bringing the stories and characters to life. Small subtleties from the first-generation experience are captured that few people understand. It's a beautiful film that deserves praise. 4.5/5. Congrats to Mira Nair & Jhumpa Lahiri for bringing to life such a wonderful story. Rated 4.5/5 Stars •  Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 02/07/23 Full Review Read all reviews

The Namesake

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