by Aradhika

Starring : Tabu, Irrfan Khan, Kal Penn, Jacinda Barrett, Zuleikha Robinson
Screenplay by Sooni Taraporevala, based on the novel by Jhumpa Lahiri
Directed by Mira Nair
Rating: ****

In a nutshell, the story is about Ashima and Ashoke Ganguli who immigrate to Boston from Calcutta in 1968. They give birth to their first child, a son, who Ashoke names Gogol, after Nikolai Gogol, the Russian author.

However, this is only in anticipation of his "good name" which must arrive from India, but never does. Gogol hates his name, he and his sister grow up as American as can be, while his parents cling to their Bengali past.

However, they live what appears to be a typical American suburban lifestyle. Jhumpa Lahiri's wonderful 2003 novel by the same name (Jhumpa is the winner of the Pulitzer Prize for ‘Interpreter of Maladies') has been given visual and aural dimensions by the consummate filmmaker, Mira Nair.

The film deals with immigrant lives and familial and cultural bonds that can never be broken, no matter how American the way of life.

Mira takes the film at a slow, comfortable pace which gives the viewer the chance to observe the intimate family portrait from which emanates the picture of the larger society.

‘The Namesake' is a delightful movie that brims over with compassion, sensitivity and intelligence. The sensuality that the film captures in terms of textures, sounds and sights of life is captivating, weather it is of the suburban America or the streets or railway station of Calcutta.

In fact there are several vignettes that are so evocative that they stay with the viewer like a montage much after the film is over.

The scene where Tabu, clad in a Bengali sari, covered with her husband's overcoat ventures out to the laundromat, hauling a load of wash along with her is representative of thousands of Bengali ladies who will wear sneakers with their saris in the freezing cold, but not consider changing their basic garb.

Also, when Tabu adds some masala and peanuts to the rice crisps to give it the Indian taste of jhaal muri creates a moment that is touching in its poignancy.

In fact, the film, though based in America, does a stint at Calcutta also, to remind the viewer of the difference in the cultures, a difference that Gogol, the sulky son, is extremely uncomfortable with.

A huge part of the appeal of the film springs from the three main characters at the centre of the film: Gogol Ganguli, whose life the viewer follows from birth, through childhood to gawky adolescence and gruff young manhood, played by Kal Penn and Gogol's parents Ashok (Irrfan Khan) and Ashima (Tabu).

Gogol, in his hip American clothes and a sullen pout that gets displayed around his home is terribly impatient with his parents and the Bengali community and their rituals and traditions, and chooses an American girlfriend, Maxine (Jacinda Barrett).

Gogol sulks and misbehaves, until finally, he sees his place and that of his parents' in the world that he lives in. So well does Penn capture the callowness of youth that you actually feel irritated at the character.

Ashoke has a core of sweet self sacrifice and Irrfan Khan's presence, in his avatar as an intellectual Bengali professor lingers far beyond his actual attendance in the film. His gentleness and simplicity is really touches the heart.

The performance of Tabu is one that even she will find hard to top. Tabu constantly surprises with her landmark performances.

Hers is the film's most extraordinary performance as with supreme subtlety, Ashima ages from the young bride to homemaker, mother, always surrounded by her family to the woman who finally takes a decision to break free, once her responsibilities are over and go back to her roots and her passion, singing.

All the other performances in the film are also commendable and completely convincing...Barrett as Maxine and Zuleikha Robinson as Gogol's incredibly sexy wife, Moushumi.

The Namesake remains true in letter and spirit to the book. Nair has done a tremendous job in weaving together the two cultures and capturing the humans that stand at the intersection. If you are looking for BIG moments in the film, there are none.

But there are lots of beautiful little moments capturing the struggle of tradition verses individuality and of finding your own identity and the minutiae of family relationships.

The characters are likeable and complete and it's great to spend a couple of hours in their company!