Spring Break
Film Shows Identity Struggle For Children Of Recent Immigrants
DVD Review
Emily Abbate
Issue date: 12/5/07 Section: Focus
Inspiration comes at the oddest of times within "The Namesake," a cross-cultural drama adapted from Jhumpa Lahiri's novel of the same name, directed by Mira Nair. When Bengali-speaking Ashoke Ganguli went to visit his grandfather by train in Jamshedpur, Calcutta, India, he never expected to meet a fellow traveler, Ghosh, who would inspire him to travel and forever alter his future. In an unexpected derailment, Gogol clutches onto a novel by Nicholai Gogol and after recuperating, knows what he must do.
Ashoke then relocates to the United States because of his newfound passion for travel, only to return back home to go through with an arranged marriage to Ashima, a beautiful girl who aspires to be a singer. The couple return to the United States and go through a series of adjustments, both to the American culture and each other.
After the birth of their first son, Gogol - played by Kal Penn - named after Ashoke's favorite author, and their daughter Sonia, staying true to their culture proves to be more difficult than the couple had expected. The old-fashioned parents preferred their children to be observant of traditional Indian customs and culture, but growing up in the United States provided little, if any, serious connections back to India for the two children.
The movie primarily focuses on Gogol's struggle with his identity and efforts to find his place in America. After attending Yale Law School, he starts dating a white girl name Maxine, played by Jacinda Barrett, whom his parents have a difficult time accepting, especially when all they want him to do is embrace his heritage.Gogol begins to see the links between the world his parents left behind and the new world that lies in front of him with his next girlfriend, an Indian girl he had known from his youth who has grown into a sexually mature and beautiful woman. After a trip back to his cultural roots, Gogol starts to realize what's important to him and the importance that he finds is culture, and how he wants to live his life in the future. Gogol's journey is undeniably touching, however the DVD as a whole lacks certain characteristics that could possibly help the overall quality for the better. The film is clearly done on a low budget, depicted by the lackluster colors and average presentation.
Additionally, the DVD has several special features, though none are must-haves. The "Deleted Scenes" don't display much content, none of which is long enough to have made a substantial difference to the film as a whole. "The Anatomy of 'The Namesake': A Class at Columbia University's Graduate Film School" shows some basic movie-making techniques, but also provides a pretty in-depth view into what went into the film.
Other special features include "Fox Movie Channel Presents: In Character with Kal Penn," "Kolkata Love Poem," - where different clips of India are mixed with music - and "Photography as Inspiration."
Overall, "The Namesake" is definitely worth renting if you have a couple hours to spare and an open mind. The movie may not send you ranting to your friends, but it undoubtedly has the potential.
Contact Emily Abbate at
Emily.Abbate@UConn.edu.
Ashoke then relocates to the United States because of his newfound passion for travel, only to return back home to go through with an arranged marriage to Ashima, a beautiful girl who aspires to be a singer. The couple return to the United States and go through a series of adjustments, both to the American culture and each other.
After the birth of their first son, Gogol - played by Kal Penn - named after Ashoke's favorite author, and their daughter Sonia, staying true to their culture proves to be more difficult than the couple had expected. The old-fashioned parents preferred their children to be observant of traditional Indian customs and culture, but growing up in the United States provided little, if any, serious connections back to India for the two children.
The movie primarily focuses on Gogol's struggle with his identity and efforts to find his place in America. After attending Yale Law School, he starts dating a white girl name Maxine, played by Jacinda Barrett, whom his parents have a difficult time accepting, especially when all they want him to do is embrace his heritage.Gogol begins to see the links between the world his parents left behind and the new world that lies in front of him with his next girlfriend, an Indian girl he had known from his youth who has grown into a sexually mature and beautiful woman. After a trip back to his cultural roots, Gogol starts to realize what's important to him and the importance that he finds is culture, and how he wants to live his life in the future. Gogol's journey is undeniably touching, however the DVD as a whole lacks certain characteristics that could possibly help the overall quality for the better. The film is clearly done on a low budget, depicted by the lackluster colors and average presentation.
Additionally, the DVD has several special features, though none are must-haves. The "Deleted Scenes" don't display much content, none of which is long enough to have made a substantial difference to the film as a whole. "The Anatomy of 'The Namesake': A Class at Columbia University's Graduate Film School" shows some basic movie-making techniques, but also provides a pretty in-depth view into what went into the film.
Other special features include "Fox Movie Channel Presents: In Character with Kal Penn," "Kolkata Love Poem," - where different clips of India are mixed with music - and "Photography as Inspiration."
Overall, "The Namesake" is definitely worth renting if you have a couple hours to spare and an open mind. The movie may not send you ranting to your friends, but it undoubtedly has the potential.
Contact Emily Abbate at
Emily.Abbate@UConn.edu.
Be the first to comment on this story