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| cinematography = [[Frederick Elmes]]
| cinematography = [[Frederick Elmes]]
| editing = Allyson C. Johnson
| editing = Allyson C. Johnson
| studio = [[Mirabai Films]]<br />[[UTV Motion Pictures]]<br />Entertainment Farm
| studio = [[UTV Motion Pictures]]<br />[[Mirabai Films]]<br />Entertainment Farm
| distributor = [[Fox Searchlight Pictures]]
| distributor = [[Fox Searchlight Pictures]]
| released = {{film date|df=yes|2006|9|2|[[Telluride Film Festival|Telluride]]|2007|3|9|United States|2007|3|23|India}}
| released = {{film date|df=yes|2006|9|2|[[Telluride Film Festival|Telluride]]|2007|3|9|United States|2007|3|23|India}}
| runtime = 121 minutes<ref name=reliable>{{Cite web |url=https://www.bbfc.co.uk/release/the-namesake-q29sbgvjdglvbjpwwc00mtywmje |title=The Namesake (12A) – BBFC |access-date=7 May 2017 |publisher=[[BBFC]] |archive-date=10 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221010222148/https://www.bbfc.co.uk/release/the-namesake-q29sbgvjdglvbjpwwc00mtywmje |url-status=live }}</ref>
| runtime = 121 minutes<ref name=reliable>{{Cite web |url=https://www.bbfc.co.uk/release/the-namesake-q29sbgvjdglvbjpwwc00mtywmje |title=The Namesake (12) |access-date=7 May 2017 |website=[[BBFC]] |archive-date=10 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221010222148/https://www.bbfc.co.uk/release/the-namesake-q29sbgvjdglvbjpwwc00mtywmje |url-status=live }}</ref>
| country = United States<br />India<br />Japan
| country = United States<br />India<br />Japan
| language = English<br>Bengali
| language = English<br>Bengali
| budget = $9.5 million<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt0433416/?ref_=bo_se_r_1|title=The Namesake|access-date=10 March 2021|archive-date=25 June 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230625093610/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt0433416/?ref_=bo_se_r_1|url-status=live}}</ref>
| budget = $9.5 million<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt0433416/?ref_=bo_se_r_1|title=The Namesake|website=[[Box Office Mojo]]|access-date=10 March 2021|archive-date=25 June 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230625093610/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt0433416/?ref_=bo_se_r_1|url-status=live}}</ref>
| gross = {{US$|20.14 million|long=no}}<ref>{{mojo title|namesake}}</ref> <!-- Must be attributed to a reliable published source -->
| gross = {{US$|20.14 million|long=no}}<ref>{{mojo title|namesake}}</ref> <!-- Must be attributed to a reliable published source -->
}}
}}


'''''The Namesake''''' is a 2006 [[English-language]] [[Drama (film and television)|drama film]] directed by [[Mira Nair]] and written by [[Sooni Taraporevala]] based on the novel ''[[The Namesake (novel)|The Namesake]]'' by [[Jhumpa Lahiri]]. It stars [[Kal Penn]], [[Tabu (actress)|Tabu]], [[Irrfan Khan]] and Sahira Nair. The film was produced by [[Cinema of India|Indian]], [[Cinema of the United States|American]] and [[Cinema of Japan|Japanese studios]].<ref>{{cite web |title=The Namesake (2006) |url=https://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b8b35eb14 |website=[[BFI]] |publisher=[[British Film Institute]] |access-date=3 April 2019 |language=en |archive-date=4 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181204200145/http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b8b35eb14 |url-status=live }}</ref> The film was released in the United States on 9 March 2007, following screenings at [[film festivals]] in [[Toronto]] and [[New York City]]. ''The Namesake'' received positive reviews from American critics.<ref name=rotten/>
'''''The Namesake''''' is a 2006 [[English-language]] [[Drama (film and television)|drama film]] directed by [[Mira Nair]] and written by [[Sooni Taraporevala]] based on the novel ''[[The Namesake (novel)|The Namesake]]'' by [[Jhumpa Lahiri]]. It stars [[Kal Penn]], [[Tabu (actress)|Tabu]], [[Irrfan Khan]] and Sahira Nair. The film was produced by [[Cinema of India|Indian]], [[Cinema of the United States|American]] and [[Cinema of Japan|Japanese studios]].<ref>{{cite web |title=The Namesake (2006) |url=https://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b8b35eb14 |website=[[BFI]] |publisher=[[British Film Institute]] |access-date=3 April 2019 |language=en |archive-date=4 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181204200145/http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b8b35eb14 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The film was released in the United States on 9 March 2007, following screenings at [[film festivals]] in [[Toronto]] and [[New York City]]. ''The Namesake'' received positive reviews from American critics.<ref name=rotten/>


==Plot==
==Plot==
''The Namesake'' depicts the struggles of Ashoke and Ashima Ganguli, first-generation immigrants from the state of [[West Bengal]] to the United States, and their American-born children Gogol and Sonia. The film takes place primarily in [[Kolkata]], [[New York City]], and suburbs of New York City.
''The Namesake'' depicts the struggles of Ashoke and Ashima Ganguli, first-generation immigrants from the state of [[West Bengal]] to the United States, and their American-born children Gogol and Sonia. The film takes place primarily in [[Kolkata]], [[New York City]], and suburbs of New York City.


The story begins as Ashoke and Ashima leave Calcutta and settle in New York City. Through a series of miscues, their son's nickname, Gogol (named after Russian author [[Nikolai Gogol]]), becomes his official birth name, an event which will shape many aspects of his life. The story chronicles Gogol's cross-cultural experiences <ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-02-15|title=The Namesake (2006) : When Cultures Clash|url=https://movierdo.com/the-namesake-2006-when-cultures-clash/|access-date=2020-07-12|website=Movierdo|language=en-US|archive-date=25 June 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230625095501/https://movierdo.com/the-namesake-2006-when-cultures-clash/|url-status=live}}</ref> and his exploration of his Indian heritage, as the story shifts between the United States and India.
The story begins as Ashoke and Ashima leave Calcutta and settle in New York City. Through a series of miscues, their son's nickname, Gogol (named after Russian author [[Nikolai Gogol]]), becomes his official birth name, an event which will shape many aspects of his life. The story chronicles Gogol's cross-cultural experiences<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-02-15|title=The Namesake (2006) : When Cultures Clash|url=https://movierdo.com/the-namesake-2006-when-cultures-clash/|access-date=2020-07-12|website=Movierdo|language=en-US|archive-date=25 June 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230625095501/https://movierdo.com/the-namesake-2006-when-cultures-clash/|url-status=live}}</ref> and his exploration of his Bengali heritage, as the story primarily shifts between the United States and [[Kolkata]].


Gogol becomes a lazy, pot-smoking teenager indifferent to his cultural background. He resents many of the customs and traditions his family upholds and doesn't understand his parents. After a summer trip to India before starting college at Yale, Gogol starts opening up to his culture and becomes more accepting of it.
Gogol becomes a lazy, pot-smoking teenager who is indifferent to his cultural background. He resents many of the customs and traditions his family upholds and doesn't understand his parents. After an eight month long trip to India before starting college at Yale, Gogol starts opening up to his culture and becomes more accepting of it.


After college, Gogol uses his "good name" Nikhil (later shortened to Nick). He works as an architect and dates Maxine ([[Jacinda Barrett]]), a white American woman from a wealthy background, who is clueless about their cultural differences. Gogol falls in love with Maxine and introduces her to his parents, who struggle to understand his modern, American perspectives on dating, marriage and love. They are hesitant and guarded when meeting her. Gogol gets along with Maxine's family and feels closer to them than he does his own family.
Shortly after his eighteenth birthday, much to his parents' annoyance, Gogol legally changes his name to "Nikhil", (the name he had supposedly refused to be addressed by when he was in kindergarten). In college, Gogol uses his "good name" Nikhil (later shortened to Nick). He works as an architect and dates Maxine, a white American woman from a wealthy background, who is clueless about their cultural differences. Gogol introduces her to his parents, who struggle to understand his modern, American perspectives on dating, marriage and love. They are hesitant and guarded when meeting her. Gogol gets along with Maxine's family and feels closer to them than he does his own family.


Before he goes to Ohio for a teaching apprenticeship, Ashoke tells Gogol the story of how he came up with his name. Shortly after, while Gogol is on vacation with Maxine's family, Ashoke dies. Grieving, Gogol tries to be more like what he thinks his parents want him to be and begins following cultural customs more closely. He grows distant from Maxine and eventually breaks up with her.
Before he goes to Ohio for a teaching apprenticeship, Ashoke tells Gogol the story of a nearly fatal train accident that he had suffered years ago back in [[India]] and how he came up with his name. Shortly after, while Gogol is on vacation with Maxine's family, Ashoke dies. Grieving, Gogol tries to be more like what he thinks his parents want him to be and begins following cultural customs more closely. He grows distant from Maxine and eventually breaks up with her.


Gogol rekindles a friendship with Moushumi ([[Zuleikha Robinson]]), the daughter of family friends. They begin dating and soon after get married. However, the marriage is short-lived as Moushumi, bored with being a wife, starts having an affair with an old boyfriend from Paris. Gogol divorces her, while Ashima blames herself for pressuring Gogol to marry a fellow Bengali. Gogol returns home to help Ashima pack the house when he finds the book Ashoke gave him as a graduation present. Searching for comfort, and accepting his new life alone, Gogol finally reads the stories written by his namesake on the train home.
Gogol rekindles a friendship with Moushumi, the daughter of family friends. They begin dating and soon after get married. However, the marriage is short-lived as Moushumi, bored with being a wife, starts having an affair with an old boyfriend from Paris. Gogol divorces her, while Ashima blames herself for pressuring Gogol to marry a fellow Bengali. Gogol returns home to help Ashima pack the house when he finds the book (a collection of short stories by [[Nikolai Gogol]]) which Ashoke had gifted him on his fourteenth birthday. Searching for comfort, and accepting his new life alone, Gogol finally reads the stories written by his namesake on the train home.


As well as depicting Gogol/Nikhil's experiences, the film describes the courtship and marriage of Ashima and Ashoke, and the effect on the family from Ashoke's early death from a massive heart attack. Through experiencing his father's funeral rites on the banks of the [[Ganges]], Gogol begins to appreciate Indian culture. Ashima's decision to move on with her life, selling the suburban family home and returning to Calcutta for part of each year, unifies and ends the story.
As well as depicting Gogol/Nikhil's experiences, the film describes the courtship and marriage of Ashima and Ashoke, and the effect on the family from Ashoke's early death from a massive heart attack. Through experiencing his father's funeral rites on the banks of the [[Ganges]], Gogol begins to appreciate Indian culture. Ashima's decision to move on with her life, selling the suburban family home and returning to Calcutta for part of each year, unifies and ends the story.
Line 43: Line 43:
==Cast==
==Cast==
*[[Kal Penn]] as Nikhil "Gogol" Ganguli
*[[Kal Penn]] as Nikhil "Gogol" Ganguli
**Soham Chatterjee as child Gogol aged 4 years
**Soham Chatterjee as child Gogol aged four years
*[[Tabu (actress)|Tabu]] as Ashima Ganguli
*[[Tabu (actress)|Tabu]] as Ashima Ganguli
*[[Irrfan Khan]] as Ashoke Ganguli
*[[Irrfan Khan]] as Ashoke Ganguli
Line 64: Line 64:


==Development==
==Development==
Initially [[Rani Mukerji]] was considered for the principal lead, but due to scheduling conflicts with [[Karan Johar]]'s ''[[Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna]]'', the role then went to Tabu. Kal Penn was recommended for the movie by [[John Cho]] and strongly requested by Nair's son, who was a fan of Penn in [[Harold and Kumar]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://niralimagazine.com/2007/03/21-things-you-didnt-know-about-the-namesake/|title=Nirali Magazine - 21 Things You Didn't Know About The Namesake|first=Arun Kale, code fixes and updates by Stef|last=Pause|website=niralimagazine.com|access-date=3 October 2016|archive-date=7 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171007021244/https://niralimagazine.com/2007/03/21-things-you-didnt-know-about-the-namesake/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Why Rani, Abhishek lost out on Namesake |url=http://inhome.rediff.com/movies/2007/mar/23mira.htm |publisher=[[Rediff.com]] Movies |date=23 March 2007 |access-date=12 March 2011 |archive-date=15 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110715165616/http://inhome.rediff.com/movies/2007/mar/23mira.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>
Initially [[Rani Mukerji]] was considered for the principal lead, but due to scheduling conflicts with [[Karan Johar]]'s ''[[Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna]]'', the role then went to Tabu. Kal Penn was recommended for the movie by [[John Cho]] and strongly requested by Nair's son, who was a fan of Penn in [[Harold and Kumar]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://niralimagazine.com/2007/03/21-things-you-didnt-know-about-the-namesake/|title=Nirali Magazine - 21 Things You Didn't Know About The Namesake|first=Arun Kale, code fixes and updates by Stef|last=Pause|website=niralimagazine.com|access-date=3 October 2016|archive-date=7 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171007021244/https://niralimagazine.com/2007/03/21-things-you-didnt-know-about-the-namesake/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Why Rani, Abhishek lost out on Namesake |url=http://inhome.rediff.com/movies/2007/mar/23mira.htm |website=[[Rediff.com]] |date=23 March 2007 |access-date=12 March 2011 |archive-date=15 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110715165616/http://inhome.rediff.com/movies/2007/mar/23mira.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>


==Soundtrack==
==Soundtrack==
The soundtrack has varied music: Indian, Anglo-Indian (by [[Nitin Sawhney]], influenced by [[Ravi Shankar]]'s music for [[Pather Panchali (film)|Pather Panchali]]),<ref>''Observer Music Monthly'' March 2007</ref> and a French piece. One [[British Indian]] [[electronica]] piece is [[State of Bengal]]'s "IC408." The ringtone from Moushumi's mobile phone is the song "Riviera Rendezvous" by Ursula 1000 from the album ''Kinda' Kinky''; this is the same song that is played when Gogol and Moushumi first sleep together. The Indian classical pieces (performed on screen by Tabu) were sung by [[Mitali Banerjee Bhawmik]], a [[New Jersey]]-based musician.
The soundtrack has varied music: Indian, Anglo-Indian (by [[Nitin Sawhney]], influenced by [[Ravi Shankar]]'s music for [[Pather Panchali (film)|Pather Panchali]]),<ref>Observer Music Monthly, March 2007</ref> and a French piece. One [[British Indian]] [[electronica]] piece is [[State of Bengal]]'s "IC408." The ringtone from Moushumi's mobile phone is the song "Riviera Rendezvous" by Ursula 1000 from the album ''Kinda' Kinky''; this is the same song that is played when Gogol and Moushumi first sleep together. The Indian classical pieces (performed on screen by Tabu) were sung by [[Mitali Banerjee Bhawmik]], a [[New Jersey]]–based musician.


==Critical reception==
==Critical reception==
The film received favorable reviews from critics. As of 23 February 2009, the review aggregator [[Rotten Tomatoes]] reported that 86% of critics gave the film positive reviews, based on 126 reviews.<ref name=rotten>{{cite web |url=http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/namesake/ |title=The Namesake - Rotten Tomatoes |access-date=23 February 2009 |website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]] |archive-date=4 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150804092828/http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/namesake/ |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Metacritic]] reported the film had an average score of 82 out of 100, based on 33 reviews, indicating "universal acclaim".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.metacritic.com/film/titles/namesake |title=Namesake, The (2007): Reviews |access-date=5 January 2008 |website=[[Metacritic]] |archive-date=17 January 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080117230616/http://www.metacritic.com/film/titles/namesake |url-status=live }}</ref>
The film received favorable reviews from critics. Review aggregator [[Rotten Tomatoes]] reports that 85% of critics gave the film positive reviews, based on 136 reviews. The website's consensus reads, "An ambitious exploration of the immigrant experience with a talented cast that serves the material well".<ref name=rotten>{{cite web |url=http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/namesake/ |title=The Namesake |access-date=1 August 2024 |website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]] |archive-date=4 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150804092828/http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/namesake/ |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Metacritic]] reported the film had an average score of 82 out of 100, based on 33 reviews, indicating "universal acclaim".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/movie/the-namesake/ |title=The Namesake |access-date=1 August 2024 |website=[[Metacritic]] |archive-date=17 January 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080117230616/http://www.metacritic.com/film/titles/namesake |url-status=live }}</ref>


===Top ten lists===
===Top ten lists===
The film appeared on several critics' top ten lists of the best films of 2007.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/film/awards/2007/toptens.shtml |title=Metacritic: 2007 Film Critic Top Ten Lists |access-date=5 January 2008 |website=[[Metacritic]] |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080102102034/http://www.metacritic.com/film/awards/2007/toptens.shtml <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = 2 January 2008}}</ref>
The film appeared on several critics' top ten lists of the best films of 2007.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/film/awards/2007/toptens.shtml |title=Metacritic: 2007 Film Critic Top Ten Lists |access-date=5 January 2008 |website=[[Metacritic]] |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080102102034/http://www.metacritic.com/film/awards/2007/toptens.shtml <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = 2 January 2008}}</ref>


*6th - Peter Rainer, ''[[The Christian Science Monitor]]''
*6th – Peter Rainer, ''[[The Christian Science Monitor]]''
*8th - Carrie Rickey, ''[[The Philadelphia Inquirer]]''
*8th – Carrie Rickey, ''[[The Philadelphia Inquirer]]''
*8th - Claudia Puig, ''[[USA Today]]''
*8th – Claudia Puig, ''[[USA Today]]''
*9th - [[James Berardinelli]], ReelViews
*9th – [[James Berardinelli]], ReelViews


===Awards and nominations===
===Awards and nominations===
*'''Won''' - Love is Folly International Film Festival ([[Bulgaria]]) - "Golden Aphrodite" - [[Mira Nair]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-03-04 |title=Ретроспекция Любовта е Лудост {{!}} IFF "Love Is Folly" |url=https://loveisfolly.com/en/retrospection/ |access-date=2022-10-10 |language=bg |archive-date=10 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221010225157/https://loveisfolly.com/en/retrospection/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
*'''Won''' – Love is Folly International Film Festival ([[Bulgaria]]) – "Golden Aphrodite" – [[Mira Nair]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-03-04 |title=Ретроспекция Любовта е Лудост {{!}} IFF "Love Is Folly" |url=https://loveisfolly.com/en/retrospection/ |access-date=2022-10-10 |language=bg |archive-date=10 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221010225157/https://loveisfolly.com/en/retrospection/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
*Nominated - Casting Society of America - "Best Feature Film Casting" - [[Cindy Tolan]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=2007 Artios Awards |url=https://www.castingsociety.com/awards/artios/2007 |access-date=2022-10-10 |website=www.castingsociety.com |language=en |archive-date=26 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200326224007/https://www.castingsociety.com/awards/artios/2007 |url-status=live }}</ref>
*Nominated – Casting Society of America – "Best Feature Film Casting" – [[Cindy Tolan]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=2007 Artios Awards |url=https://www.castingsociety.com/awards/artios/2007 |access-date=2022-10-10 |website=www.castingsociety.com |language=en |archive-date=26 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200326224007/https://www.castingsociety.com/awards/artios/2007 |url-status=live }}</ref>
*Nominated - [[Gotham Awards 2007]] - "Best Film" - [[Mira Nair]] & Lydia Dean Pilcher<ref>{{Cite web |date=2007-10-22 |title=17th Annual Gotham Awards Unveil Nominees for Year's Best Independent Films |url=https://www.prweb.com/releases/2007/10/prweb563097.htm |access-date=2022-10-10 |website=PRWeb |archive-date=10 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221010222149/https://www.prweb.com/releases/2007/10/prweb563097.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>
*Nominated – [[Gotham Awards 2007]] – "Best Film" – [[Mira Nair]] and Lydia Dean Pilcher<ref>{{Cite web |date=2007-10-22 |title=17th Annual Gotham Awards Unveil Nominees for Year's Best Independent Films |url=https://www.prweb.com/releases/2007/10/prweb563097.htm |access-date=2022-10-10 |website=PRWeb |archive-date=10 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221010222149/https://www.prweb.com/releases/2007/10/prweb563097.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref>
*Nominated - [[Independent Spirit Awards 2007|Independent Spirit Award]] - "Best Supporting Male" - [[Irrfan Khan]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sciretta |first=Peter |date=2007-11-27 |title=Independent Spirit Awards Nominations: A Look At The Best Indie Films Of 2007 |url=https://www.slashfilm.com/497556/independent-spirit-awards-nominations-a-look-at-the-best-indie-films-of-2007/ |access-date=2022-10-10 |website=[[/Film]] |language=en-US |archive-date=10 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221010222147/https://www.slashfilm.com/497556/independent-spirit-awards-nominations-a-look-at-the-best-indie-films-of-2007/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
*Nominated – [[Independent Spirit Awards 2007|Independent Spirit Award]] – "Best Supporting Male" – [[Irrfan Khan]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sciretta |first=Peter |date=2007-11-27 |title=Independent Spirit Awards Nominations: A Look At The Best Indie Films Of 2007 |url=https://www.slashfilm.com/497556/independent-spirit-awards-nominations-a-look-at-the-best-indie-films-of-2007/ |access-date=2022-10-10 |website=[[/Film]] |language=en-US |archive-date=10 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221010222147/https://www.slashfilm.com/497556/independent-spirit-awards-nominations-a-look-at-the-best-indie-films-of-2007/ |url-status=live }}</ref>


==See also==
==See also==
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==External links==
==External links==
*{{IMDb title}}
*{{IMDb title}}
⚫
*[https://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi569835801 Official trailer]
*{{Amg movie|321285}}
*{{Amg movie|321285}}
*{{Rotten Tomatoes}}
*{{Rotten Tomatoes}}
*{{Metacritic film}}
*{{Metacritic film}}
*{{mojo title|namesake}}
*{{mojo title|namesake}}
⚫
*[https://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi569835801 Official trailer]


{{Mira Nair}}
{{Mira Nair}}
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[[Category:2006 films]]
[[Category:2006 films]]
[[Category:2006 drama films]]
[[Category:2006 drama films]]
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[[Category:Adultery in films]]
[[Category:American drama films]]
[[Category:American drama films]]
⚫
[[Category:American independent films]]
[[Category:Indian drama films]]
[[Category:Indian drama films]]
[[Category:Indian independent films]]
[[Category:Films about Indian Americans]]
[[Category:Films about Indian Americans]]
[[Category:English-language Indian films]]
[[Category:English-language Indian films]]
[[Category:English-language Japanese films]]
[[Category:English-language Japanese films]]
[[Category:Japanese drama films]]
[[Category:Japanese drama films]]
[[Category:Japanese independent films]]
[[Category:Films about adultery in the United States]]
[[Category:Films about immigration to the United States]]
[[Category:Films about immigration to the United States]]
[[Category:Films based on American novels]]
[[Category:Films based on American novels]]

Revision as of 22:36, 25 September 2024

For other uses, see Namesake (disambiguation).

The Namesake
Promotional poster
Directed byMira Nair
Screenplay bySooni Taraporevala
Based onThe Namesake
by Jhumpa Lahiri
Produced byMira Nair
Lydia Dean Pilcher
StarringKal Penn
Tabu
Irrfan Khan
Zuleikha Robinson
Jacinda Barrett
Sebastian Roché
Sahira Nair
Ruma Guha Thakurta
Sabyasachi Chakrabarty
Supriya Devi
CinematographyFrederick Elmes
Edited byAllyson C. Johnson
Music byNitin Sawhney
Production
companies
Distributed byFox Searchlight Pictures
Release dates
  • 2 September 2006 (2006-09-02) (Telluride)
  • 9 March 2007 (2007-03-09) (United States)
  • 23 March 2007 (2007-03-23) (India)
Running time
121 minutes[1]
CountriesUnited States
India
Japan
LanguagesEnglish
Bengali
Budget$9.5 million[2]
Box office$20.14 million[3]

The Namesake is a 2006 English-language drama film directed by Mira Nair and written by Sooni Taraporevala based on the novel The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri. It stars Kal Penn, Tabu, Irrfan Khan and Sahira Nair. The film was produced by Indian, American and Japanese studios.[4] The film was released in the United States on 9 March 2007, following screenings at film festivals in Toronto and New York City. The Namesake received positive reviews from American critics.[5]

Plot

The Namesake depicts the struggles of Ashoke and Ashima Ganguli, first-generation immigrants from the state of West Bengal to the United States, and their American-born children Gogol and Sonia. The film takes place primarily in Kolkata, New York City, and suburbs of New York City.

The story begins as Ashoke and Ashima leave Calcutta and settle in New York City. Through a series of miscues, their son's nickname, Gogol (named after Russian author Nikolai Gogol), becomes his official birth name, an event which will shape many aspects of his life. The story chronicles Gogol's cross-cultural experiences[6] and his exploration of his Bengali heritage, as the story primarily shifts between the United States and Kolkata.

Gogol becomes a lazy, pot-smoking teenager who is indifferent to his cultural background. He resents many of the customs and traditions his family upholds and doesn't understand his parents. After an eight month long trip to India before starting college at Yale, Gogol starts opening up to his culture and becomes more accepting of it.

Shortly after his eighteenth birthday, much to his parents' annoyance, Gogol legally changes his name to "Nikhil", (the name he had supposedly refused to be addressed by when he was in kindergarten). In college, Gogol uses his "good name" Nikhil (later shortened to Nick). He works as an architect and dates Maxine, a white American woman from a wealthy background, who is clueless about their cultural differences. Gogol introduces her to his parents, who struggle to understand his modern, American perspectives on dating, marriage and love. They are hesitant and guarded when meeting her. Gogol gets along with Maxine's family and feels closer to them than he does his own family.

Before he goes to Ohio for a teaching apprenticeship, Ashoke tells Gogol the story of a nearly fatal train accident that he had suffered years ago back in India and how he came up with his name. Shortly after, while Gogol is on vacation with Maxine's family, Ashoke dies. Grieving, Gogol tries to be more like what he thinks his parents want him to be and begins following cultural customs more closely. He grows distant from Maxine and eventually breaks up with her.

Gogol rekindles a friendship with Moushumi, the daughter of family friends. They begin dating and soon after get married. However, the marriage is short-lived as Moushumi, bored with being a wife, starts having an affair with an old boyfriend from Paris. Gogol divorces her, while Ashima blames herself for pressuring Gogol to marry a fellow Bengali. Gogol returns home to help Ashima pack the house when he finds the book (a collection of short stories by Nikolai Gogol) which Ashoke had gifted him on his fourteenth birthday. Searching for comfort, and accepting his new life alone, Gogol finally reads the stories written by his namesake on the train home.

As well as depicting Gogol/Nikhil's experiences, the film describes the courtship and marriage of Ashima and Ashoke, and the effect on the family from Ashoke's early death from a massive heart attack. Through experiencing his father's funeral rites on the banks of the Ganges, Gogol begins to appreciate Indian culture. Ashima's decision to move on with her life, selling the suburban family home and returning to Calcutta for part of each year, unifies and ends the story.

Cast

The film has cameo appearances by actor Samrat Chakrabarti, academic Partha Chatterjee and visual artist Naeem Mohaiemen.

Development

Initially Rani Mukerji was considered for the principal lead, but due to scheduling conflicts with Karan Johar's Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna, the role then went to Tabu. Kal Penn was recommended for the movie by John Cho and strongly requested by Nair's son, who was a fan of Penn in Harold and Kumar.[7][8]

Soundtrack

The soundtrack has varied music: Indian, Anglo-Indian (by Nitin Sawhney, influenced by Ravi Shankar's music for Pather Panchali),[9] and a French piece. One British Indian electronica piece is State of Bengal's "IC408." The ringtone from Moushumi's mobile phone is the song "Riviera Rendezvous" by Ursula 1000 from the album Kinda' Kinky; this is the same song that is played when Gogol and Moushumi first sleep together. The Indian classical pieces (performed on screen by Tabu) were sung by Mitali Banerjee Bhawmik, a New Jersey–based musician.

Critical reception

The film received favorable reviews from critics. Review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes reports that 85% of critics gave the film positive reviews, based on 136 reviews. The website's consensus reads, "An ambitious exploration of the immigrant experience with a talented cast that serves the material well".[5] Metacritic reported the film had an average score of 82 out of 100, based on 33 reviews, indicating "universal acclaim".[10]

Top ten lists

The film appeared on several critics' top ten lists of the best films of 2007.[11]

Awards and nominations

See also

References

  1. ^ "The Namesake (12)". BBFC. Archived from the original on 10 October 2022. Retrieved 7 May 2017.
  2. ^ "The Namesake". Box Office Mojo. Archived from the original on 25 June 2023. Retrieved 10 March 2021.
  3. ^ The Namesake at Box Office Mojo
  4. ^ "The Namesake (2006)". BFI. British Film Institute. Archived from the original on 4 December 2018. Retrieved 3 April 2019.
  5. ^ a b "The Namesake". Rotten Tomatoes. Archived from the original on 4 August 2015. Retrieved 1 August 2024.
  6. ^ "The Namesake (2006) : When Cultures Clash". Movierdo. 15 February 2020. Archived from the original on 25 June 2023. Retrieved 12 July 2020.
  7. ^ Pause, Arun Kale, code fixes and updates by Stef. "Nirali Magazine - 21 Things You Didn't Know About The Namesake". niralimagazine.com. Archived from the original on 7 October 2017. Retrieved 3 October 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  8. ^ "Why Rani, Abhishek lost out on Namesake". Rediff.com. 23 March 2007. Archived from the original on 15 July 2011. Retrieved 12 March 2011.
  9. ^ Observer Music Monthly, March 2007
  10. ^ "The Namesake". Metacritic. Archived from the original on 17 January 2008. Retrieved 1 August 2024.
  11. ^ "Metacritic: 2007 Film Critic Top Ten Lists". Metacritic. Archived from the original on 2 January 2008. Retrieved 5 January 2008.
  12. ^ "Ретроспекция Любовта е Лудост | IFF "Love Is Folly"" (in Bulgarian). 4 March 2018. Archived from the original on 10 October 2022. Retrieved 10 October 2022.
  13. ^ "2007 Artios Awards". www.castingsociety.com. Archived from the original on 26 March 2020. Retrieved 10 October 2022.
  14. ^ "17th Annual Gotham Awards Unveil Nominees for Year's Best Independent Films". PRWeb. 22 October 2007. Archived from the original on 10 October 2022. Retrieved 10 October 2022.
  15. ^ Sciretta, Peter (27 November 2007). "Independent Spirit Awards Nominations: A Look At The Best Indie Films Of 2007". /Film. Archived from the original on 10 October 2022. Retrieved 10 October 2022.
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