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Review
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The Namesake: Brilliant piece of cinema
indya.com rating: 4 out of 5
Cast: Irfan Khan, Tabu, Kal Penn and Jacinda Barrett
Director: Mira Nair
Synopsis: The film begins in the late 70s with a train accident involving Ashoke Ganguli (Irfan). It then jumps three years ahead to his arranged marriage with the coy, Ashima (Tabu). Post marriage he takes her from Kolkata to New York where he is working on his Ph.D in fibre optics. Born and brought up in a close knit family, Ashima feels very lonely in New York but manages to adjust and the couple's love for each other grows. When their first child is born, they have to give him a name before being able to bring him home from the hospital as per American laws. The couple decides on a tentative name which they later plan to change. Ashoke names him Gogol, after his favourite Russian author. When Gogol turns 4 and starts going to school, he insists on keeping his name and does not change it.
Years pass by and Gogol (Kal Penn) grows into a promising architect, having a rich American girlfriend, Maxine (Jacinda Barrett). However, he struggles to come to terms with his Bengali heritage, neglecting his parents and even detesting his own name based on the famously depressing, eccentric but very intelligent author. Gogol is torn between finding his own unique individuality and yet holding on to his cultural heritage. When Gogol finally decides to change his name, Ashoke explains why he was named Gogol and points out how much importance that name carries every single day of his life.
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The sudden death of Ashoke changes many equations for Gogol and Ashima. Gogol leaves Maxine and on his mother's insistence goes for an arranged marriage with a family friend's daughter, Moushami (Zuleikha Robinson). As time passes, with the outcome of certain events, Gogol embraces who he is and understands the significance of "Gogol" to his father.
Based on Pulitzer award winning novelist Jhumpa Lahiri's book by the same name, The Namesake is Mira Nair's best film till date. She has finely concentrated on the narrative and emotional journey of each of her characters. The subtle emotions (without being overdramatic) she infuses in her characters through their lives are heartfelt. The initial slow pace comes to good effect as it introduces us to each character thoroughly and makes sure we stay with them throughout.
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Despite the last 15 minutes of the film looking a little hurried, the over all impact is good and not rushed. Sooni Taraporewala's screenplay does complete justice to the novel and it doesn't matter if one has read it or not while watching the film. Her script is moving and ultimately rewarding, with a strong central theme about exploring the world around us. Some scenes stay in your heart for long such as, Ashima trying out Ashoke's 'Made in USA' shoes during their first meeting then later on again in New York and Gogol doing the same when he visit's Ashoke's apartment after his death or the scene when Ashoke reveals to Gogol the secret behind his name and Ashima's reaction scene on hearing on phone about her husband's death.
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If the script and direction is first rate, acting by all main actors matches the standards. Irfan is outstanding whereas Tabu is brilliant and makes you empathise with her loneliness. She also has her moments of understated humour like for instance when she says, "When I close my eyes and listen to my children, I feel I have given birth to strangers" or the scene when her son brings his American girlfriend home. Kal Penn famously known for his dead pan comedy in Hollywood movies (Van Wilder, Superman Returns) is the surprise package of the film and gives a sensitive, multi-layered performance that is extremely engaging. Few are aware that this role was first offered to Abhishek Bachchan, who after a long delay had declined it. The very attractive Zuleikha Robinson is okay. Sahira Nair (Mira's daughter) playing Gogol's sister is good.
This gorgeously photographed film, is a must watch for connoisseurs of good cinema and one will surely learn a little more every time you watch it.
-- Abhijit Mhamunkar
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