“The Namesake”
Reviewed by: Megan Sperry
In the film “The Namesake” the viewer is exposed to a story about love and family that is not confined by cultural boundaries. The film offers insight to the Indian culture and its processes. In the film a young couple’s strength is tested as they move to America and adapt in many ways but they never fully prepare themselves for the possibility of not having each other.
“The Namesake” was based on the book by: Jhumpa Lahiri. Its story was so powerful that it made its way to the big screen. The story follows a traditional Indian couple to New York City where the husband is a professor. He chose his wife in India and brings her to America where she is clearly culture shocked. When their family expands, they adapt to the new world as best as they can but they often hold on to their traditions.
With two children who know nothing but the American way, it is hard for the family to relate sometimes. To the parents, family is what life and love is about. To the kids, life is about loud music and whatever is hip. As the story unravels, the son who was named Gogol struggles to understand why his parents would give him such an awkward name. He gets picked on in school and through out his life, so when he gets to be in his late teens he tells his parents that he would like to change his name.
Gogol’s father and mother are hurt, but they understand that they come from a different world than him and if he would like to do such a thing than he will do it whether he will approve or not. But his father tells him there is a reason why his name is Gogol and that some day he will tell him the story. As the family becomes distant and American life continues to take over, the parents find themselves alone again. Just before Gogol’s dad goes away for the summer to teach in Chicago, he tells him the miraculous story of how and why he named his son Gogol.
“The Namesake” is a powerful story about culture, tradition, love and life, but its message did not hold as much weight in this film as it did in the book. The novels message is much more enchanting and touching. Much of its fervor is lost as only some of its key points are barely touched upon in the film. The film does do a good job of exposing its overall message, but to get there it some how loses the momentous tone of the book.
- Story- A
- Acting- B
- Visuals- A
- Originality/ Innovation- A
- Enjoyability- B
- Overall- A
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