Review of film 'The Namesake'
A BEAUTIFUL JOURNEY CALLED ‘THE NAMESAKE’
Books and movies though both aspects of entertainment and literature, but when one adapted to another creates a hugely bizarre results. So, being a true movie buff and avid book lover it really scares my wits off to see a movie based on book. Will it do justice to book or am I going to be disappointed or is it going to offend book. Just few weeks before I finished writing my review of Jhumpa Lahiri’s ‘The Namesake’. Spindling stupendous words and exotic grammar that dwindled me to the book was about to go under camera lens. Though the face behind camera was a known and well though in expert hands one still can never be too sure. Following were revelations of first day first show of Fox light‘s latest production.
The book which I have read and reviewed was picturised in front of me with Ashok Ganguli (Irfan Khan) in 1970s something traveling in a train where a co-passenger and a train incident help him decide to migrate in new country. Flown to United States for further study, he returns to search a company his bride in India and lands up to see Ashima (Tabu). Fascinated by his shoes Ashima agrees to marry a stranger and fly to even more strange land with no one she knows around. Then begins a journey and a struggle to make a foreign land own home. They have 2 additions in their family a son and daughter. Son for some weird reason is named Gogol after Russian author Nikolai Gogol. Disgraced by his name and Indian standards of living, Gogol(Kal Penn) grows up and graduates. After reaching a legal age he changes his name to Nikhil, much against his parent’s wishes. The influencing cultures, conflicting standards, compromising parents and embarrassed children are well shown in scenes by director. The twist comes in story when Gogol realizes his name was respect to author whose book saved life of his father after a train accident. The name symbolizes the happiness obtained after the accident, a new life, a boon given by God. The truth is narrated by Ashoke when he leaves for a 6 month job at Ohio leaving Ashima alone in house for first time in life. Gogol falls in love with a white girl, goes camping with her celebrates his birthday with her family disappointing his. One day they learn that their mentor Ashok has died of heart attack alone in hospital. Darkness glooms over and then is fight to their soreness.
Mira Nair has excelled in all forms, a true narrator, and story teller. The minor elements are so wonderfully taken care of by her. Screenplay is well adapted by Sooni Taraporewala and not at all disappointing Jhumpa’s fans. The movie is an emotional journey that makes us value our loved ones. It makes one nostalgic about their life and importance of different relationships that go on intertwining in our web. The immigrant Diasporas is so well portrayed. The actors have added cream to a well baked cake. Tabu and Irrfan Khan are gems of India which are adept for their role and stunned audience by their performances and Bengali accents. Kal Penn is surprise package which after comedy genre has just cake walked with a emotional turbulent act. Mira nair is just kept her audience wah wahing from Salaam Bombay to Missispi Masal to Monsoon wedding and now Namesake. And, I can comfortably say that seeing the movie was like reading Jhumpa’s grammatically excellent words. A must see for all movie goers and for all who have relations and ties in their life.
To end, For your loved ones’ sake go and watch ‘The Namesake’.
Rating Chart-****1/2
Rating Chart
* Bhool Hi jaaon / Whatever
** Theek Hai Chalalenge / Please just let it be
*** Accha Hain Achha Hain /Hmmmmmm
**** Kya Baat HainJhakkaas / Wow, that’s fantastic
***** Dimaag aur Dil Hila De / Is this for real or what
Books and movies though both aspects of entertainment and literature, but when one adapted to another creates a hugely bizarre results. So, being a true movie buff and avid book lover it really scares my wits off to see a movie based on book. Will it do justice to book or am I going to be disappointed or is it going to offend book. Just few weeks before I finished writing my review of Jhumpa Lahiri’s ‘The Namesake’. Spindling stupendous words and exotic grammar that dwindled me to the book was about to go under camera lens. Though the face behind camera was a known and well though in expert hands one still can never be too sure. Following were revelations of first day first show of Fox light‘s latest production.
The book which I have read and reviewed was picturised in front of me with Ashok Ganguli (Irfan Khan) in 1970s something traveling in a train where a co-passenger and a train incident help him decide to migrate in new country. Flown to United States for further study, he returns to search a company his bride in India and lands up to see Ashima (Tabu). Fascinated by his shoes Ashima agrees to marry a stranger and fly to even more strange land with no one she knows around. Then begins a journey and a struggle to make a foreign land own home. They have 2 additions in their family a son and daughter. Son for some weird reason is named Gogol after Russian author Nikolai Gogol. Disgraced by his name and Indian standards of living, Gogol(Kal Penn) grows up and graduates. After reaching a legal age he changes his name to Nikhil, much against his parent’s wishes. The influencing cultures, conflicting standards, compromising parents and embarrassed children are well shown in scenes by director. The twist comes in story when Gogol realizes his name was respect to author whose book saved life of his father after a train accident. The name symbolizes the happiness obtained after the accident, a new life, a boon given by God. The truth is narrated by Ashoke when he leaves for a 6 month job at Ohio leaving Ashima alone in house for first time in life. Gogol falls in love with a white girl, goes camping with her celebrates his birthday with her family disappointing his. One day they learn that their mentor Ashok has died of heart attack alone in hospital. Darkness glooms over and then is fight to their soreness.
Mira Nair has excelled in all forms, a true narrator, and story teller. The minor elements are so wonderfully taken care of by her. Screenplay is well adapted by Sooni Taraporewala and not at all disappointing Jhumpa’s fans. The movie is an emotional journey that makes us value our loved ones. It makes one nostalgic about their life and importance of different relationships that go on intertwining in our web. The immigrant Diasporas is so well portrayed. The actors have added cream to a well baked cake. Tabu and Irrfan Khan are gems of India which are adept for their role and stunned audience by their performances and Bengali accents. Kal Penn is surprise package which after comedy genre has just cake walked with a emotional turbulent act. Mira nair is just kept her audience wah wahing from Salaam Bombay to Missispi Masal to Monsoon wedding and now Namesake. And, I can comfortably say that seeing the movie was like reading Jhumpa’s grammatically excellent words. A must see for all movie goers and for all who have relations and ties in their life.
To end, For your loved ones’ sake go and watch ‘The Namesake’.
Rating Chart-****1/2
Rating Chart
* Bhool Hi jaaon / Whatever
** Theek Hai Chalalenge / Please just let it be
*** Accha Hain Achha Hain /Hmmmmmm
**** Kya Baat HainJhakkaas / Wow, that’s fantastic
***** Dimaag aur Dil Hila De / Is this for real or what
My 
6 comments:
hey thanx a ton dude....
nvr came across this movie ....
ya its really true
Books and movies though both aspects of entertainment and literature, but when one adapted to another creates a hugely bizarre results
hello, tnx for gng thru my blog
well a space is a space. no one can actually make someone's space changed. so next time u make a HONEST advice look out
thnx again
Hey me ganna hit the theatre soon..Sounds like it s gann be one great movie!
good one, way to go mate!
well ..i lovd de movie...jz awesome.. n u 'av given a very nice description of de movie..i din't wrote one as i thnk i'll not b able to give a justified review..
Hi
Thanks for all you lovely word.
Yes its Fantastic movie.
Good review..
take care
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