Call Me Gogol... Gogol Ganguli
November 25th 2009 00:39
For today's post, I'm recommending that you all go rent and watch The Namesake. It's a fantastic, vibrant film about what it means to grow up as "other" and American in the United States--a common experience for first generation American-born (e.g. parents from a different country, child born in the U.S.). It explores the constantly changing and blurred line between us and them and what we're willing to sacrifice for the side we want to be on.
Much of the movie focuses on the relationship between the father, Ashoke Ganguli played by Irrfan Khan, and his son Gogol aka Nikhil played by Kal Penn. Yes, Kal Penn from Harold and Kumar Go To White Castle. It may be the same actor, but it's a very different performance.
And although this is the main point of the plot, I thought it made sense to recommend this movie on a women's blog for several reasons: The film was directed by Mira Nair of Monsoon Wedding and Vanity Fair. The screenplay was written by Sooni Taraporevala and the novel on which the movie was based by Jhumpa Lahiri (both women.)
And very importantly, I'm recommending The Namesake because of the outstanding performance by Tabu as Ashima Ganguli, wife and mother. Tabu's performance was so believable as she struggled to maintain her traditions and yet adopt to her new country, and as she raised multicultural children, a completely new phenomenon for her. This film comes close to depicting my upbringing, and I saw a lot of my mother in Ashima. Tabu clearly got the role right.
For anyone who might be waffling on the fact that it's a foreign film, or that it's about India and Indians and Indian traditions, or that it's a coming of age plot, forget about all of that. It has really enjoyable moments with surprisingly funny, real and sad moments. The film is visually interesting, the pacing is good and the acting very good. Watch this movie!
Much of the movie focuses on the relationship between the father, Ashoke Ganguli played by Irrfan Khan, and his son Gogol aka Nikhil played by Kal Penn. Yes, Kal Penn from Harold and Kumar Go To White Castle. It may be the same actor, but it's a very different performance.
And although this is the main point of the plot, I thought it made sense to recommend this movie on a women's blog for several reasons: The film was directed by Mira Nair of Monsoon Wedding and Vanity Fair. The screenplay was written by Sooni Taraporevala and the novel on which the movie was based by Jhumpa Lahiri (both women.)
And very importantly, I'm recommending The Namesake because of the outstanding performance by Tabu as Ashima Ganguli, wife and mother. Tabu's performance was so believable as she struggled to maintain her traditions and yet adopt to her new country, and as she raised multicultural children, a completely new phenomenon for her. This film comes close to depicting my upbringing, and I saw a lot of my mother in Ashima. Tabu clearly got the role right.
For anyone who might be waffling on the fact that it's a foreign film, or that it's about India and Indians and Indian traditions, or that it's a coming of age plot, forget about all of that. It has really enjoyable moments with surprisingly funny, real and sad moments. The film is visually interesting, the pacing is good and the acting very good. Watch this movie!
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