The Namesake
Fox Searchlight Pictures | Release Date: March 9, 2007
7.9
USER SCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 77 Ratings
USER RATING DISTRIBUTION
Positive:
64
Mixed:
9
Negative:
4
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User Reviews

User scoreBy dateMost helpful
9
ChetRJun 16, 2008
Nair is beginning to fulfill her promise by evolving into a major filmmaker in a very specialized niche.
1 of 1 users found this helpful
10
L.JTanApr 6, 2007
A moving lovingly crafted tribute to first generation Americans that rings true regardless of ethnic origin. A must see!
0 of 0 users found this helpful
10
[Anonymous]Mar 18, 2007
A powerful, moving film that everyone can relate to -- in particular those trying to meld the cultures of East and West and create a sense of home. Mira Nair's best work.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
10
NikzadS.Mar 27, 2007
This is a hard-hitting movie. So real and true to life and yet so beautifully crafted. Amazing work done by the actors of the movie, especially by Irfan Khan and Tabu. Excellent direction by Mira Nair. Its like reading the novel without the This is a hard-hitting movie. So real and true to life and yet so beautifully crafted. Amazing work done by the actors of the movie, especially by Irfan Khan and Tabu. Excellent direction by Mira Nair. Its like reading the novel without the book, its like living with the characters themselves. It just doesnt get better. Its thought provoking.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
8
RD.Mar 28, 2007
Great movie. DOe snot preach that NRis are bad and Indians are great. Excellent performances especially by Tabu and Irfan Khan. But drags in the middle due to which it feels a little boring. otherwise an excellent movie a bit humorous, sad Great movie. DOe snot preach that NRis are bad and Indians are great. Excellent performances especially by Tabu and Irfan Khan. But drags in the middle due to which it feels a little boring. otherwise an excellent movie a bit humorous, sad and even witty at times.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
8
RobertI.Apr 1, 2007
Touching film, sweet-spirited. Needed editing to cut out 15 minutes.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
8
TimD.May 15, 2007
A lovely, heartfelt, beautifully-acted film that explores relationships and family in the framework of cultural and generational contrast, with depth and complexity. Rich in emotional content and, in its low-key way, passionately told.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
10
JenniferDec 8, 2007
The movie is very rich and satisfying. The picture was beautifully laid out and captivating the entire time. A reviewer below said the book is better than the movie. I
0 of 0 users found this helpful
9
LR.Mar 13, 2007
A splendid movie. Mira Nair's movies are always beautiful to look at, the story and characters match the vibrant, realistic visuals.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
8
SteveMar 18, 2007
Another great film from Mira Nair. What I like about this fim an dothers by Nair, is that she looks at the best and worst qualities of both countries and then blends them together. The weakest link of the film is Kal Penn. Once his character Another great film from Mira Nair. What I like about this fim an dothers by Nair, is that she looks at the best and worst qualities of both countries and then blends them together. The weakest link of the film is Kal Penn. Once his character goes beyond high school, Mr. Penn is not as strong as the other actors.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
10
sfdafsadsfsaNov 29, 2007
Excellent movie. Not as good as book though.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
7
MasonP.Mar 12, 2007
Solid film; although I found it a little too predictable and found the acting of the lead role a bit lacking.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
9
JayCMar 16, 2007
Excellent family story of typical intergenerational communiction problems. It is not just because of cultural differences that families do not communicate well, but it does add a lot to this story. Excellent acting and plausable twists kept Excellent family story of typical intergenerational communiction problems. It is not just because of cultural differences that families do not communicate well, but it does add a lot to this story. Excellent acting and plausable twists kept me interested as did the deep emotional content of the material and actors. I cared about this family and their well-being.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
8
SyzygyMar 17, 2007
Delicate story lovingly told by a master storyteller. The arc of the narrative is large, spanning four decades and two very different continents. It paints a deep story about the power traditions maintain on immigrants against the allure Delicate story lovingly told by a master storyteller. The arc of the narrative is large, spanning four decades and two very different continents. It paints a deep story about the power traditions maintain on immigrants against the allure their adopted country builds in them and their children. There is also an excellent character centered subtext that further enriches the story.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
8
PaulK.Mar 28, 2007
Good film. Definitely worth checking out, if you have an interest
0 of 0 users found this helpful
9
ChadS.May 12, 2007
To its credit, "The Namesake"(which tops the two-hour mark), could've been a lot longer without causing anybody(who isn't a philistine) to check their watches. If a director's cut exists, that's where we'll learn how To its credit, "The Namesake"(which tops the two-hour mark), could've been a lot longer without causing anybody(who isn't a philistine) to check their watches. If a director's cut exists, that's where we'll learn how Gogol Ganguli(Kal Penn) met Maxine(Jacinda Barrett). "The Namesake" has a truncated feel because Gogol is already treated like a member of Maxine's wealthy family when the audience is first introduced to her. Perhaps the filmmaker simply wanted to avoid the predictability involved in seeing a white family adjust to their offspring's "exotic" new friend, if acceptance into the fold is going to be the end-result anyway. "The Namesake" does a terrific job of not turning Maxine into an ugly American when she's inside the Ganguli household. Contrary to Maxine(who for the most part seems unaware of her countless faux pas' to Indian customs), Gogol and his sister are consciously arrogant about their American-ness when they return to their native India. "The Namesake" is mostly an amazing film about being an American on a cultural group's own terms.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
9
SayanG.May 13, 2007
Fantastic, real, alluring, with the smells of Calcutta and NY blended together 2 great cities of the modern world with history that spans and ties people across the globe. Bengali's should be proud!!!
0 of 0 users found this helpful
7
FredB.May 18, 2007
A movie that shocked me. I thought it was going to be a waste of my time. But its actually not that bad. No action, but a lot of touching scense.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
9
ThomasH.Jun 24, 2007
Probably the best movie out this year! Great cast, with terrific Indian scenery. The best part is the message about foreigners trying to assimilate into a new culture, and the desire to keep traditions. This is the must-see movie of the year!
0 of 0 users found this helpful
8
oscarrNov 28, 2011
I've never read the book, but the movie was very good. Well acted and moving. I would suggest not to watch it more than once or twice. 8/10 or 81/100.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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9
TejasNairApr 12, 2020
If Mira Nair's The Namesake does not push you into nostalgia with its soothing Indian classical music picturised on golden dramatic moments nothing will. TN.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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8
KenRJun 26, 2023
Director/producer Mira Nair (Vanity Fair’04) brings yet another deeply personal story to the screen - based on the book by Pulitzer Prize-winning writer Jhumpa Lahiri, with a screen adaption by prize winner Sooni Taraporevala. Director NairDirector/producer Mira Nair (Vanity Fair’04) brings yet another deeply personal story to the screen - based on the book by Pulitzer Prize-winning writer Jhumpa Lahiri, with a screen adaption by prize winner Sooni Taraporevala. Director Nair invests a great deal of effort into analyzing the generation gap in an Indian-American family, as they navigate their differences in moral and ethical issues, alongside their traditional family ties from the mother country. Irrfran Kahn (Life of Pi) gives us another superb performance as the father, while gifted Indian actress Tabu equals him as his dedicated wife. Together they try earnestly to connect with their adolescent son (Kal Penn) who’s drifting towards a ‘modern’ shallow existence - failing to connect with those who have dedicated their lives to supplying a loving family base. Cinematography and Music play an important part in guiding the audience’s attention through the multi-layered issues that live within this quality, mature work.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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