Contents. Plot The Namesake depicts the struggles of Ashoke and Ashima Ganguli ( and ), first-generation immigrants from the state of to the United States, and their American-born children Gogol and Sonia. The film takes place primarily in, and state suburbs. The story begins as Ashoke and Ashima leave Calcutta and settle in New York City.
The Namesake Trailer American-born Gogol, the son of Indian immigrants, wants to fit in among his fellow New Yorkers, despite his family’s unwillingness to let go of their traditional ways.
Through a series of miscues, their son's nickname, Gogol (named after Ukrainian author ), becomes his official birth name, an event which will shape many aspects of his life. The story chronicles Gogol's cross-cultural experiences and his exploration of his Indian heritage, as the story shifts between the United States and India. Gogol becomes a lazy, pot smoking teenager indifferent to his cultural background. He resents many of the customs and traditions his family upholds and doesn't understand his parents. After a summer trip to India before starting college at Yale, Gogol starts opening up to his culture and becomes more accepting of it. After college, Gogol uses his 'good name' Nikhil (later shortened to Nick). He works as an architect and dates Maxine , a white woman from a wealthy background, who is clueless about their cultural differences.
Gogol falls in love with Maxine and introduces her to his parents, who struggle to understand his modern, American perspectives on dating, marriage and love. They are hesitant and guarded when meeting her. Gogol gets along with Maxine's family and feels closer to them than he does his own family. Before he goes to Ohio for a teaching apprenticeship, Ashoke tells Gogol the story of how he came up with his name.
Shortly after, while Gogol is on a vacation with Maxine's family, Ashoke dies. Grieving, Gogol tries to be more like what he thinks his parents want him to be and begins following cultural customs more closely.
He grows distant from Maxine and eventually breaks up with her. Gogol rekindles a friendship with Moushumi , the daughter of family friends. They begin dating and soon after get married. However, the marriage is short lived as Moushumi, bored with being a wife, begins having an affair with an old boyfriend from Paris. Gogol divorces her, while Ashima blames herself for pressuring Gogol to marry a fellow Bengali. Gogol returns home to help Ashima pack the house when he finds the book Ashoke gave him as a graduation present. Searching for comfort, and accepting his new life alone, Gogol finally reads the stories written by his namesake on the train home.
As well as depicting Gogol/Nikhil's experiences, the film describes the courtship and marriage of Ashima and Ashoke, and the effect on the family from Ashoke's early death from a massive heart attack. Through experiencing his father's funeral rites on the banks of the, Gogol begins to appreciate Indian culture. Ashima's decision to move on with her life, selling the suburban family home and returning to Calcutta, unifies and ends the story. Cast.
as Nikhil 'Gogol' Ganguli. as child Gogol aged 4 years.
as Ashima Ganguli. as Ashoke Ganguli. as Sonia Ganguli. as Maxine Ratcliffe.
as Chris. as Mr Lawson (Gogol's teacher). as Moushumi Majumdar. as Ashoke's mother. as Ashima's father. as Ashima's grandmother.
as Ghosh. as Rini.
as Ashima's mother. as Ashoke's father. as Jhumpa Mashi The film has cameo appearances by actor, academic and visual artist. Development Initially was considered for the principal lead, but due to scheduling conflicts, one role went to Tabu. Kal Penn was recommended to the novel by and strongly requested by Nair's son, who was a fan of Penn in. Soundtrack The soundtrack has varied music: Indian, Anglo-Indian (by, influenced by 's music for ), and a French piece.
One piece is 's 'IC408.' The ringtone from Moushumi's mobile phone is the song 'Riviera Rendezvous' by from the album Kinda' Kinky; this is the same song that is played when Gogol and Moushumi first sleep together. The Indian classical pieces (performed on screen by Tabu) were sung by, a -based musician. Critical reception The film received favorable reviews from critics. As of 23 February 2009, the review aggregator reported that 86% of critics gave the film positive reviews, based on 126 reviews. Reported the film had an average score of 82 out of 100, based on 33 reviews. Top ten lists The film appeared on several critics' top ten lists of the best films of 2007.
6th - Peter Rainer,. 8th - Carrie Rickey,. 8th - Claudia Puig,. 9th -, ReelViews Awards and nominations. Won - Love is Folly International Film Festival - 'Golden Aphrodite' -.
Nominated - Casting Society of America - 'Best Feature Film Casting' - Cindy Tolan. Nominated -'Best Film' - & Lydia Dean Pilcher. Nominated -'Best Supporting Male' - See also.
's ' References.