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The Namesake

The Namesake

2006
Romance, Comedy
2h 2m
Spanning two generations, two clashing cultures and two very different ways of life that crash into each other only to become lovingly intertwined, The Namesake is ultimately about the imminently relevant question: what does it mean to be an American family? (Fox Searchlight Pictures)
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The Namesake

2006
Romance, Comedy
2h 2m
Your probable score
Avg Percentile 53.33% from 372 total ratings

Ratings & Reviews

(372)
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Rated 01 May 2008
55
47th
I really wanted this movie to be good but, sadly, it wasn't. Kal Penn did a fine job but, the movie never got off the ground.
Rated 19 Mar 2011
72
41st
Suffers from an inconsistent tone. I feel like Nair wasn't sure how to translate the novel into a cohesive film and instead just presents a "greatest hits" of cliché scenes. Although there are a few intriguing moments, it lacks a distinctive voice and sometimes smacks of mediocrity. But it is a NICE movie, and sometimes nice is enough. If it doesn't do anything new, at least it does it competently enough to mold a cast of likeable, reasonably well-rounded characters whose journey is satisfying.
Rated 14 May 2007
80
68th
Mira Nair channels Robert Benton. A good quite movie all around
Rated 17 May 2007
60
36th
Truth is it should be more effective than it is. Moments that should carry a tremendous emotional impact sneak up on you and barely register-- it's a light rain that should be a monsoon.
Rated 31 Dec 2007
6
70th
A good drama, well-acted (with a rare dramatic turn from Kal Penn) and well-made, although its flaw lies in trying to condense a larger, more elaborate novel into movie length. At risk of being a "the book is better" snob, the book is better, but it's still worth watching.
Rated 08 Apr 2008
80
58th
I appreciated that the main characters in this film were all well-rounded human beings. I very much enjoyed the perspective of the father attempting to pass on his values to the son. The America he wanted his son to have has created a rift in their family, since opportunity comes with rampant individualism. I also appreciated the film's honesty about the loneliness, but also comfort, that comes with living in this country. I suspect the novel is a richer experience, but the film was plenty good.
Rated 06 Aug 2008
33
31st
Nice concept but I expected more from this film. I enjoyed the interaction between the husband and wife and didn't care for the Kal Penn character. The first hour of the film was much better than the second.
Rated 11 Feb 2009
90
79th
I really thought this was an amazing story - shows how life is pretty much a circle - we always come back to what matters - family.
Rated 25 May 2009
59
38th
It's moderately interesting to see commonplace generational conflicts play out amongst a family that has a different cultural background that those usually afforded a place on the flickering screen, but the seeming attempt to instill a sense of universality to their issues robs the film of the unique flavor that should be its greatest strength. It would help if Penn were up to the dramatic challenges of the central role. He's an amiable presence, but the breadth and depth needed is beyond him.
Rated 19 Jun 2009
93
55th
a superb performance by irfan khan !!!!! he is by far one of the best actors in bollywood right now!!!!!
Rated 28 Mar 2010
90
51st
A good film - well directed - well acted by the main characters - other characters that matter make a mark atleast at one point in the narrative. Well worth the watch if you are interested in the issues of identity around uprooting and replanting of the life of an immigrant.
Rated 31 Dec 2010
72
41st
This is quite a bit different from the usual Asian-American cultural identity thing, but I can see some disagreeing. What I like about this is how genuinely annoyed the main character is with his parents and yet how genuinely affectionate he is toward them. There's some good acting here, and some nice visuals. I say it's worth a rental, especially if you like films like The Joy Luck Club and The Debut.
Rated 21 Mar 2011
71
60th
Penn has true dramatic presence to go along with his more familiar comic gifts.
Rated 25 Oct 2011
33
30th
#11#, reviews, story, (Jacinda B)
Rated 30 Nov 2012
70
61st
It's so courteously deferential to its source that it never really comes alive as a movie...Even so, Nair has a gift for directing actors and a feeling for the immigrant milieu of the novel that make The Namesake a rich, if not completely satisfying, pleasure.
Rated 27 Jul 2013
100
97th
The movie is best at the emotional aspects, marrying troubles, lives of immigrant families to USA.
Rated 27 May 2014
1
20th
[1st hour] It had a cool look to it but never once missed an opportunity for cliché, grew really tiresome.
Rated 05 Jul 2016
65
62nd
This movie at turns both pissed me off and spoke to my heart.
Rated 30 Oct 2016
71
66th
This is a film about asian (more traditional) family values and about individual freedom more than Asian-American cultural assimilation. Movie is good but predictability and overacting is litte bit too rough and obvious. But still has solid message
Rated 18 Nov 2023
72
42nd
The melding of the parents histories with Gogol’s life in the U.S. is too complex and ambitious for this film’s modest duration, with some emotional shortcuts making the relationships feel contrived, but Nair’s undeniable feel and passion for these characters almost outweighs the shortfalls, helped by a fine cast (with even Penn showing a real sensitivity). If you’ve ever seen a coming of ager before, you’ll know exactly where this is headed, but it’s still largely fun and engaging.

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