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Poster for The Namesake

The Namesake

Two Worlds. One Journey.

2006 · 2h 2m · PG-13 Drama
Directed by Mira Nair

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Overview

After moving from Calcutta to New York, members of the Ganguli family maintain a delicate balancing act between honoring the traditions of their native India and blending into American culture. Although parents Ashoke and Ashima are proud of the sacrifices they make to give their children opportunities, their son Gogol strives to forge his own identity without forgetting his heritage.

Director and cast

Critics on Rotten Tomatoes

Top critics, in their words

All reviews
85%
Tomatometer
Fresh

What holds it together are the subtle loving performances by Tabu and Khan, both Bollywoood stars. They never overplay, never spell out what can be said in a glance or a shrug, communicate great passion very quietly.

Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
Fresh

It is a saga told in small pieces, a patchwork of short scenes that tumble after each other almost apologetically, as if they would love to linger a little longer, but there is too much to tell and only so much time in which to do it.

Jonathan F. Richards, Film.com
Rotten

Penn is just wrong for it.

Roger Moore, Orlando Sentinel
Fresh

Intelligent and insightful, The Namesake celebrates family in a unique way.

Eleanor Ringel Gillespie, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Fresh

This is a wonderful movie.

Randy Cordova, Arizona Republic

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