'The Namesake' lives up to its name

Written by the prolific Jumpha Lahiri, directed by the incomparable Mira Nair, starring arguably the best Indian actress of the era, it would be hard to imagine The Namesake to be anything less than spectacular. And spectacular it is, in part because it paints a realistic picture of Indians living in America, who are constantly torn between conforming to lofty Indian ideals in the earnest hope that their roots are not forgotten and trying to blur those very lines that delineate them from others.

With ample help from the clear-thinking Jumpha Lahiri the movie explores the trials of an Indian kid growing up in the US, while also articulating the hardships of first generation Indian parents who, while not entirely on board with their children’s dating habits or lifestyles, manage to endure it to merely the extent needed to keep their own peace of mind and their children just short of insane.

Tabu does an excellent job in the role of a conservative yet progressive, well-learned Indian woman who hurts from her son’s seemingly scant regard for family affairs, but is also extremely touched when he delivers at the right time. Kal Penn, for his part, is spot on in his portrayal of a youngster drawn by the glamor of the American lifestyle. The movie sees him grow from a self-indulgent college kid lounging in his girlfriend’s affluent family home in Oyster Bay to a responsible young man when he suddenly finds himself thrown into a situation that demands it.

The Namesake does away with the rosy-eyed unrealism of Mississippi Masala and the heart-wrenching bleakness of Monsoon Wedding, in exploring the trials and tribulations of every Indian wanting to live the American dream, and living it well.

After being assaulted with disasters like ABCD and American Desi, we finally have something that comes close to the American version of Bend it Like Bekham.