The Namesake

Name: The Namesake
Genre: Drama
Released: March 9, 2007
Duration: 122 min
Rating: 82
Cast: Irrfan Khan, Kal Penn, Tabu

2007

METASCORE

Universal acclaim based on 33 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 74 Ratings

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7.9

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7.9	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 74 Ratings

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The Namesake

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Movie Details & Credits

Fox Searchlight Pictures | Release Date: March 9, 2007 | PG-13

Starring: Irrfan Khan, Kal Penn, Tabu

Summary: 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]

Director: Mira Nair

Genre(s): Drama

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 122 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

Michael Wilmington

Brims with intelligence, compassion and sensuous delight in the textures, sights and sounds of life--all the way from the Taj Mahal to Pearl Jam. Read full review

Paula Nechak

The actors are all well-cast, thoughtful and sometimes funny. Tabu was apparently not Nair's first choice, but after watching her in the role it's hard to imagine anyone else -- she's heartbreakingly good. Read full review

Roger Ebert

It has been said that all modern Russian literature came out of Gogol’s “Overcoat.” In the same way, all of us came out of the overcoat of this same immigrant experience. Read full review

Premiere Glenn Kenny

A thoroughly engaging, terrifically moving family story that's rich in beautifully observed and lovingly conveyed human detail. Read full review

J.R. Jones

After trying her hand at Thackeray with "Vanity Fair," director Mira Nair has found a literary property much closer to her heart: Jhumpa Lahiri's best-selling novel about a Bengali couple and their children trying to find their place in American culture. Read full review

Keith Phipps

It's well-acted and filled with striking compositions, but director Mira Nair has trouble with a different kind of balance. Read full review

Empire Anna Smith

This Indian immigrant family saga is a pleasant watch, but given the emotive source novel, it’s surprisingly superficial. Read full review

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User Reviews

Jennifer

Dec 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

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 book, its like living with the characters 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

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TejasNair

Apr 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.

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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 and even witty at times.

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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.

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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.

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RN.

Apr 24, 2007

Rarely have I been in such disagreement with everyone on a film. This one is just terrible, it is so bad you even notice the poor set and make up. The only thing I can say that is complimentary is the cinematography is good.

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