The Namesake (2006)

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

I'm like Reyes in April at the video-store lately. Aside from that Waitress/Simpsons weekend a few weeks back, almost anything I've chosen over last couple months has been a solid double in the gap -- or better.

Definitely continued this weekend with Once, and even better than Once, The Namesake.

Thwack! The Namesake tells of two generations of an Indian family from their arrival in the USA in the 70s to the present day. The familiar immigrants-adjust-to-America theme (see "In America" discussed elsewhere in CPF history) is brought to life with a well-executed big story arc and some terrific performances especially from the Bollywood veteran you've never heard of who plays the dad.

[Guest AG/DC]

I have Mr. Met here asking me if the film is sad or happy.

[Guest themetfairy]

I thought this was a lovely film - very moving.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

AG/DC wrote: I have Mr. Met here asking me if the film is sad or happy.

Yes.

[Guest AG/DC]

Mr. Met says he doesn't do nuance.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Tell him to give it a shot.

Not as happy as "Bend it Like Beckham."

Not as sad as "In America."

[Guest sharpie]

I read the book and liked it.

Which means I don't want to see the movie.

[Willets Point]

sharpie wrote: I read the book and liked it. Which means I don't want to see the movie.

Ditto, with the added annoyance that the book was set in the Boston area but moved to New York for the movie. No offense to New York but I'd just like one Boston movie that doesn't involve bloodthirsty Irish mobsters and/or obsessed Red Sox fans.

[Guest AG/DC]

How about Southie drunks tortured by the past?

[soupcan]

I don't know what Mellencamp is talking about - I thought this movie blew chunks.

Saw it in the theatres a while back. Agree that the actor who played the dad was excellent but Kal Penn as the son is seriously miscast (and by the way, is just not a terribly good actor) and the story is just so much tripe.

My wife read and loved the book and was similarly disappointed.

BOO!-lywood.

[Willets Point]

AG/DC wrote: How about Southie drunks tortured by the past?

Any Hollywood drunk from Southie will undoubtedly be tortured by a past involving Irish mobsters and/or the Red Sox.

[Guest AG/DC]

Lunchbucket, Mr. Met says you owe him one.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Another vote for 'Blows Chunks" I see.

Maybe I'm rooting for the "Dad" characters too much now, but I thought he was great -- I mean, a super performance. How about when he's just standing there at the airport. Yeah, I know it was a little long. No I didn't read the book.

[Guest AG/DC]

Oh, he was fine. But Mr. Met is sittiing here belly-laughing at the two actresses who played Gogol's love interests.

The film tended to get worse as it progressed, and these actresses were a large part of it. Either they were given horrible dialogue (Maeve Binchy Movie of the Week stuff) and stagey blocking, or these things just became more apparent as these two were getting established.

I hear how your place in life makes you more vulnerable to a particular film. I had my own soft spot. But then they kept poking it.

Mr. Met is right now in the corner repeating

- "How'd you get to be so sexy?"

- "Paris."

and cracking himself up. He might have to sleep in the living room tonight.

[metirish]

soupcan wrote: but Kal Penn as the son is seriously miscast (and by the way, is just not a terribly good actor) .

I thought the same thing, he ruined the movie for me, agree that the Dad was excellent and the son's cheating wive was HOT.