Certainly overlong at two hours, and with a couple strikingly clunky moments, ‘The Namesake’ nonetheless works very well as a glimpse into both Indian culture (think Calcutta, not Native American) and the meaning of family. This is due to a few stellar performances but primarily to novelist Jhumpa Lahiri, who seems to have an innate sense of how to tell an engaging tale. The story here concerns two generations of one family and the struggle to retain the culture of home after transplanting to the United States. Irfan Khan and Tabu are simply incredible as the immigrant parents, but it is Kal Penn (of 'Harold and Kumar...' fame) whose unexpected depth is the nicest surprise here. While it could have easily turned out preachy, ‘The Namesake’ at its best moments feels much like a highbrow soap opera. As its pacing drags and running time drones, however, it begins to feel like a miniseries watched in one sitting.
MAYBE SO (6/10)
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