Classics: A Review of The Namesake By Lauren Ennis

America is a nation of immigrants and few stories are as American as those of the immigrant experience. The 2006 drama The Namesake relates the experiences of two generations of a Bengali family in the United States as they struggle to forge a new life while striving to hold onto their culture. At once a universal testament to the trials and triumphs of America's immigrants and a unique tale of one family, The Namesake is a film that every family can appreciate.

Let the generations and cultures clash

The story begins in 1960's Calcutta as engineering student Ashoke (Irfan Khan) boards a train to visit his uncle. Before the train can reach its destination, however, an accident occurs that ultimately results in the deaths of the majority of the passengers. Although he survives, this near-death experience leaves him profoundly change as he becomes inspired to live life to the fullest and pursue an engineering career in the United States. While he makes a relatively smooth transition to his adopted country his new wife, Ashmina (Tabu), experiences culture shock and longs to return to India. The couple eventually work together to build a happy marriage in their new home, but later clash with their Americanized children, especially their son Gogol (Kal Penn). The film then shifts its focus to Gogol as he struggles to find his cultural identity as a second generation American. Through its nuanced portrayal of two generations of Bengali-Americans the film weaves a tapestry like tale that encompasses the sacrifices and successes of the American immigrant experience and serves as an ode to immigrants past and present.

Much like The Joy Luck Club before it, The Namesake showcases the unique struggles and victories of both first and second generation Americans. Through its portrayal of Ashoke and Ashmina's very different initial experiences in the United States the film expertly captures the hope and heartache that people encounter as they leave one country behind to begin anew in another. the film also relates the very different reactions that people may have to their new homelands as Ashoke embraces all things American while Ashmina continues to yearn for the culture and family that she left behind. Through its eventual focus upon Gogol, the film similarly explores the difficulties that second generation Americans face in reconciling the culture and traditions of their family with that of the only country that they have ever known. Initially, Gogol sees himself as strictly American and feels no connection to his parents' culture, which he dismisses as having no relevance to his own life. When he finally returns to India to visit his mother's family, neither he nor his equally Americanized sister can relate to the drastically different lives that their relatives are leading. Even after returning from his trip, his interest in his heritage remains limited at best as he returns his attention to the Westernized lifestyles of his friends and girlfriend. When Ashoke dies of a sudden heart attack, however, Gogol's life undergoes a crucial shift as he immerses himself in Bengali culture in an effort to connect with the father and culture that he never fully understood or appreciated. Ultimately, it is only when he is able to strike a balance between his Bengali roots and his American home that he finally finds the fulfillment and identity that he was always seeking. The film successful relates a tale that is at once personal and universal as it portrays each of the characters as nuanced individuals rather than stereotypes and refuses to favor either American or Bengali culture. Through its intelligent script the film takes viewers on an emotional journey into the heart of the question of what does it mean to be an American.

The modern American family

The film brings Jhumpa Lahiri's acclaimed novel to life thanks to the work of its talented cast. Tabu radiates warmth and sincerity as she portrays Ashmina's journey from vivacious girl, to insecure wife, to confident woman ready to 'follow her bliss'. Irfan Khan conveys a sense of upright morality and paternal wisdom worthy of Atticus Finch as Ashoke. Jacinda Barrett and Zuleikha Robinson perfectly contrast each other as Gogol's well-meaning college girlfriend and his tempestuous wife. Kal Penn perfectly captures the conundrum that second generation Americans face in his charismatic turn as the conflicted Gogol.

In its two hour running time The Namesake captures just one piece of the American experience while paying apt homage to immigrants both past and present. Through its intelligent script and engaging performances the film faithfully brings the best-selling novel to the silver screen in a worth adaptation. For a slice of modern day American pie be sure to sample The Namesake.

Don't forget to pack your hankies

Daddy's Issues: Three Disney Films That Are Secretly All About Dad By Lauren Ennis

Father’s Day is a holiday designed to celebrate fathers and all that they do to support, inspire, and teach us. Sometimes, however, Dad has just as many lessons to learn as to teach. This week I’ll be turning the spotlight on three Disney films that are secretly all about Dad learning a few lessons of his own.

Mary Poppins: This classic musical claims to be about the magical adventures of its title heroine, but the greater adventure is the one undertaken by her employer, George Banks. At the film’s start George returns home from work gloating about his outwardly perfect home and family. In keeping with the values of Edwardian England, he demands complete obedience and propriety from his family, whom he describes as “subjects” in the “lordly life” he leads. The moment that he opens the front door, however, viewers are shown just how imperfect the Banks’ home really is. In an effort to establish independence from her confining marriage, Mrs. Banks has devoted herself to the suffragette cause to such an extent that she is hardly present in her children’s lives. Meanwhile, the children, Jane and Michael, attempt to gain both of their parents’ attention by acting out and rebelling against the family’s series of nannies. Rather than recognizing the ways in which his own behavior may have contributed to his family’s dysfunction, George instead opts to impose even further restrictions upon his already stifled wife and children, which naturally leads to the household becoming the very ‘ghastly mess’ that he was trying to ward off. It is then that Mary Poppins flies onto the scene to work her magic. Unlike George, who demands his family’s unquestioning obedience, Mary Poppins earns Jane and Michael’s respect by treating them with kindness, understanding, and patience. Similarly, while she does expect the children to follow her rules, she also instills the value of those rules in them by explaining their purpose. Her infectious influence also extends to the household staff who begin treating each other with the same consideration and politeness that she displays towards them. As a result, she is able to whip the home into the spit spot shape that George wanted by employing the one tactic that her boss never considered; treating those around her as people rather than subjects. George is equal parts mystified and unnerved by this sudden change until he loses his job and realizes that he was treating his family with the same dismissive lack of empathy that his employers regarded him with. By the film’s conclusion, he is reinstated at his job, reconciled with his family, and free to return to his old life, albeit with a crucial change of perspective. By the time that the credits roll, George Banks may not have become the employee or society man that he wanted to be, but thanks to a spoonful of sugar and a taste of his own medicine he has become the husband and father that he needed to be.

It's not like she doesn't have 8 more lives...

The Three Lives of Thomasina: With its meditations upon life, death, grief, and redemption this 1963 film makes for one of Disney’s most complex and emotionally resonant efforts. The film follows young Mary Macduhi and her stern veterinarian father, Andrew, as they struggle to come to grips with the death of Mary’s mother. When grief leaves her father a cold shadow of his former self, Mary pours all of the love that she can no longer give to either of her parents into her beloved cat, Thomasina. Despite working as a veterinarian for years, Andrew sees pets as a frivolous nuisance and prefers to work with livestock and other ‘useful’ animals. As a result, he feels no remorse after euthanizing an elderly or ill pet, which he sees as an act of mercy. When Thomasina contracts tetanus during a fight with another cat, he immediately opts to have her euthanized for fear that the disease could spread, leading to an epidemic. When Mary learns this devastating news her already strained relationship with her father is damaged to the point of estrangement. Andrew tries to reconcile with his daughter, but his every effort is hampered by his inability to understand her love for Thomasina or show his love for her. When news of Thomasina’s death reaches the townsfolk his already suspect professional reputation is called into question. Complicating matters further, word of local recluse Lori MacGregor’s herbal healing and innate skill with animals spreads throughout the town, leading Andrew’s clients to begin taking their pets to herfor treatment. When he finally meets his new rival, he reluctantly realizes that while she lacks his medical training, his own practice would benefit from her natural love of and dedication to animals. What Andrew fails to realize, however, is that Lori is currently treating Thomasina after his assistant failed to properly euthanize the cat. Through his friendship and eventual romance with Lori, Andrew learns the healing power of love and is finally able to express his love for Mary and his remorse at what he believes to be Thomasina’s death. By the film’s conclusion he realizes that all creatures great and small serve some purpose and are deserving of the same love and care that we would like to be treated with. When Thomasina makes a triumphant return to the MacDhui’s, she finds a home where there was once a house and takes her place in a family that is finally whole.

The Little Mermaid: This 1989 animated musical launched the Disney renaissance with its tale of fathers, daughters, and the power of letting go. Although the title would suggest that the film’s focus is upon the headstrong Ariel, the film’s real emotional journey is the one undertaken by her father, King Trident. At the start of the film widowed King Trident rules his family with the same firm hand that he rules his kingdom with, except for his youngest daughter, rebellious Ariel. Although she constantly breaks with convention and family rules, her charisma and musical talent make her the clear family favorite. Despite his many indulgences of Ariel, however, he holds firm to one sacred rule; that none of his daughters may swim to the ocean’s surface, where they could be spotted by humans. In typical angsty teen fashion, she proceeds to not only break this cardinal rule, but to test her father even further by interacting with humans and collecting as many man-made items as she can find. While his anger at discovering his daughter’s secret treasure trove is justified, King Trident’s reaction is not. Rather than explaining why his rules are in her best interests, he instead launches into a bigoted tirade about the inherent evil of all humanity. When she attempts to argue, he responds with a violent outburst that culminates in his destroying her beloved collection in its entirety. It is only after Ariel runs away and seeks help from his arch-enemy, Ursula, that he finally realizes that his overbearing efforts to protect his daughter only served to drive her away from him. It is this realization that allows him to reflect upon his ruling and parenting methods and admit that his actions and reactions are every bit as important as the intentions behind them. When he finally locates his missing daughter he puts aside their differences and risks his life and kingdom in order to ensure her safe return. He faces his ultimate test, however, only after Ariel has returned home and he is dismayed to find that she despondently continues to long for the surface world. He then makes the choice to put her happiness above his own and permanently transforms her into a human. By returning her to human form King Trident not only allows Ariel to return to her beloved Prince Eric, but more importantly provides her with the freedom to choose her own path and find her own happiness. While Ariel may have traded in her tail for legs, it is her father who undergoes the film’s greatest and most satisfying transformation as he evolves from iron fisted ruler to open minded father and leader.