THE NAMESAKE

THE NAMESAKE is the story of a young man born in 1980's NYC to immigrant parents from India. His parents give this young man the name Gogol Ganguli...a name that certainly doesn't his attempt to grow up as a "regular" NY kid any easier. THE NAMESAKE is an extremely well made movie, and completely engrossing. If you let yourself be patient through the initially slow, but critically important first thirty minutes you'll be rewarded with a family drama that keeps you engaged to the very end. Speaking of "the end"...that's another of the film's strengths. In addition to delivering unforeseen and unexpectedplot twists (much like real life), the film also doesn't have a neatly wrapped up ending (nor does life). Kal Penn (who most will recognize as Kumar during his late night escapades to White Castle) plays the lead character with magnetic flare. This is an underrated movie that's well worth a rental. 3 1/2 of 5 hs