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The Namesake

(2007, Rated PG-13, Drama, Starring Kal Penn, Jacinda Barrett, Irfan Khan)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 12, age appropriate for kids over 14; suggested age 14.

  • Is it any good?

    5.0

  • Common Sense says

    Fabulous immigrant-family saga to see with teens.

Themes in this movie include:   family relationships, growing up
updated 09.25.09

Why We Rated This on for Ages 14 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    A Bengali man born in the United States learns that the meaning of his name is a path to understanding his parents and his heritage.

  • Role models:

    One episode of discrimination angers Gogol, but his father reminds him to look past the incident. Indian parents praise the United States for providing better opportunities for their children.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    It's not "violence" per se, but a scene depicting the aftermath of a deadly train accident includes bloody dead bodies. A character shrieks in grief on two separate occasions.

  • Sex:

    Partial nudity -- Gogol and his girlfriend undress in front of each other (his bare chest and her entire backside are visible). In another love scene, Gogol and his girlfriend fool around and are shown in bed, but there's no nudity. Gogol and his wife, both robed, dance Bollywood-style and then tumble onto their bed. Ashoke and Ashima make love semi-clothed. A character discusses her many lovers.

  • Language:

    "S--t," "ass," etc.

  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Gogol smokes a joint at his high-school graduation and drinks socially on several occasions. A few characters smoke cigarettes.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About The Namesake

Parents need to know that this mature drama about two generations of a Bengali family living in New York is a great movie to watch with your teens. Like most immigrant narratives, the story includes deaths, births, marriages, break-ups, and other important milestones that mark a family's history. A son's disinterest in his Indian culture -- and his unusual name, Gogol -- is the central theme of the film. Like most immigrant children, he and his sister sometimes ridicule and resent their parents' traditions. The mature subject matter includes arranged marriage, adultery, discrimination, cultural differences, parental deaths, and -- most important -- self-identity. A brief scene shows the victims of a train crash, and there are a few passionate love scenes.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the movie's themes of immigration and identity. If your family is from another country, discuss what makes your cultural heritage distinct.
  • Kids: Do you feel like Gogol and Sonia when it comes to your customs? And if you aren't from another country, what parts of the relationship between parents and kids are universal?
  • Families can also discuss how the media treat other cultures -- and immigrants -- in general. Do some groups get treated differently than others? Why?
Tools and tips that can help

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Adult Reviewer
    Philly30
    Lives in Pennsylvania
    I rate this title on for age 12 and give it 4.0

    Amazing Beautiful Movie

    The movie was just amazing. Beautifully filmed. Great acting. Your whole family will love it.

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate
  2. Adult Reviewer
    Philly30
    Lives in Pennsylvania
    I rate this title on for age 10 and give it 4.0

    Amazing Beautiful Movie

    The movie was just amazing. Beautifully filmed. Great acting. Your whole family will love it.

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate

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