• 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.

Why We Rated This 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. 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

Families Can Talk About