Grade: B+

Beautiful movie directed by one of my favorite directors, Mira Nair.  The story follows a young man from India, who moves to the U.S. with his new wife to start a new life. They have a son, Gogol, named after the man’s favorite author, and then a daughter, Sonia.  The children grow up as Americans, and must learn to reconcile their Indian culture and heritage with their very western environment. “The Namesake” is really Gogol’s story, how he learns and grows and changes from the experiences in his life, how his father influenced him, and how he forges a life for himself that brings together all of the elements that make up the man he has become.  The characters are all richly drawn, the location scenes are incredible.  I cried when the family visited The Taj Mahal.  Wonderful movie, definitely worth seeing.