Rating of
3.5/4
Not a perfect film, but still great
Mr. Storm - wrote on 01/14/08
Life is hard for those coming to America from another country. I think those false balloons of hope of America's riches have basically been popped many a year ago, as the world's mental borders close in on each other and the hidden secrets are more visible. The Ganguli family, as portrayed in this fine film, has no aspirations coming to America. The head of the household, Ashoke (as played by Irfan Khan), was involved in a train accident many years ago in India which changes the outlook of his life, marries a young woman named Ashima (Tabu), and raises his family in a small apartment in New York. The "American Dream" is never mentioned, because they are too busy living the "American Life".
The major component of this story is one of evolution. Every character in this film grows with the passing years, especially the Ganguli's son, Gogol (Kal Penn). This young man is as Western as they come, and his initial refusal of his parent's customs (as well as his given name) serves as the backbone to this story. Kal Penn does an admirable job, although a much more refined actor would have done many wonders with this role, as it requires a range of emotions and body language that the young actor cannot handle. It is not an indictment on his work, just an observation, as his performance truly was the weakest amongst the main cast. His story in the film encompasses the realization that being different is not always the best course of action. I don't want to gve too much away, but a major event happens in the Ganguli's life that requires Gogol to face the reality that, though he is an American, your roots to your culture are never truly broken and responsibility must take the lead.
In the relationship of Ashoke and Ashima, we are seeing as if through a window into a love that is not traditional for Americans. At one point in the film, Ashima asks Ashoke, "Do you want me to say 'I love you' like the Americans?" It was an ironic moment that two people who care for each other so much need not have that communication of Western couples. It is this relationship that supplies the hope of this family, although in a subtle manner. Regardless if Gogol or their daughter, Sonia, keep in contact or not, they know they still have each other. When the aforementioned event happens in the film, it completely changes that dynamic. Both Irfan Khan and Tabu give excellent performances, that enhance the pacing of this film. Tabu, in particular, gives one of the strongest performances of the year and one that should be considered come awards season.
Mira Nair, director of Monsoon Wedding and Mississippi Masala, has constructed an excellent film of the novel by Jhumpa Lahiri. Nair's work is consistently of high value and this film certainly follows in that same direction. She has gotten a plethora of emotions from her cast that is not easy to get by all directors and the pacing she has set was near-perfect for this film.
This is not a perfect film, as Gogol's many dramas get to be too much for the story towards the end, but it is near-perfect in its execution as a story about family, responsibilty, and ultimately, about sacrifice.
