What's in a Name (2012)
"Le prénom" (original title)

Vincent is about to become a father. At a meeting with childhood friends he announces the name for his future son. The scandalous name ignites a discussion which surfaces unpleasant matters from the past of the group.

Directors:

Alexandre de La Patellière, Matthieu Delaporte

Writers:

Matthieu Delaporte (original play), Matthieu Delaporte (screenplay),

Stars:

Patrick Bruel, Valérie Benguigui, Charles Berling

2 wins & 3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview:
Patrick Bruel	...	Vincent
Valérie Benguigui	...	Élisabeth
Charles Berling	...	Pierre
Guillaume de Tonquedec	...	Claude
Judith El Zein	...	Anna
Françoise Fabian	...	Françoise
Yaniss Lespert	...	Livreur pizza
Miren Pradier	...	Infirmière bracelet
Alexis Leprise	...	Apollin
Juliette Levant	...	Myrtille
Bernard Murat	...	L'obstétricien

Storyline

Vincent is about to become a father. At a meeting with childhood friends he announces the name for his future son. The scandalous name ignites a discussion which surfaces unpleasant matters from the past of the group.

---

Plot Keywords:

name | bad joke | dialogue driven | name change | homophobic slur | 

---

Genres:

Comedy

---

Details

Official Sites:

Official site [France]

Country:

France Belgium

Language:

French

Release Date:

25 April 2012 (France)

Also Known As:

El nombre

Filming Locations:

Paris, France

Company Credits

Production Co:

Chapter 2, Pathé, TF1 Films Production

Technical Specs

Runtime:

109 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The film is adapted from the play written by both directors, created in Paris in 2010 (théâtre Edouard-VII) staged by Bernard Murat, and sharing the exact same cast.

User Reviews

Good

Mix of Un Air de Famille by Klapisch and Carnage by Polanski, Le Prénom is clearly divided in two parts: the first is pure comedy oriented, whereas the second is more drama focused.

The problem is that those two parts aren't homogeneous: the beginning is very good, dynamic, the dialogues fly, the humour is really present and the viewer is quickly sucked in. Unfortunately, the more the film progresses, the more the comical aspect is left aside, and the more the movie loses interest. The script goes thought bland and uninteresting passages, and we are served a dramatic aspect that isn't the most exciting one, which is disappointing in comparison to the thundering start.

A fifteen minute cut, mostly from the second part, could have also improved the overall rhythm of the movie.

Special mention to the cast who was very good and showed a great chemistry.