What's in a Name? (2012)

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, Alexandre de La Patellière

Stars:

Patrick Bruel, Valérie Benguigui, Charles Berling

2 wins & 3 nominations.

Cast

Credited cast:
Patrick Bruel	...	Vincent
Valérie Benguigui	...	Élisabeth
Charles Berling	...	Pierre
Guillaume de Tonquédec	...	Claude (as Guillaume de Tonquedec)
Judith El Zein	...	Anna
Françoise Fabian	...	Françoise
Yaniss Lespert	...	Livreur pizza
Miren Pradier	...	Infirmière bracelet
Alexis Leprisé	...	Apollin (as Alexis Leprise)
Juliette Levant	...	Myrtille
Bernard Murat	...	L'obstétricien
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Fanny Thiennot	...	Student

Storyline

A father-to-be and his very pregnant wife are invited for dinner by his sister and his brother-in-law. The setting is an upper-middle-class apartment in Paris. When the expecting parents reveal they intend to name their son "Adolphe", everyone else at the dinner is speechless. The situation eventually gets out of hand, when no one can come to an understanding, and everyone starts unearthing old rivalries and unspoken issues.

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Plot Keywords:

name | baby name | giving birth | birth | first person narration | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Official Sites:

Official site [France]

Country:

France Belgium

Language:

French

Release Date:

13 December 2013 (USA)

Also Known As:

What's in a Name?

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 end credits are designed like a family scrapbook and show many of the cast and crew members on vintage private photos.

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Goofs

(at around 40 mins) Claude turns down the volume of the stereo, but he is turning on the wrong wheel - it's not the amplifier but the cassette recorder.

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Crazy Credits

In the opening credits only the first names of the actors, producers, directors... are written.

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Connections

Remade as Der Vorname (2018)

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Soundtracks

Vanina
(French version of "Runaway")
Written by Del Shannon and Max Crook, French lyrics by Patrick Loiseau

User Reviews

Classic French Cleverness

Arguing is instilled in French culture. The French practice arguing to keep their minds sharp (perhaps something lacking in our culture). Cultural relativism is not apparent in other reviews that criticize and find the the amount of arguing in the film "boring." The film is quite captivating. Classic French cleverness is very present in the script. The characters present a wonderful view into the lives of Parisians and their commitment to great wine, food and conversation. The idea of titles and the strange taboos society has on names is the deeper argument for all the audience to ponder once the film has finished. The actors in the film keep the audience engaged with a handful of stories and perspectives on family life.