What's in a Name? (2012)

Original Title

Le Prénom

Genre

Comedy | Drama

Directors

Alexandre de La Patellière | Matthieu Delaporte

Country

France | Belgium

Cast

Patrick Bruel, Valérie Benguigui, Charles Berling, Guillaume de Tonquédec, Judith El Zein, Françoise Fabian, Yaniss Lespert, Miren Pradier, Alexis Leprise, Juliette Levant, Bernard Murat

Plot

Father-to-be Vincent (Patrick Bruel) is invited for dinner by his sister Élisabeth (Valérie Benguigui) and his brother-in-law Pierre (Charles Berling). When he announces the scandalous name for his future son, the hosts objects to that, and the situation eventually gets out of hand.

Opinion

Being a big fan of French films, I couldn't help but love this one. What's in a Name? is a wonderful and hilarious comedy/drama.

The film, entirely set in a upper-middle class Parisian living room, is semi-realistic, and neither vulgar nor banal. The first hilarious part is followed by a more dramatic second part, which is still enjoyable.

The brilliant script, the delightful and sharp dialogue and the continuous twists help the viewer not to feel bored.

However, the most important role is played by the actors: they did a fantastic job and the chemistry between the five of them is remarkable. Guillaume de Tonquédec is the one who impressed me the most, considering he has convinced everybody - audience included - he is gay.

Quotes

Pierre: What's first? Cheval Blanch or Fontaines de Provence?

Vincent: To drink or wash our hands?

Rating

8.0/10