Le prénom

Usually not a big fan of french movies, but this one was surprisingly good. It didn't bore for a single second and yes, there was sharp dialog (even in dubbed version) but it was funny and not to the point where one had to cover one's ears. And another plus, unlike Carnage, it did not feature a puking which was a major bonus points earner. I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it and think the actors did a great job. They felt real enough that this could have actually happened at a dinner party back at my own home. It also had a nice twist that I didn't see coming and don 't want to spoil for anyone. Just this much, things are not always what they seem to be. Yep, that about covers it.

A well worthy ticket for an enjoyable popcorn movie night. (8/10)

I highly enjoyed Le Prénom. The dialogs are so dinamic, with such a fluidity and the perfomances are sublime.

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.

'Le prenom' translated in English in the Shakespearean 'What's in a Name' is even more than an adaptation, it is almost filmed theater. Excepting the introduction which is funny but has little to do with the film and the final few minutes which could have been much better all the play ... sorry ... the film takes place in a Parisian apartment where five characters mid-class, mid-age meet for dinner and live the crisis of their lives triggered by a practical joke one of them makes related to the name of his baby-to-come. As in Polanski's 'Carnage' which brought to screen a play by Yasmina Reza, the border between theater and film is never really crossed. Actually this film/play is so close to Reza's style that I would have been fooled easily if they told me it's written by her.

Alexandre de la Patelliere and Mathieu Delaporte brought to screen Delaporte's play and it looks like they do not have any other ambition than bringing to broader audiences the same story of good friends discovering unknown truths and hidden aspects of each other's personalities. Every ten minutes or so we do have a new revelation, each one about another of the characters involved which will put at try family relations and friendships forged decades back, in childhood. There are no social comments of actuality and no political sub-tones if we exclude some references to the left vs. conservative stereotypes, and probably the most significant (and funniest) reference is made to political correctness, related to the selection of the name of the baby boy, but it is consumed unfortunately in the first third of the movie. However, this may play eventually in the favor of the text, keeping it timeless and helping it stay actual even if read and played many years or decades from now.

At the end of the day viewing 'Le prenom' is an enjoyable experience and this is due to the well written dialog (it's a filmed play, but a good one) and to the excellent acting. I especially liked the pair of brother and sister (Patrick Bruel and Valerie Benguigi) who succeed both to bring real-life nuances to their characters, supplementary to the complexity and wit which is derived from the text. Do not avoid 'Le prenom' if it comes soon on a screen or a stage close to your place.

"What's in a Name" is a story with an amazingly simple plot...yet it works exceptionally well. The writing, acting and directing are spot on...and make this a French film well worth seeking.

The film is set almost entirely in an apartment and you can easily see that this was once a play. In this apartment, a group of friends and family get together and the evening goes normally enough...to a point. However, when one of the friends makes a stupid joke, the climate in the room becomes quite chilly. Then, soon after, folks start saying things they've never said before...and the room practically becomes the next ice age! While some will undoubtedly see this as a comedy, instead I see it as a very well constructed drama...one that really sucked me into the story. Well made and unique.