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IMDbPro

Speech & Debate

  • 2017
  • PG-13
  • 1h 45m
IMDb RATING
5.9/10
1.5K
YOUR RATING
Liam James, Sarah Steele, and Austin P. McKenzie in Speech & Debate (2017)
Trailer for Speech & Debate
Play trailer2:32
3 Videos
57 Photos
ComedyDrama

Frustrated by the hypocrisy they see in their parents, teachers, and the entire school board, an unlikely trio set out to find a common truth and make their voices heard as they revive a def... Read allFrustrated by the hypocrisy they see in their parents, teachers, and the entire school board, an unlikely trio set out to find a common truth and make their voices heard as they revive a defunct school club and take on the world.Frustrated by the hypocrisy they see in their parents, teachers, and the entire school board, an unlikely trio set out to find a common truth and make their voices heard as they revive a defunct school club and take on the world.

  • Director
    • Dan Harris
  • Writer
    • Stephen Karam
  • Stars
    • Jeremy Rowley
    • Jerry Leggio
    • Wendi McLendon-Covey
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    5.9/10
    1.5K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Dan Harris
    • Writer
      • Stephen Karam
    • Stars
      • Jeremy Rowley
      • Jerry Leggio
      • Wendi McLendon-Covey
    • 21User reviews
    • 5Critic reviews
    • 46Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Videos3

    Speech & Debate
    Trailer 2:32
    Speech & Debate
    Speech & Debate
    Clip 2:52
    Speech & Debate
    Speech & Debate
    Clip 2:52
    Speech & Debate
    Speech & Debate: School Board Meeting
    Clip 2:52
    Speech & Debate: School Board Meeting

    Photos56

    View Poster
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    + 53
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    Top cast57

    Edit
    Jeremy Rowley
    Jeremy Rowley
    • Gary Crenshaw
    Jerry Leggio
    Jerry Leggio
    • Ted Burns
    Wendi McLendon-Covey
    Wendi McLendon-Covey
    • Joan Hawthrone
    Roger Bart
    Roger Bart
    • Principal Bellingham
    Janeane Garofalo
    Janeane Garofalo
    • Marie Jones
    Kal Penn
    Kal Penn
    • James Merrick
    Kimberly Williams-Paisley
    Kimberly Williams-Paisley
    • Susan Merrick
    Liam James
    Liam James
    • Solomon Merrick
    Austin P. McKenzie
    Austin P. McKenzie
    • Howie Hawthorne
    • (as Austin McKenzie)
    Sarah Steele
    Sarah Steele
    • Diwata Jones
    Skylar Astin
    Skylar Astin
    • Walter Healy
    Sarah Baker
    Sarah Baker
    • Miss Riggi
    Robert Peters
    Robert Peters
    • Coach Pemberton
    Cristina Franco
    Cristina Franco
    • Oksana Poluski
    Anna Margaret
    Anna Margaret
    • Casey Thronburn
    Edgar Arreola
    Edgar Arreola
    • Arnett
    Sara Thomas Easley
    • Shy Auditioner
    Spencer Liff
    Spencer Liff
    • Choreographer
    • Director
      • Dan Harris
    • Writer
      • Stephen Karam
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews21

    5.91.4K
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    Featured reviews

    8lillypoplisa

    Fun movie!! :D

    I really enjoyed this movie!! :D It was only rated one and a half stars for me on Netflix but I don't know why because it was totally my kind of movie!! The only reason that I've rated it 8/10 stars on here is because it lacked the romance that it made me expect :D It's a really fun filled movie though - especially if you enjoy songs about crap sandwiches :'D
    9RosanaBotafogo

    A delightful, uncompromising film that raises a beautiful flag....

    It was so cult, until it turned into a slapstick, teenagers falling drunk and drugged into swindling, it misrepresented what would be a light and fun film about smart young liberals and militating for sexual freedom, single mothers and the like, the speech & debate he almost got lost... But he recovered brilliantly, that final musical, saved him, it was what I expected from these young "troublemakers" and reactionaries... A delightful, uncompromising film that raises a beautiful flag....
    Gordon-11

    An enjoyable portrayal of teenage life

    This film tells the story of three teenagers in high school, who try to fit in and to find themselves in a conservative town where their voices are not heard by adults. They choose to form a speech and debate club to make their voices heard.

    "Speech & Debate" is a good teenage film, that convincingly tells realistic teenage troubles. People can easily relate to the topics shown in the film, such as school censorship, bullying and general social awkwardness during teenage years. The girl, Diwata, seems not a nice person to start with, but she is in fact confident, assertive, supportive and caring. I like the three teenagers in the film, and I like the positivity on the story. I enjoyed it.
    8yusufpiskin

    Thinking about: Liam James

    Nerds, come get your jush!!!!!! High school is such a strange institution where adults are responsible for nurturing your dreams and yet gatekeep them infuriatingly. This trio of an awkward journalism guy, a bone-deep theatre kid, and a newcomer queer are told NOPE at every turn but they never stop never stopping!!!!! If you were any of those things yourself in high school, you gotta watch this. It pokes at your soul and reminds you to keep dancing until your dreams materialize. The dialogue is witty, the comedy is sharp, and Kal Penn wears a suit! It's a big fat slice of nerd life and they just get know-it-all high school extracurricular culture so so right.

    Don't get me started on the cameos. I have no idea how this movie gave us Lin-Manuel Miranda on a VHS dressed as a genie and didn't get more attention. That's like gotta be lifted from a fanfic somewhere. And that wasn't even my favorite cameo!

    (End of movie spoiler) Kristin mfing Chenoweth laid down a track for this!!!!!!!! Nurse!!!!!!!!!!!!
    7casperenkelaar

    Low ratings are unfair

    I see people who gave it a low rating because it isn't representative of real speech and debate clubs. That's true but the movie is about totally different themes. It's about adults refusing to acknowledge real issues and ignoring teens who are literally shouting to be heard. I think the movie did a great job at portraying this. I think the characters are fun and loveable as well.

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Sarah Steele also played the character Diwata in the Off-Broadway play the movie is based upon.
    • Goofs
      At 23:07 in the movie, Solomon looks up Diwatas youtube channel. As the page loads, he's marked as subscribed to her channel, and in the next, while looking at a video, he is marked as not subscribed.
    • Soundtracks
      Crap Sandwich
      Written by Stephen Karam

      Performed by Sarah Steele

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    FAQ

    • How long is Speech & Debate?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • April 7, 2017 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Discurso y debate
    • Filming locations
      • Jackson, Mississippi, USA
    • Production company
      • Sycamore Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 45 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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