What's in a Name? (2012 film)
| Company type | Film |
|---|---|
| Industry | Film industry |
| Founded | 2012 |
Area served | France, Belgium |
Key people | Alexandre de La Patellière, Matthieu Delaporte (writers and directors) |
| Products | Comedy film |
What’s in a Name? (original French title: Le Prénom) is a 2012 comedy film from France and Belgium, both written and directed by Alexandre de La Patellière and Matthieu Delaporte. The movie is an adaptation of their own theatrical play Le Prénom and achieved significant commercial success in France, attracting over 3.3 million cinema-goers.
Plot
Vincent, a thriving real estate professional expecting a child, gathers for dinner with his sister Elisabeth, her spouse Pierre, and their longtime friend Claude, who plays trombone in the Radio France orchestra. Vincent’s wife Anna is held up due to a work engagement.
During the evening, Vincent ignites controversy by humorously suggesting the name Adolphe for his unborn son, which triggers a fierce debate with Pierre regarding the name’s historical connection to Adolf Hitler. This confrontation reveals deeper personal flaws: Vincent’s vanity and duplicity, Pierre’s elitism and stinginess, and Claude’s effeminacy along with jokes about his last name. Elisabeth remains intent on meal preparations but grows increasingly annoyed by the men’s behavior. The arrival of Anna escalates the discord.
Post-dinner, truths come to light: Claude expresses frustration over stereotypes about his sexuality and discloses he is romantically involved with a woman—later revealed as Francoise, the mother of Vincent and Elisabeth. This revelation shocks everyone and results in Vincent physically assaulting Claude. Elisabeth voices long-suppressed grievances toward her husband, brother, and friend, emphasizing the sacrifices she has made for Pierre and her dissatisfaction with their parenting dynamics.
Anna conveys her disappointment in Vincent’s childishness and warns of divorce unless he changes, before departing with Claude to visit Francoise. Elisabeth delegates household responsibilities to Pierre amid lingering tensions. Subsequently, Pierre and Vincent share a quiet moment attempting to reconcile.
Four months later, the group visits Vincent and Anna at the hospital to welcome their newborn daughter, whom they have named Francoise.
Cast
- Patrick Bruel as Vincent
- Valérie Benguigui as Élisabeth
- Charles Berling as Pierre
- Guillaume de Tonquédec as Claude
- Judith El Zein as Anna
- Françoise Fabian as Francoise
Awards
At the 38th César Awards, the film garnered five nominations and won Best Supporting Actress (Valérie Benguigui) along with Best Supporting Actor (Guillaume de Tonquédec).
Additionally, it received two accolades at Canadian festivals: the Grand Prix Hydro-Québec at the Abitibi-Témiscamingue International Film Festival and the Radio Canada Audience Award at Toronto’s Cinéfranco International Francophone Film Festival.
Remakes
The source play was transformed into an Italian film titled Il nome del Figlio, directed by Francesca Archibugi and Francesco Piccolo, which premiered on 22 January 2015.
A German version called Der Vorname debuted on 19 October 2018, followed by two sequels: Der Nachname (2022) and Der Spitzname (2024).