What's in a Name

"A child is the beginning of happiness. A name is the beginning of despair."

2012 1h 50m FR

👍

7.3

SOLID

★7.3TMDB · 1,827

Comedy

Synopsis

Spoiler shield

Vincent, a wealthy real estate agent, is invited to dinner by his sister Elizabeth and her husband Peter, both professors in Paris. Claude, a childhood friend and trombonist in a symphony orchestra, is also present. Vincent brings news from the prenatal examination of his and his wife Anna's unborn son. The name chosen by the soon-to-be parents strongly offends the others for many reasons. The dispute between the guests quickly escalates and before long the resurgence of old grudges and hidden secrets is unavoidable...

“A child is the beginning of happiness. A name is the beginning of despair.”

WhatsApp X Facebook Telegram

Where to watch · US

OVIDSubscription

Amazon VideoRent

Apple TV StoreRent

Google Play MoviesRent

YouTubeRent

Amazon VideoBuy

Apple TV StoreBuy

Google Play MoviesBuy

YouTubeBuy

Cast

Patrick Bruel
Vincent
Valérie Benguigui
Élisabeth
Charles Berling
Pierre
Guillaume de Tonquédec
Claude
Judith El Zein
Anna
Françoise Fabian
Françoise
Yaniss Lespert
Livreur pizza
Miren Pradier
Infirmière bracelet

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Alexandre de La Patellière
Writers: Matthieu Delaporte, Alexandre de La Patellière
Languages: French
Countries: France, Belgium

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 8

ERA

Did you know

Released 14 years ago.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 8

WORLD

Did you know

International production across 2 countries: France, Belgium.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Directed by Alexandre de La Patellière, shot by David Ungaro. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Original score by Jérôme Rebotier. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor Célia Lafitedupont shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 8

CAST

Did you know

Patrick Bruel and Valérie Benguigui and Charles Berling carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 8

FACT

Did you know

Marketing tagline: "A child is the beginning of happiness. A name is the beginning of despair.".

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

8 / 8

WILD

Did you know

IMDB entry: tt2179121 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

MoodPlayr · trivia#08

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Alexandre de La Patellière directs. David Ungaro behind the camera. Jérôme Rebotier scores. Célia Lafitedupont cuts. Produced in France, Belgium. Dialogue in French.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

1Released 14 years ago.
2International production across 2 countries: France, Belgium.
3Directed by Alexandre de La Patellière, shot by David Ungaro. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
4Original score by Jérôme Rebotier. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
5Editor Célia Lafitedupont shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
6Patrick Bruel and Valérie Benguigui and Charles Berling carry the top of the cast.
7Marketing tagline: "A child is the beginning of happiness. A name is the beginning of despair.".
8IMDB entry: tt2179121 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.