Le prenom (2012)

Directed by: Alexandre de La Patelliere, Matthieu Delaporte | 109 minutes | comedy | Actors: Patrick Bruel, Valérie Benguigui, Charles Berling, Guillaume de Tonquedec, Judith El Zein, Françoise Fabian, Yaniss Lespert, Miren Pradier, Alexis Leprise, Juliette Levant, Bernard Murat

It is a well-tried stage recipe: a festive gathering of friends or family in which the atmosphere changes as the evening progresses and the drink flows more freely. Accumulated frustrations are revealed, secrets are confessed and relationships slide swearing and raving to the edge of the abyss. Oddly enough, this premise can be a recipe for both comedy and tragedy. Or something in between.

The film ‘Le prénom’, based on this recipe, clearly opts for comedy. Brother Vincent and sister Elisabeth come for dinner with their partners Anne and Pierre and old friend Claude. What begins with a discussion about the first name of Vincent’s future child, degenerates over time into a torrent of reproaches, accusations and shocking confessions.

‘Le prénom’ is based on the play of the same name by directors Delaporte and De la Patelièrre. It is not surprising that this play is a great international success after seeing the film adaptation. ‘Le prénom’ is a barrage of clever and witty dialogues, about contaminated first names, the price of pizzas and the unintentional drowning of a dog, interspersed with sighs and curses at his French. Intonation, facial expression and timing do the rest.

‘Le prénom’ has a great ensemble of actors, which turns every character into a credible individual. All the more clever when you consider that the characters are all derived from stereotypes: left-wing intellectual, artist, career woman, highly educated house slave and materialistic playboy. With acting cannons like Patrick Bruel, Valérie Benquiqui and Charles Berling, this stereotyping is hardly noticeable. What is also not noticeable is that the play was more or less filmed as a play. Only at the beginning are some flashbacks built in, accompanied by a voice over that pushes the concept of talking to unprecedented heights.

Underneath all the gaiety is, of course, a message hidden about the power of family ties and friendships. Nor can we avoid a single serious note and a single sentimental moment. But above all, ‘Le prénom’ is a smooth, catchy and unmistakably French comedy. Not trendy, not old-fashioned, but timeless entertainment. This film immediately proves that a tried and tested recipe can still lead to a delicious meal. As long as the right staff is in the kitchen.