What's in a Name
What's in a Name Review: Story, Cast, Rating & Final Verdict
Last updated: May 8, 2026
Movie Overview: What's in a Name
| Movie | What's in a Name |
| Release Year | 2012 |
| Director | Alexandre de La Patellière |
| Genre | Comedy |
| Runtime | 109 minutes (1h 49m) |
| Language | FR |
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is What's in a Name (2012) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a HIT with a verified audience rating of 7.3/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Comedy.
Cast & Character Study
The performances in What's in a Name are led by Patrick Bruel . The supporting cast, including Valérie Benguigui and Charles Berling , provides the necessary layers to the central narrative.
movieMx Verdict: Is it Worth Your Time?
What Works in the Movie
What's in a Name stands out as a strong entry in the Comedy genre. The film benefits from engaging storytelling, memorable performances, and solid production values that help keep viewers invested.
- Compelling performances from the main cast
- Strong visual storytelling and direction
- Well-structured Comedy narrative
- Satisfying emotional or dramatic payoff
What Doesn't Work
Despite its strengths, What's in a Name has a few issues that may affect the overall viewing experience, particularly in terms of pacing and narrative consistency.
- Uneven pacing in certain parts of the film
- Some predictable plot developments
- May not appeal to audiences outside the Comedy fanbase
Story & Plot Summary: What's in a Name
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 2012, What's in a Name is a Comedy film directed by Alexandre de La Patellière, written by Matthieu Delaporte. The narrative brings laughter through sharp writing and comedic timing, providing amusement while touching on deeper societal themes. It provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Patrick Bruel as Vincent.
Story Breakdown
The comedic structure relies on both situational humor and character-based comedy. 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... The production finds humor in relatable situations while maintaining narrative momentum. The jokes serve the story, with callbacks that reward attentive viewers.
Narrative Structure
- Opening Hook: What's in a Name's opening establishes the comedic tone through Patrick Bruel as Vincent's interactions, introducing the central conflict with humor and character quirks that Alexandre de La Patellière layers throughout.
- Character Arc: The main character shows growth throughout the story, though some supporting characters could have been more fully realized. Patrick Bruel's arc is present but occasionally predictable.
- Climax & Resolution: The comedic climax ties together the recurring threads, with Patrick Bruel's storyline wrapping up predictably but entertainingly.
Ending Explained: What's in a Name
What's in a Name Ending Explained: Directed by Alexandre de La Patellière, What's in a Name resolves its central conflicts in a coherent and engaging way. The ending highlights the core comedy themes developed throughout the film.
The conclusion reflects the central themes explored throughout the narrative, particularly in scenes involving Patrick Bruel. The interpretation of the ending may vary among viewers.
Key Elements of the Ending
- Narrative Resolution: The main storyline reaches a clear conclusion.
- Character Development: The central characters complete meaningful arcs.
- Thematic Message: The ending reinforces the comedy themes introduced earlier in the film.
The final moments of What's in a Name reflect the creative choices of the filmmakers and align with the tone of the narrative.
Who Should Watch What's in a Name?
Age Advisory: Rated Not Rated.
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Comedy films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of Patrick Bruel or the director
- Want some laughs and light entertainment
Where to Watch What's in a Name Online?
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Amazon VideoApple TV StoreGoogle Play MoviesYouTubeWhat's in a Name Parents Guide & Age Rating
2012 AdvisoryWondering about What's in a Name age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of What's in a Name (2012) is 109 minutes (1h 49m). Directed by Alexandre de La Patellière, the film runs for 109 minutes in its complete theatrical version.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 7.3/10, and global performance metrics, What's in a Name is classified as a HIT. It remains an essential part of the 2012 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is What's in a Name worth watching?
What's in a Name is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Comedy movies. It has a verified rating of 7.3/10 and stands as a HIT in our box office analysis.
Where can I find What's in a Name parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for What's in a Name identifies it as Not Rated. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the runtime of What's in a Name (2012)?
The runtime of What's in a Name (2012) is 109 minutes (approximately 1h 49m).
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
