Movie recommendation: "What's In a Name?"

For whatever reason, I've been on a foreign film kick of late, and thought I'd recommend yet another to my readers. It's a French film by the name of What's In a Name?, where a dinner party goes from calm and friendly to angry and chaotic over a guest's idea for a baby name - Adolphe. This guest and one of the host's then heatedly debate on whether or not any child should be subjected to such a name due to Adolf Hitler. This dramedy's dialogue takes several twists and turns through it's nearly two hours, often sharp and funny, yet this exchange is at the core of what the film's about, and it got me to thinking (yes, scary thought, I know). I hate to play off the film's title, but seriously, "What's In a Name?"

Now, would I ever name or think about naming my child Adolf/Adolphe? No. But why is that? Have I been programmed to believe all things affiliated with that name are evil because of one man, and is this right/fair? What about Ben(ito Mussolini)? Joseph (Stalin)? Saddam (Hussein)? Osama (bin Laden)? Sure, Saddam and Osama are highly unusual names in my country, but Ben and Joe are quite common, so why must the name Adolf be off limits, but not Ben or Joe? Then, while it may not hold equal weight among citizens at large, is it also not common to reject a person based on their name and a taste-aversion to that name due to a negative experience from one's past? When a couple is deciding on their coming baby's name, I'll often hear the following conversation (or something like it):

Husband: "How about Tony?"

Wife: "No! I had this really bad date one time with a guy by the name of Tony. It was a blind date and his first line to me was, 'Nice dress. I bet you $50 I'll see you out of it by the end of this date.'"

Husband: "Wow, really?!? So did he?"

Wife: "Did he what?"

Husband: "See you out of your dress by the end of the date?"

Wife: "God, no! What kind of person do you think I am?"

Husband: "Okay, sorry, sorry. Do you have any ideas?"

Wife: "What about Jeff?"

Husband: "No way!"

Wife: "Why not?"

Husband: "I once knew a guy who had a crazy uncle named Jeff. I met him once and had to see a shrink for a couple years after that."

Wife: "What happened?"

Husband: "I don't wanna talk about it. How about the name Ronald?"

Wife: "Like creepy Ronald McDonald? No! What about George?"

Husband: "You mean, like the Bush's? Should we call him Dubya?"

Wife: "Ugh! We're never going to find a name we both like!"

Husband: "I know! So, nice dress. I bet you $50 I'll see you out of it by the end of the date."

Wife: "Yeah, dream on, buddy. I'm going to head out and drink with my buddy, Jeff."


All kidding aside, though, I find it quite fascinating how much power we often give to names, the negative connotations we may see in some of them, and how they may influence our future decisions. If you like thoughtful dialogue, dry humor, and foreign cinema, I'd definitely check out What's In a Name? If curious, you can find more information about it here:

https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/whats_in_a_name_2013/