The Speech on France 4: Benjamin Lavernhe faces the family dinner

The Speech, a comedy directed by Laurent Tirard and adapted from the novel by Fabrice Caro, aka Fabcaro, traps Benjamin Lavernhe at a family dinner while his mind wanders. Around him, Sara Giraudeau, Julia Piaton, Kyan Khojandi, François Morel and Guilaine Londez make up the circle that fuels his anxiety.

Adrien turns up at a family dinner while desperately waiting for a reply from Sonia, his partner who has asked for a break in their relationship. His future brother-in-law reveals that he’s counting on him to deliver a speech at his wedding to Sophie, Adrien’s sister.

The narrative dives into the character's thoughts, torn between waiting for a message, lingering memories, and the different versions of the speech he could deliver. His inner monologues regularly interrupt the meal, exposing everything he dares not say in front of his family.

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Laurent Tirard, director of Little Nicholas and of Return of the Hero, brings to the screen the inner monologue imagined by Fabcaro. Benjamin Lavernhe carries this device by addressing the audience directly, while the dinner continues around him.

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