Overview
A free-spirited woman uses unconventional methods to change the minds of her political adversaries, but her own beliefs are challenged when she meets a man who defies her expectations.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- None
- witty
- irreverent
- provocative
- date night
- french film night
What critics said
Critics generally found the film charming and intelligently provocative, praising its performances and political-romantic energy while noting some unevenness.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Bahia approaches romance as an extension of activism, targeting politically conservative men and attempting to convert them.
Bahia assumes Arthur's name signals fascist sympathies, while the film repeatedly questions what names reveal about family and politics.
Bahia's strategy of sleeping with political opponents to change their views creates the film's distinctive blend of sexual provocation and political comedy.
The Martin and Benmahmoud parents broaden Arthur and Bahia's romance into a contrast between family backgrounds, memory, and political inheritance.
Films like The Names of Love, and why
The Trouble with You
shared romantic comedy structure, political idealism, and witty culture-clash humor
Priceless
shared French romantic comedy tone, eccentric protagonists, and playful social satire
The French Kissers
shared opposites-attract romance, political themes, and warm comic sensibility
Movie Details
- Director
- Michel Leclerc
- Release Date
- 2010-11-24
- Runtime
- 100 min
- Rating
- 7.2 / 10 (343)
Cast
- Jacques Gamblin
- Sara Forestier
- Zinedine Soualem
- Jacques Boudet
- Carole Franck
- Michèle Moretti
- Julia Vaidis-Bogard
- Nabil Massad
- Zakariya Gouram
- Adrien Stoclet
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Fandor, Chai Flicks
- Rent
- Google Play Movies, YouTube
- Buy
- Google Play Movies, YouTube
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Names of Love about?
- A sexually audacious activist and a risk-averse man discover that political labels and family names conceal complicated human histories.
- What is The Names of Love like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Names of Love as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as layered.
- Is The Names of Love violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in The Names of Love.
- What did critics think of The Names of Love?
- Critics generally found the film charming and intelligently provocative, praising its performances and political-romantic energy while noting some unevenness.
- Which films are like The Names of Love?
- Films with a similar feel include The Trouble with You, Priceless, and The French Kissers.
- How long is The Names of Love?
- The Names of Love runs 100 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Names of Love?
- In United States, The Names of Love streams on Fandor, Chai Flicks.
