Speech & Debate

Name: Speech & Debate
Genre: Drama, Comedy
Released: April 7, 2017
Duration: 105 min
Rating: 46

2017

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Mixed or average reviews based on 5 Critic Reviews

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Speech & Debate

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Movie Details & Credits

Vertical Entertainment | Release Date: April 7, 2017 | PG-13

Summary: Frustrated by the hypocrisy they see in their parents, teachers, and the entire school board, an unlikely trio set out to find a common truth and make their voices heard as they revive a defunct school club and take on the world.

Director: Dan Harris

Genre(s): Drama, Comedy

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 105 min

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Critic Reviews

Gary Goldstein

Apr 6, 2017

Although the story, which feels a tad past its expiration date, never digs too deeply into its central issues (hypocrisy, loneliness, censorship, finding one’s voice), Dan Harris’ peppy direction and nimble turns by the film’s young leads prevail. Read full review

Neil Genzlinger

Apr 6, 2017

Over all, the movie, directed by Dan Harris and featuring name actors like Kal Penn and Janeane Garofalo in small roles, has a focus problem that leaves its humorous moments obscured and its intentions hazy. Read full review

Andrew Barker

Apr 11, 2017

Though energetically shot and blessed with some appealing performances (including winningly strange cameos for theater darlings Lin-Manuel Miranda and Darren Criss), Speech & Debate never manages to make a convincing case for itself. Read full review

Serena Donadoni

Apr 6, 2017

Director Dan Harris (Imaginary Heroes) structures Speech & Debate like a musical comedy that's building up to a cathartic final number, but scene after scene just falls flat. Read full review

Frank Scheck

Apr 27, 2017

The film’s stage origins, and a cameo appearance by Lin-Manuel Miranda, may be of interest to theater buffs, but everyone else will be left wondering what all the fuss was about. Read full review

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