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IMDbPro

Speech & Debate

  • 2017
  • PG-13
  • 1h 45m
IMDb RATING
5.9/10
1.5K
YOUR RATING
Liam James, Sarah Steele, and Austin P. McKenzie in Speech & Debate (2017)
Trailer for Speech & Debate
Play trailer2:32
3 Videos
57 Photos
ComedyDrama

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 def... Read allFrustrated 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.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
  • Writer
    • Stephen Karam
  • Stars
    • Jeremy Rowley
    • Jerry Leggio
    • Wendi McLendon-Covey
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    5.9/10
    1.5K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Dan Harris
    • Writer
      • Stephen Karam
    • Stars
      • Jeremy Rowley
      • Jerry Leggio
      • Wendi McLendon-Covey
    • 21User reviews
    • 5Critic reviews
    • 46Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Videos3

    Speech & Debate
    Trailer 2:32
    Speech & Debate
    Speech & Debate
    Clip 2:52
    Speech & Debate
    Speech & Debate
    Clip 2:52
    Speech & Debate
    Speech & Debate: School Board Meeting
    Clip 2:52
    Speech & Debate: School Board Meeting

    Photos56

    View Poster
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    + 53
    View Poster

    Top cast57

    Edit
    Jeremy Rowley
    Jeremy Rowley
    • Gary Crenshaw
    Jerry Leggio
    Jerry Leggio
    • Ted Burns
    Wendi McLendon-Covey
    Wendi McLendon-Covey
    • Joan Hawthrone
    Roger Bart
    Roger Bart
    • Principal Bellingham
    Janeane Garofalo
    Janeane Garofalo
    • Marie Jones
    Kal Penn
    Kal Penn
    • James Merrick
    Kimberly Williams-Paisley
    Kimberly Williams-Paisley
    • Susan Merrick
    Liam James
    Liam James
    • Solomon Merrick
    Austin P. McKenzie
    Austin P. McKenzie
    • Howie Hawthorne
    • (as Austin McKenzie)
    Sarah Steele
    Sarah Steele
    • Diwata Jones
    Skylar Astin
    Skylar Astin
    • Walter Healy
    Sarah Baker
    Sarah Baker
    • Miss Riggi
    Robert Peters
    Robert Peters
    • Coach Pemberton
    Cristina Franco
    Cristina Franco
    • Oksana Poluski
    Anna Margaret
    Anna Margaret
    • Casey Thronburn
    Edgar Arreola
    Edgar Arreola
    • Arnett
    Sara Thomas Easley
    • Shy Auditioner
    Spencer Liff
    Spencer Liff
    • Choreographer
    • Director
      • Dan Harris
    • Writer
      • Stephen Karam
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews21

    5.91.4K
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    Featured reviews

    9vinienair

    Pretty awesome show

    I really like coming of age movies so I googled for some and stumbled upon this one. The summary really won me over but I wanted to do some investigating before I proceeded to watch it. I got some mixed reviews and was skeptical. However, after watching it, I was blown away. I loved it. Although it wasn't 10/10 for me and I am no movie expert, the way the movie was made and the originality of the characters despite having clichéd labels was on-point. I felt a sense of relief when I finished watching it which is always awesome. So please go and watch it.
    8agberterdoo

    Teens coming of Age

    If you are coming to see a movie about debate then this is not a movie for you. The main focus of the film is about the three teens that make up the debate team and their struggles. I love how light hearted and funny this film is, and how the kids form a great bond with one another!
    7casperenkelaar

    Low ratings are unfair

    I see people who gave it a low rating because it isn't representative of real speech and debate clubs. That's true but the movie is about totally different themes. It's about adults refusing to acknowledge real issues and ignoring teens who are literally shouting to be heard. I think the movie did a great job at portraying this. I think the characters are fun and loveable as well.
    7kosmasp

    Coming out ... to speak

    Sometimes you are not able to get into a debate. For kids this is not something new. And when I say kids, I mean teens. While many do try to have fun during that period, that doesn't mean that some kids are more mature and have things that bother them, that they want to talk about. Now to some this may seem trivial and I reckon considering the latest mass shooting at a school, you could very well argue that point.

    But it is not just about petty things, it is about the general state of not being able to listen to the person sitting next or opposite to you. When our main actor is trying to change something in his school, he's being shut down. He's being told to go and do something else. Like join an existing club. One that no one pays attention to anyway. So the solution is to keep one quiet. And while I see one other reviewer being angry about the title of the movie, be aware that there is more to this. And even if you feel the movie has missled you, that doesn't mean it has bad intentions or has bad acting in it. It is a slow burner and therefor hard to swallow at times, adding to the teen drama and missunderstandings. But it also has some merits to it, that I hope you can see and also hope they will be able to get you to think about other people too - because that is the message - Debate, but don't forget to listen
    8lillypoplisa

    Fun movie!! :D

    I really enjoyed this movie!! :D It was only rated one and a half stars for me on Netflix but I don't know why because it was totally my kind of movie!! The only reason that I've rated it 8/10 stars on here is because it lacked the romance that it made me expect :D It's a really fun filled movie though - especially if you enjoy songs about crap sandwiches :'D

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    Related interests

    Will Ferrell in Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)
    Comedy
    Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)
    Drama

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Sarah Steele also played the character Diwata in the Off-Broadway play the movie is based upon.
    • Goofs
      At 23:07 in the movie, Solomon looks up Diwatas youtube channel. As the page loads, he's marked as subscribed to her channel, and in the next, while looking at a video, he is marked as not subscribed.
    • Soundtracks
      Crap Sandwich
      Written by Stephen Karam

      Performed by Sarah Steele

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    FAQ14

    • How long is Speech & Debate?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • April 7, 2017 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Discurso y debate
    • Filming locations
      • Jackson, Mississippi, USA
    • Production company
      • Sycamore Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 45m(105 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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