Storyline
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.
Directors
Writers
Cast
Kal Penn, Liam James, Lester Speight, Roger Bart, Janeane Garofalo, Kristin Chenoweth, Wendi McLendon-Covey, Robert Peters, Cristina Franco, Kimberly Williams-Paisley, Ryan Lee, Karen Beyer, Skylar Astin, Sarah Steele, Sarah Baker, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Lucy DeVito, Darren Criss, Edgar Arreola, Gideon Glick, Anna Margaret, Bryce Romero, Jerry Leggio, Jessy Hughes, Rachel Wulff, Karen Kaia Livers, Sam Furman, Austin P. McKenzie, Orlette Cutrer, Sara Thomas Easley, Angel Giuffria, Bradley K. Jones, David Militello, Tara Shay Montgomery, Nicholas James Reilly, Jeremy Rowley, Ben Sanders, Logan Shroyer, Amitoz Singh, George Thagard, Sloane Warren
Trailer
Reviews
70
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.
50
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.
50
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.
40
Village Voice
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.
40
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.
