Weddings are a perfect setting for comedy and drama. Table 19 should be ideally poised to mine this idea, grouping together a band of misfits at a wedding, each with their own personal issues and differing connections to the happy couple. We’ve all been there, and while Table 19 gets a lot right about the experience, it fails to develop it into a concept that truly sustains the film.
Eloise (Anna Kendrick) finds herself relieved of her maid of honor position for her oldest friend when she breaks up with her boyfriend Timmy (Wyatt Russell) after two years together. Despite organizing the wedding and being unceremoniously shifted aside, she still decides to attend, finding herself assigned to ‘Table 19’, the place where guests who attended should have known better than to RSVP. Joining her is the bride’s former nanny Jo (June Squibb), squabbling married couple Bina and Jerry (Lisa Kudrow and Craig Robinson), British convict Walter (Stephen Merchant), and horny young Renzo (Tony Revolori). As the event begins, they begin to shares tales and bond, as Eloise struggles to deal with the presence of Timmy and his new girlfriend, as well as her relegation from her rightful position.
The table at the back, the one near the toilets. It’s an ever-present at every wedding and one that surprisingly hasn’t been milked to great effect in cinema before. It houses a band of misfits, ill suited to be placed with more respectable (or liked) guests. But these outsiders are often the types who find a connection with each other, as is the case here. It’s a smart approach, the film delivering a group that provides a gamut of surrogates for any type of watcher to empathize with. Despite being marketed as a romantic comedy, there is a real sadness that permeates the film. As the backstories are filled in, as character beats occur, it all layers it on more and more. As you’d expect, you’re going to get something of a happy ending, but there is a surprising heaviness as the film gets there. The comedy component isn’t entirely successful to temper this; it’s more cringe inducing than anything that will provoke a belly laugh.
When you consider the film, its premise and its cast, the overwhelming take away is that this should work a LOT better than it does. The script is uninspired, much of the dramatic content lacks depth and authenticity, amd even the comedy moments are lacking bite or a hint of the true raucousness you might expect at an affair such as this. If you’re going to lean towards the drama rather than the comedy, you need to have the substance to back it up. There are moments when the actors push through and craft a moment for themselves, but these instances are few and far between. Wyatt Russell is incredibly one note until he’s allowed to show his talents late in the game. Anna Kendrick is as charming as ever and perhaps the film’s saving grace. Lisa Kudrow and Craig Robinson do lend some weight to proceedings with a touching representation of a marriage gone sour. It’s a shame that their talents weren’t pushed more; had they been, Table 19 might have been a very effective endeavor.
The Package
Picture quality is strong. Interior and exterior scenes show bright, natural colors and good detail. Special features are plentiful and include:
- Deleted Scenes: Carol Milner Kills It, Cousin Donny Toasts It, Infamous Kate Works It, and Table 19 Swings It
- Featurettes: Table of Rejects, Head of the Table, and Table for Six
- Images Gallery
- Digital download copy
The Bottom Line
Table 19 takes a great premise and delivers a film that tempers its few laughs with a surprising sadness. A game cast makes it an easy watch, but lack of bite or deeper script development means it’s a lackluster affair. For fans, the Blu-ray release does offer a strong presentation and decent amount of extras.
Table 19 is available on Blu-ray and DVD from June 13th
