Table 19 Movie Review (2017)

A light comedy about a group of oddballs stuck at the “extra people” table at a wedding, Table 19 wants to be entertaining, but it never really clicks.

I was recently scrolling through the movies streaming on the platforms that I subscribe to, and I came across this one. I had literally never heard the title, but with a cast like this, how was that possible? Well, I just found out.

Table 19 takes place at a wedding and focuses on Eloise, the oldest friend of the bride, and the recent ex-girlfriend of the bride’s brother, Teddy. The situation being what it is, Eloise is placed at table 19 – the table reserved for the people who don’t fit at any other table. At this table are the bride and Teddy’s old nanny, a couple who own a restaurant that the bride’s dad frequents, an awkward tall man, and a teenager who is looking for girls. Over the course of the film, you learn about each of these people and Eloise flirts with a mysterious man.

There are a lot of decent ingredients in this film, but the soufflé never rises. With a story written by Jay and Mark Duplass (who wrote and created The Puffy Chair in addition to so many other projects) as well as Jeffrey Blitz, and directed by Blitz, this movie has a good foundational team.

The actors include Anna Kendrick, June Squibb, Craig Robinson, Lisa Kudrow, Stephen Merchant, and Wyatt Russell, so you’ve got a strong cast. I am also convinced that it is impossible to not like anything that June Squibb is in, but in this case, let’s say that she is one of the saving graces.

The story is predictable, but so many films are, so that doesn’t really even matter. The issue is that it never gets interesting. The silliness is there, it just never quite works. The characters are quirky and the actors do a good job, but nothing really lands. It’s like the spark that could have been is missing.

There are two things that I did like about Table 19, though. There is a running gag about Lisa Kudrow’s character being dressed for the wedding in almost matching clothing with the waitstaff. It comes up several times, the clothing being mistaken for an employee’s, and each time it is hilarious. The second thing is the last moment of the movie. Both excellent additions to the film.

A lot of the elements are there for Table 19 – a good cast, a short runtime, eclectic characters – but the storyline feels faulty. Or maybe the storyline could be good, but the execution was faulty. Somehow, the two never met. The good news, though, is that at only 87 minutes, it does go by quickly. I just wish it had been better.

Runtime: 87 minutes

Motion Picture Rating: PG-13

Languages Spoken In The Film: English

Should You Watch It? No, unless you’re curious

Did I Cry? Nope

My Rating: 2/5 Stars

Available: Free on Max and Hulu, to rent on Prime Video, or may be available for free on other streaming platforms