Review: Table 19

Can a much of misfit Celebrities make a good movie?
“Table 19” is a film about the misadventures of a table of apparent misfits at a wedding that no one, including themselves, really thinks they should have attended. Through this ragtag group of guests, we are supposed to witness some of the worst, most painful, and most painfully awkward possible situations a group of seemingly unwanted, unmemorable, or inconsequential wedding guests can experience.

With a corny but possibly interesting plotline accompanied by a quality and comedic cast, lead by the very talented Anna Kendrick and featuring Lisa Kudrow, Craig Robinson, June Squibb, Tony Revolori, Stephen Merchant, and Wyatt Russell, the film had the potential to be very and- to some (me!)- surprisingly entertaining. Unfortunately the attempted rom-com or dramedy suffers from trying too hard to go deeper than it’s length and writing allows. The main plot gets just as lost and confused as its outcast wedding guests amongst the too-numerous-to-really-flesh-out subplots. And the potentially surprising and story invigorating mid and ending twists are too phoned in to really carry their attempted weight. It’s like someone made a list of a bunch of possible dramatic situations for these characters- each of which (situations and characters) could have actually been interesting and/or moving if given the appropriate time and attention- but, instead of seeing which could be truly and organically explored, decided to just throw them all in and hope to get by on the comedic effect. It doesn’t. It doesn’t flow easily, comfortably, or believably and though there are some amusing situations and funny jokes scattered throughout, it’s not at all enough to carry the film.

With it’s talented, far better script and role deserving cast, “Table 19” is an opportunity film that fails to be better than, or even really true to, it’s tagline (Renzo is the only real misfit, but the cliche adolescent one). A somewhat attempted adult/wedding version of “The Breakfast Club”, it’s overdone layering and lack of sensible, believable, or at all organic situations dragged along by awful (and again inorganic) pacing and transitions, keep what should have been, at the very least, a humorously relatable experience from ever gaining any solid ground.

2 out of 5

What would I have changed? (Spoilers)
Click here to read what I would Change
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Liz Liz (Contributor) is an ardent cinephile from West Philadelphia. She enjoys all genres and generations of cinema and has a particular love for independent and foreign films

Comments

joan bush said…
I did not get to see this movie. I heard it was good. I will hope to see it on DVD.
Tammy Lueck said…
Was a nice movie.
gdub said…
I found it a both funny and slightly touching dramady.
Charity Ann Cram said…
I do want to see this, but my movie of choice this weekend was A United Kingdom. From this review it sounds like I made a wise choice. I will probably wait until a discounted movie day to see Table 19.
Wendy Jewett said…
I enjoyed this cute little movie a bit predictable but enjoyable just the same.
Michael Gatto said…
I thought this was cute and there were a few funny moments but as a whole I thought it was a bit too dull. Would have maybe worked better as a short.
Donna Huggins said…
I thoroughly enjoyed this movie. There was a good balance of seriousness and comedy with lessons an tolerance to be learned
Teddi R Penland said…
It was a cute movie.
sandy weinstein said…
i have not seen this movie, but has a nice array of characters and stars. it seems like it would have it moments of laughter.
Brandie Booth said…
I was quite surprised by the twists, they were not at all phoned in. You think the movie is going in the clichéd happy ending and then it doesn't, but then it does! This movie is definately a rental, not worth the full movie price.
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