Table 19 (2017)

Directed by: Jeffrey Blitz | 84 minutes | drama, comedy, romance | Actors: Anna Kendrick, June Squibb, Lisa Kudrow, Craig Robinson, Tony Revolori, Thomas Cocquerel, Wyatt Russell, Amanda Crew, Stephen Merchant, Margo Martindale, Charles Green, Rya Meyers

Weddings, you just have to love them. For many a necessary evil, for others (usually limited to two, maximum six, in the case of proud parents) the most beautiful day of life. ‘Table 19’ is about the social conventions surrounding such a mandatory song, such a party that you really shouldn’t miss, but that you would rather trade in for a day of cleaning your house, clearing the attic or weeding in the garden…

We get to know main character Eloise McGarry when she has just received the invitation to the wedding of her oldest (not best!) friend. Gradually we understand that there are quite a few snags on this day. Eloise was originally supposed to be a bridesmaid and she has had a big finger in the pie preparing this happy day for her friend Francie. But then she was dumped by Francie’s brother, Teddy. Via a text message. They had been dating for two years. Eloise was kicked out of her role as bridesmaid and was given a seat at table 19. The table that is intended for the guests who really don’t belong anywhere else and who no one will miss if they didn’t show up.

After ‘Table 19’ introduces the other wedding guests to the table in question, the story really starts. Little by little we learn more about how and why Eloise was abandoned by Teddy, what’s going on with Francie’s former nanny (lovely role by June Squibb) and why the couple played by Lisa Kudrow and Craig Robinson is so unhappy. The other characters remain a bit flat, but that does not bother.

The story of ‘Table 19’ was co-written by Mark and Jay Duplass, whose previous films such as ‘Cyrus’ (2010) and ‘Jeff, Who Lives at Home’ (2011) have already shown that they can handle stories that slightly different than you are used to from mainstream Hollywood. ‘Table 19’ also contains some surprises, but unfortunately the makers seem to have succumbed to the general public’s desire to see a happy ending with a film like this. The outcome of the story may be what will please most viewers, the plot twist comes too suddenly and the characters make decisions that are actually based on futility. Don’t let that stop you from watching ‘Table 19’ though, because the fine acting performances and the recognizable awkward situations make this film, which is more drama than comedy, definitely preferable to attending a wedding where you would rather not be.