Review of Table 19 (2017) by Kj P — 04 Jun 2017

This may just be me, but I feel as though every film that Anna Kendrick attaches herself to instantly becomes watchable, due to the fact that her likability is always the most present thing in any film she's in. No matter how good or bad, her charming nature always has me finding something to like about the film. In this case, most critics have found Table 19 to be extremely hollow and have given it an overwhelmingly low score. I had been looking forward to this one for a while, but after reading a few reviews, I reserved myself and hoped for at least something enjoyable. Happily, this is one of the rare occasions where I have to disagree with the majority vote. Table 19 is a charming, harmless, one-location film with a lot of heart and here is why I believe it deserves some attention.

Taking place almost entirely at a wedding, six random people have been placed at Table 19, which is the table that the leftovers/single people are placed at. All there for having some sort of relation to either the bride or groom, they are all strangers to each other. All having problems of their own, they form an unlikely bond and begin to find joy at a place that none of them really want to be at. With the addition of relationships falling apart or coming back together in surprising ways, Table 19 keeps its overall premise quite interesting from start to finish. Never once did I find myself bored, due to the very breezy 80-minute run time and the loveable cast of characters.

I may be putting this film on a higher pedestal than it deserves, by stating that the sole reason this film is so good is due to the fact that the cast works terrifically together, but when a film desperately needs to do that in order for the story to work, not much else is needed here. This is such a simple one location premise, that it does just rely on its cast to carry it. Happily, everyone from the very talented Anna Kendrick, to the loveable June Squibb, to the pleasant sight of seeing Lisa Kudrow in the spotlight again, to seeing the very likely pairing of actors like Craig Robinson, Toni Revolori, and Stephen Merchant, there was a lot to love about these characters. Giving just enough backstory to each character during subtle lines of dialogue, I felt like I was getting to know all of them by the end of the film.

There are only a few plot details set-up throughout the course of the first act, so it's very predictable when viewers finally reach the third act. This film is almost too simple for its own good, but that's one of the reasons why I enjoyed it so much. This a very short, very sweet, and very relaxed movie that tugs on just the right heart strings to leave you feeling very happy by the time the film ends. Some of the character decisions will bother a few people and the conclusion may not be exactly what everyone hopes for or frankly what may not suit the overall movie, but I quite enjoyed the conclusion and would honestly watch a television show with these characters at other events. That's truly how much I began to enjoy watching them on-screen.

In the end, one-location films will always divide audiences for the most part. Some will be bored by the fact that it isn't exploring enough and other will find themselves loving the simplicity. I'm an avid filmgoer so I can accommodate my liking to either of the two. Table 19 has a fantastic cast of characters, therefore making for a very enjoyable viewing experience. It's most likely not going to be on my most-liked films of 2017, but it won't be one I'll soon forget, so that's more than a positive response coming from me. I really enjoyed my viewing of Table 19 and anyone who enjoys to relax and watch a simple movie that is very well-done, I have no problem giving this a recommendation. To my surprise, I think Table 19 is a great little movie.