Romantic Comedies often get hated on by the critics, but they are often a guilty pleasure of mine. Thus, I ventured out to see Table 19 because of the cast, led by Anna Kendrick, and my affection for the genre. The film isn’t perfect or revolutionary, but manages to be very enjoyable, endearing, and funny. Director Jeffrey Blitz and writers Jay Duplass and Mark Duplass manage to deliver a film that is primarily saved by its cast and a surprise detective theme that plays into the film’s plot.
Table 19 is an entertaining Rom-com
Eloise (Anna Kendrick) is attending her friend’s wedding, but the bride’s brother Teddy (Wyatt Russell), who happens to be the groom’s best man, is Eloise’s ex-boyfriend. Their recent break-up has bumped Eloise out of the wedding party and into the reject table. Fortunately for the audience, as table 19’s other inhabitants include Bina (Lisa Kudrow) and Jerry (Craig Robinson) Kepp, Rezno Eckberg (Tony Revolori), Walter Thimple (Stephen Merchant), and Jo Flanagan (June Squibb). This table of misfits that have nothing in common find friendship as a result of their situation.
Stephen Merchant is the funniest element of the film. Walter is a family member that has a shielded past that slowly reveals itself. He also seems a little bit off, but he begins to loosen up as the film continues and becomes very endearing. Of course, Tony Revolori and his odd relationship with his mother who seems to be encouraging him to lose his virginity is also rather funny. He has a hilarious interaction with Andy Daly, who is criminally underused in this film, that showcases Rezno’s awkwardness.
The heart of the film comes with the character that seemed the least interesting in the trailer. Jo Flanagan was the bride’s nanny and ends up being an emotional connection in the film. She ultimately discovers a truth about Eloise that ups the stakes and offers an emotional beat towards the end that almost brought a tear. She pushes the detective theme in the film along with Jerry Kepp who is obsessed with the idea of being a detective. The film plays on this idea within the plot as well with a red herring that was predictable, but a nice touch in the presentation.
Final Thoughts…
It would be easy to nitpick this film, but ultimately my daughter and I found it enjoyable. Kendrick is charming, Lisa Kudrow is terrific, Merchant and Revolori are hilarious, and Wyatt Russell continues to shine. Table 19 earns the Decent Watch rating.
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