Table 19: Movie Review

The new comedy “Table 19”was written by the Duplass brothers (“Baghead”, “Cyrus”) and directed by Jeffrey Blitz (TV’s “The Office”, “Review”).  That is a good mix for an indie comedy, but it’s the superb cast that really stands out here.  Anna Kendrick, Stephen Merchant, Lisa Kudrow, Craig Robinson, Tony Revolori, and June Squibb are all front and center as the wedding guests shoved together at table 19. This is the table that is placed far away from anyone important at the wedding but close enough to the restroom for those with bladder control issues.

When Eloise (Kendrick) was dumped by her boyfriend Teddy (Wyatt Russell) via text message, it caused her to back-out of being the maid-of-honor for her oldest friend’s wedding.  You see, Teddy is the brother of the bride-to-be and his new girlfriend is one of the bridesmaids.  We can’t really blame Eloise for not wanting to take part in the joyous union.  However, when Eloise gets an invite to the wedding, she decides to attend, although the decision isn’t made lightly. She sets the invitation on fire (partially) before mailing it back.

When Eloise arrives at the wedding, she realizes that she has been seated at the “outcast” table.  Since she helped plan this wedding, she basically knows everything about it and the people in attendance.  The random guests at table 19 include Walter (Merchant) an ex-convict who stole money from the bride’s father. He also happens to be cousin, Rezno (Revolori) a socially awkward young man who is there because his mother wants him to meet a girl and figures a wedding would be the best place to do it. There is also the Bride’s first nanny, Jo (Squibb) and finally Jerry and Bina Kepp (Robinson and Kudrow respectively) a couple who seemingly don’t really care for each other all that much.

“Table 19” is a very likable film, thanks to the cast as well as the writing by Jay and Mark Duplass.  It is the interaction between all these misfit characters that make it such a pleasure to watch.  Yes, there are some laughs here and there but “Table 19” is much more intelligent that I expected.  I also give it bonus points for letting the film end in a way that I didn’t quite expect.

By: Marc Ferman