Sometimes a movie like Table 19 translate better on home video and gives audiences a more charming experience. At the theater the film came off the screen as just another comedy lacking a good script. Although the film has not lost its penchant for being silly, at home you have the ability to chat with others and be as goofy as those you see on your big screen TV. Especially if the ladies are having a late night wine and cheese party.
If you choose the box set, there’s a Blu-ray with some deleted scenes and featurettes that add fun so you can continue your journey into whatever mood you find your guests after seeing the film.
The wedding vows are over at the chapel and the guests climb a hill to the reception hall, including Eloise (Anna Kendrick). She’s the ex-maid of honor to her long time best friend Francie Milner (Rya Meyers), the bride. She was ousted in that role when Teddy (Wyatt Russell), Francie’s brother, broke up with her. Slowly sauntering into the ballroom she goes to table 19 that was preselected for her and the other unwanted guests she will soon meet. You can easily see Eloise had to swallow a lot of pride to be there.
Table 19 has been set up for those who were not expected to reply to the wedding. Already at the table are the Kepp’s, Jerry (Craig Robinson) and Bina (Lisa Kudrow), business acquaintances the Milner’s, Jo Flanagan (June Squibb) Francie and Teddy’s former nanny, Walter Thimple (Stephen Merchant) a distant cousin who lives in a halfway house and Rezno Eckberg (Tony Revolori) a sexually immature teenager who shares a friendship with the groom’s family.
Taking her seat, Eloise looks around the room and sees what could have been if she would have been the Maid of Honor. The film moves along at a fast pace in this interesting little comedy with several side situations cropping up involving her reception table mates. Director Jeffrey Blitz has a lot of fun with his film as you can see from the actors who look like they are adlibbing in almost every scenes.
But, Blitz tries to grow the laughter of a Bridesmaids or Wedding Crashers, but the silliness of those films just doesn’t happen with Table 19. He needed some exceptional out of nowhere belly laughs and a few surprises that weren’t predictable. In some cases the jokes don’t work, especially between married couple the Kepp’s who deliver more downers that lack comic banter. But, beyond that there’s enough craziness coming from the other guests like the bride’s brother.
Saving the film from utter disaster, Stephen Merchant gives his very goofy character Walter Thimple a top notch workout picking up the pieces of this very dry comedy. He’s living in a halfway house after being released from prison for embezzlement and his bunkmate’s a real looser. The expressions on Merchant’s face are priceless, especially when his bunkmate climbs up onto the top bunk….well I won’t give it away, but it’s a very good guffaw much needed for the film.
BONUS FEATURES:
Deleted Scenes:
“Carol Milner Kills it” – a funny interpretation of the song by Becky Ann Baker “Cousin “Donny Toast’s it” a stand-up comic act by Matthew Cornwell
“Infamous Kate Works it” a very funny rendition of “9 to 5”
“Table 19 Swings” the group tries to get Renzo to dance
Featurettes:
“Table Rejects”
“Head of the Table”
“Table for Six”
Table 19 has been rated PG-13 by the MPAA for thematic elements, sexual content, drug use, language and some brief nudity. Be cautious when deciding to allow immature children see the home video as it does have some scenes that are inappropriate for youngsters.
FINAL ANALYSIS: Plays best for a ladies pajama party or a teen sleepover.
Additional Film Information:
Cast: Anna Kendrick, Craig Robinson, Lisa Kudrow, Wyatt Russell, Stephen Merchant, June Squibb, Tony Revolori, Margo Martindale, Marla Thayer.
Directed by: Jeffrey Blitz
Genre: Comedy, Drama
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for thematic elements, sexual content, drug use, language and some brief nudity
Running Time: 1 hr. 27 min.
Original Theatrical Release Date: March 3. 2017
Video Release Date: June 16, 2017
Language: English, (changeable to Descriptive English, Spanish, French, or German)
Reviewed Format: Blu-ray (also available in DVD)
Audio: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
Video: Widescreen, Aspect Ratio 2.39:1
Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish and French
Number of Discs: Box Set has 2 Discs + Digital HD download code
Distributed by: Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment
The comments within this review are the critic’s expressed opinions.