There’s little that could be considered substantial to Table 19. It’s sweet and amusing, and it occasionally throws a few twists into what appear to be predictable scenarios. For audiences willing to go with the film, though, it’s an enjoyable piece of fluff that shouldn’t be immediately dismissed.
Eloise (Anna Kendrick) has decided to attend the wedding of her oldest friend, even though she dropped out as the maid of honor after the bride’s brother (Wyatt Russell) dumped her via text. For her troubles, Eloise finds herself placed at Table 19, the table for the random people who showed up to the wedding. They include the Kepps (Lisa Kudrow and Craig Robinson), a bickering couple who own a diner; Nanny Jo (June Squibb), the busybody former nanny of the bride; Renzo (Tony Revolori), the horny high school student; and Walter (Stephen Merchant), the amiable black sheep of the bride’s family.
At 87 minutes, Table 19 doesn’t draw out its plot – it almost completely surrounds the wedding reception time period, as these six individuals deal with their various issues separately and together. But with the cast assembled, there’s a certain charm to the proceedings. At the center, though, is Eloise, whose reasoning for being there grows more surprising as the film progresses.
That being said, there’s not a whole lot to the story. It’s very much a small film that depends more on character development and bits of comedy. There’s no major villain to the film, and because of the focus on characters, the first half may move a bit slowly for audiences. The second half, though, delivers a nice payoff. For audiences who watch the trailer and find it appealing, it’s worth a viewing.
Outtakes Atlanta 