If you’ve ever been the odd man out at a wedding and abandoned at the “random people” table, you can probably relate to Table 19, a movie that is about as fun to watch as it is to sit at the “random people” table. In other words, best to RSVP “no.”
At just 87 minutes, Table 19 is an excruciating bore, an unfunny comedy written by the Duplass brothers that fails to live up to even its modest potential. Pitched as a film about a bunch of ragtag strangers at a wedding, the movie had the opportunity to be a goofy, offbeat frolic, but instead is a depressing slog with bland characters.
Anna Kendrick stars as an obnoxiously emotional young woman who was the maid of honor until her boyfriend—the bride’s brother—dumped her via text message. As annoying as she is, she’s the most likable—Lisa Kudrow and Craig Robinson play an utterly depressing couple who openly fight in front of everyone, June Squibb a sad old woman, Stephen Merchant a former convict who could very well be a serial killer, and Tony Revolori an awkward young man looking for love.
Merchant is amusing and Revolori has his moments, even if his character is incredibly over-written.
Table 19 does has its moments, too—primarily during a 10-minute stretch in the middle of its runtime—in which the characters lighten up and actually have meaningful and fun interactions with one another. But for the most part, the movie is painfully unfunny; instead of going for laughs, the Duplass brothers and director Jeffrey Blitz shoot for serious drama that simply doesn’t work.
If you’re looking for laughs, Table 19 is the worst kind of comedy, the equivalent of awkward small talk a table full of uninteresting people.
Review by Erik Samdahl unless otherwise indicated.