Table for Five

I can guarantee that ninety percent of my readers here have not seen this tear-jerking melodrama 1983's Table for Five, yet alone heard of it. Hopefully after reading my kind words, you will be somewhat intrigued by this movie. When doing my research for the film, I was shocked to see how vastly underrated the movie is. There are only a few reviews on Rotten Tomatoes, hardly any information on Wikipedia or Google-hardly anything out there in this vast Internet landscape. Then, why on earth is this movie so good? Sure, maybe some folks will say the movie is just a predictable Lifetime TV movie, but honestly it is much more than that. There are some elements that makes this film seem destined for the television at times, but to me it is much more than that. I consider the movie to be an honest, emotional portrayal about fatherhood and family.

Directed by Robert Lieberman, this film is about a man named J.P Tannen (Jon Voight) who fails at being father and has not been quality alone time with his three children in over four years. He is given permission by his ex-wife Marie (Marie-Christine Barrault) and her new husband, Mitchell (Richard Crenna) to take the kids on a cruise in the Mediterranean. J.P loves his kids, Tilde (Roxana Zal), Truman-Paul (Robby Kiger), and Trung (Son Hoang Bui). However, it is clear that fatherhood is not one of his strong points. During the cruise, an emotional, life-altering tragedy strikes. This tragedy will allow J.P to figure out what went wrong and how he be a better father in the future.

The performances in the film are honest and extremely realistic. Jon Voight gives a fantastic, heart-breaking portrayal of a father who means well, but cannot express that sentiment in a believable manner. For an actor of his caliber, his performance definitely goes under the radar. I was very impressed with the children actors. Casting children without any experience can often be problematic, but I was relieved that is not the case here. These children gave their best, especially Roxana Zal. Credit needs to be given to Richard Crenna as well. The actor, known for his role in First Blood, gives a steely performance as the stepfather. The movie tries to show how hard being a stepfather is, especially in the wake of tragedy. Also, a fun note, but keep an eye out for Kevin Costner-who portrays a newlywed on the cruise.

I really did not know what I was expecting with the movie. On paper, this seems like an overly sappy Lifetime movie with the design to force tears out of you. As expected, those tears did come. What was unexpected were those natural tears. The movie hits you hard, much harder than I came to anticipate. Although my first thought was Lifetime movie, I knew it had to be more than that. Jon Voight in his prime, cinematography by Vilmos Zsigmond, editing by Michael Kahn-who has edited most of Steven Spielberg's movies. Luckily, their talents are not wasted here. I also liked how the film was only shot on location-in places like Rome and Egypt. This is a movie that no one knows about, so go ahead and check this movie out. It's an emotional, hard-hitting drama with an underrated Jon Voight performance.

My Grade: A-

I liked the way this movie showed a father's love. And the kids were great actors, It showed Jon Voight in his good looking days and the countries that they went to were awesome. But no offense but the movie is a little bit two long and it might want to make you want to watch something else.. I had to watch it in 2 parts on Showtime.. but it is a good movie nonetheless. and the ending? well i'm not going to spoil it for you but you have to see for yourself why i comment on it so. my rating for this movie I give it a 6.. it would have gotten an 8 but it is kind of slow..

The casting was perfect whoever did this is a genius. This is my favorite John Voight movie. He is multidimensional as he balances his friendship with his kids while being a dad. His relationship with his young son completes him as the dad he longs to be. In addition, he has an adopted Asian son who missed him when his parents split up. I don't want to give away too much of the plot, but the kids figure out really quick what he's up to with the table reservations.

As the story progresses you can't figure out where it's going but then it hits you like freight train. The whole dynamic changes & another story is developing right in front of you. Voight's performance towards the end alone was Oscar worthy. His interaction with their adopted dad Richard Crenna keeps you guessing as to what Voight will do when faced with a crises that he solves amicably or at least we think he does.

Table for Five is a sweet, nuanced melodrama that flies under the radar and offers a heartfelt depiction of a man who is trying to set his life straight in the eyes of his children. Some people may dismiss this film as another Lifetime film, while others may find this to be a moving tear-jerker. I seem to be in the latter category. The film is edited and written well, thus making for a good, intelligent film.

This film is about a father named J.P who is seen more as the friendly uncle. In order to change that view, he gets the permission from his ex- wife to take his three kids on a Mediterranean cruise where he finds out if this will be the best thing to happen to him.....or the worst thing to happen to him.

Jon Voight delivers a heartfelt performance as J.P as the father who means well, but doesn't live up to expectations of his family. Richard Crenna delivers a good performance as J.P ex-wife's new husband. I also like the performances out of the children whom as first-time actors, were actually worth rooting for.

Overall, Table for Five may not be the best drama film you'll see, but it still is a powerful piece of work that rings a true message about change and love. Like the movie itself, all the performances are heartfelt and meaningful. This may not be everyone's cup of tea, but it's certainly a film that flew under the radar and one that needs to go over the radar.

My Grade: A-

John Voigt is at his best in his role as a divorced Father who all but abandoned his children. A lovely Mediterranean cruise is a short reunion but fate enters the story. The children are excellent actors and Richard Crenna as the stepfather married to John Voigt's ex wife plays a sympathetic role. A part time girlfriend of Voigt's fills out this character study of people in crises trying to handle it well.

It is a touching, well crafted and well acted movie and not dated at all in spite of l983 production. I give it an 8.