Table for Five

I first saw this movie when I was 15, and just saw it again over 20 years later. The movie still resonates with me after all this time. Children of a divorce who are trying to get to know their distant parent, and parents trying to get to know their children can appreciate the emotions each character is going through. I can also appreciate that the father is trying to be a good father but doesn't know how. His intentions are well meaning. The relationships between he and his children are realistic.

For those of you who rent from Netflix and read that the co-star is Kevin Costner, you will either be disappointed or happy to see that he has only an extra part, barely recognizable today! I recommend this as a good family film, especially for divorced families.

This is one of my favorite movies. I saw it years ago when it first came out.

So many scenes and feelings from it have lingered on with me to this day.

Jon Voight gives us one of his most magical performances. It is such a shame we don't see him as much as we once did. This is an actor who you can live through every emotion...and you know it is genuinely felt without ever falling below a level of human tenderness into anything less.

I was particularly captivated by Marie-Christine Barrault and Roxana Zal's performances. Robby Keger always made me smile - he played his character with such joy and love. Son Huang Bui did not have enough to do but you could see that he might have done well with an expanded part.

Richard Crenna and Millie Perkins contributed their wonderful range to round out this wonderful cast.

I recommend this to anyone, without reservation.

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.