Table for Five

Table for Five is an emotionally-stirring 1983 drama which offers a compelling exploration of parenthood and personal transformation. Starring Jon Voight, Richard Crenna, and Marie-Christine Barrault, the film looks at the comic and tragically torn dimensions of parenthood in the modern world.

Directed by Robert Lieberman, the movie features Voight as protagonist J.P. Tannen, a weathered and somewhat hedonistic professional golfer who is grappling with life’s travails and personal setbacks. His high-flying lifestyle doesn't leave him much room for introspection until a fateful circumstance prompts him to reconsider his priorities and assess the state of his relationship with his children.

Tannen isn’t exactly a paragon of fatherhood. Having divorced his wife Kathleen (Millie Perkins) years ago, he's been living a self-centered life, largely removed from the lives of his three children. Despite living in the same city of Los Angeles, Tannen hasn’t exerted much effort into connecting with his kids, who are co-raised by their mother and stepfather, a composed and affluent lawyer played with nuanced perfection by Richard Crenna.

A chance opportunity, however, beckons Tannen to take his children on a Mediterranean cruise. It's a trip originally planned by the children's stepfather and one that presents Tannen an ideal chance to reconnect with his children - Trung (Son Hoang Bui), a sensitive and serious Vietnamese boy who Tannen and Kathleen had adopted during the Vietnam war, tomboyish tweener Tilde 'Tillie' (Roxana Zal) and the youngest, wide-eyed and perceptive Ben (Robby Kiger). It's here that the heart of Table for Five’s narrative unfolds.

As Tannen travels with his children aboard the cruise, he finds himself plunged into the deep and frequently turbulent waters of parenthood. He learns to grapple with the realities of being a father: from understanding his children's unique personalities, dealing with their tantrums, to experiencing their love and warmth. The cruise serves as a microcosm of real life, filled with eclectic characters and situations which give Tannen — and the audience — a taste of the colourful yet challenging palette of fatherhood.

The movie shines light on what it means to reconnect - with one's family and with oneself. As he spends time with his children, Tannen realizes the distance that had developed between them, and also the joy and meaning they bring into his life. He discovers the essence of being a parent – the imperfections, the hard decisions, the small triumphs, and the big failures.

Jon Voight in the lead role delivers a potent performance. He infuses Tannen with humanity and falterings that make him an authentic and relatable figure – far removed from the caricature of an absentee father. His interactions with his children — played brilliantly by the young actors — form some of the most touching moments of the film. Richard Crenna and Marie-Christine Barrault also make a mark with their natural performances in their supporting roles.

Table for Five showcases a personascape dominated by the deeply flawed yet evolving character of J.P. Tannen and his journey from a distant, carefree golfer to a man reckoning with his paternal responsibilities. The narrative pulls its strength from the synergistic performances by the lead cast that portray a real, raw picture of family dynamics and the complexities of fatherhood.

Despite a seemingly simple premise, Table for Five opens a wide panorama with its subtle details, heartfelt moments, and layered characters. It evokes laughter, tears, contemplation, and a warm connection with the characters navigating through life’s uncertainties and their complex relationships.

Captivating camerawork captures the bustling scenes of the cruise ship and the breathtaking vistas of the Mediterranean – serving as a vibrant backcloth to the central narrative. The film's screenplay, penned by David Seltzer, along with David M. Walsh's cinematography and John Williams' evocative musical score, coupled with potent performances, all combine to make Table for Five a thoughtful, engaging journey through the joys, trials, travails, and revelations of parenthood.

Table for Five is a touching and compelling narrative that resonates deeply and will especially appeal to parents or indeed any viewer who appreciates emotionally nuanced cinema. It's a cinematic experience that encourages introspection and underscores the importance of family bonds and personal growth even amid tumultuous circumstances — a sense that lingers long after the film is over.

The film is a poignant cinematic journey, an emotionally-impactful exploration of parenthood, personal transformation, and the shades of human relationships, framed in an engaging narrative against a backdrop of high seas adventure and travel.