Table 19
Eloise, having been relieved of maid of honor duties after being unceremoniously dumped by the best man via text, decides to attend the wedding anyway – only to find herself seated with five fellow-unwanted guests at the dreaded Table 19.
Working with a modest budget of $5.0M, the film achieved a steady performer with $5.0M in global revenue (+1% profit margin).
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Table 19 (2017) exemplifies strategically placed narrative architecture, characteristic of Jeffrey Blitz's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 27 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.8, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Eloise sits alone in her apartment, staring at a wedding invitation, having been dumped and relegated from maid of honor to random guest at her ex-boyfriend's brother's wedding.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 11 minutes when Eloise arrives at the wedding venue and must face the reality of seeing Teddy with his new girlfriend, forcing her to confront her humiliation publicly.. At 13% through the film, this Disruption is delayed, allowing extended setup of the story world. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 22 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This reveals the protagonist's commitment to Eloise makes the active choice to stay at the wedding and engage with her Table 19 companions rather than flee, opening herself to connection., moving from reaction to action.
At 44 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Significantly, this crucial beat False victory: Eloise connects romantically with Teddy again, and the Table 19 group seems to be finding joy and purpose, but this masks unresolved issues and the truth about why Teddy really broke up with her., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 65 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, All is lost: The truth about Teddy's betrayal is fully revealed, the Table 19 group fragments in conflict and disappointment, and Eloise hits rock bottom, realizing she's been clinging to a false hope., indicates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 70 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Eloise realizes that her worth isn't defined by Teddy's rejection and that the authentic connections she's made with the Table 19 misfits are more valuable than her false relationship. She chooses self-respect and genuine belonging., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Table 19's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs a 15-point narrative structure framework that maps key story moments. By mapping Table 19 against these established plot points, we can identify how Jeffrey Blitz utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Table 19 within the comedy genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Eloise sits alone in her apartment, staring at a wedding invitation, having been dumped and relegated from maid of honor to random guest at her ex-boyfriend's brother's wedding.
Theme
Eloise's friend suggests maybe the people at Table 19 will be "her people" - introducing the theme that belonging and connection can be found in unexpected places.
Worldbuilding
Establishment of Eloise's humiliated state, her history with Teddy, and the decision to attend the wedding despite everything. We meet the other Table 19 misfits: the Kepples (unhappy married couple), Walter (awkward teen), Jerry (lonely ex-con), and Bina (quirky nanny).
Disruption
Eloise arrives at the wedding venue and must face the reality of seeing Teddy with his new girlfriend, forcing her to confront her humiliation publicly.
Resistance
Eloise debates whether to stay or leave, interacts awkwardly with the Table 19 guests, and struggles with whether to engage with these strangers or remain isolated in her misery.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Eloise makes the active choice to stay at the wedding and engage with her Table 19 companions rather than flee, opening herself to connection.
Mirror World
The Table 19 group begins to bond and share their stories, with each misfit reflecting aspects of loneliness and the need for belonging that mirror Eloise's journey.
Premise
The "fun and games" of the misfit table causing chaos at the wedding: bonding over drinks, pranks, revelations about each character's backstory, and Eloise gradually letting her guard down with these unexpected friends.
Midpoint
False victory: Eloise connects romantically with Teddy again, and the Table 19 group seems to be finding joy and purpose, but this masks unresolved issues and the truth about why Teddy really broke up with her.
Opposition
Tensions rise as the Kepples' marriage problems surface, Jerry's past catches up with him, Walter faces rejection, and Eloise discovers the painful truth about her relationship with Teddy - he got someone pregnant, which is why he ended things.
Collapse
All is lost: The truth about Teddy's betrayal is fully revealed, the Table 19 group fragments in conflict and disappointment, and Eloise hits rock bottom, realizing she's been clinging to a false hope.
Crisis
Eloise and the other Table 19 members separately process their pain and failures, confronting what they really need versus what they've been seeking.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Eloise realizes that her worth isn't defined by Teddy's rejection and that the authentic connections she's made with the Table 19 misfits are more valuable than her false relationship. She chooses self-respect and genuine belonging.
Synthesis
The Table 19 group reunites and supports each other, each character finding resolution: the Kepples rekindle their marriage, Walter gains confidence, Jerry finds redemption, and Eloise confronts Teddy with dignity before celebrating with her true friends.
Transformation
Eloise dances joyfully with her Table 19 family, transformed from an isolated, rejected woman to someone who has found genuine belonging and self-worth with people who actually see and value her.