Table for Five (1983)

Table for Five Poster

J.P. Tannen (Jon Voight) wants a second chance to be a father to his children ... but someone else has taken his place. Determined not to just be a friendly 'uncle' in their lives, he gets permission from his ex-wife Kathleen (Millie Perkins) and her new husband (Richard Crenna) to take the kids on a Mediterranean cruise. On the journey he comes to realise it's not that easy and, feeling overwhelmed, begins to doubt his abilities until a tragedy back home forces him to become the father he always hoped to be.

Film Overview
"Table for Five" is an emotional drama movie launched in 1983, helmed by director Robert Lieberman. The screenplay was written by David Seltzer, featuring Jon Voight, Richard Crenna, Roxana Zal, and Millie Perkins in popular functions. Shot mostly in Egypt and Los Angeles, the film traverses through a touching story that focuses on the themes of family, parenthood, divorce, reconciliation and personal growth.

Plot Summary
In the heart of "Table for Five's" storyline is J.P Tannen (Jon Voight), a rather indifferent and self-centered father who has actually divorced from his first partner Kathleen (Millie Perkins). This leads J.P to tremendously distance himself from his 3 children, who now deal with their mother and her new hubby Mitchell (Richard Crenna). Despite the divorce, J.P preserves a separated cordiality with his ex-wife and her husband, along with minimal contact with his kids.

In an attempt to reconnect with his kids and compensate for his previous neglect, J.P welcomes them for a Mediterranean cruise for several weeks without getting approval from Kathleen. Throughout the cruise, the kids are skeptical, and their rapport with their daddy makes up misunderstandings and shared time. During the cruise, J.P attempts to fix up with his children, however his absence of parenting abilities and preliminary selfish propensities make the job harder.

Remarkable Development
The film takes a substantial turn when J.P gets the shocking news about Kathleen and Mitchell diing in a vehicle accident. All of a sudden, the kids are left with no parent however him. Consequently, the ill-prepared father needs to press through the pain and duty of the sudden loss he and his kids bear.

Resolution
He works towards building a relationship with his kids, who are dealing with sorrow and anger, both tributary of the loss of their mom and stepfather, and bottled-up sensations towards J.P. Simultaneously, J.P likewise deals with legal issues as he fights to acquire custody of his kids, facing opposition from Mitchell's sis (represented by Maria O'Brien). In the end, J.P must convince her and the court that he has altered and is capable of being an excellent dad to his children.

Critical Reception
"Table for Five" showcased an emotional portrayal of a daddy's journey from indifference, irresponsibility, and debauchery to responsibility, understanding, and love. Jon Voight's heart-rending performance made him a Golden Globe nomination, and Roxana Zal deservingly received the Youth in Film Award for her function. However, the movie got blended evaluations, with some critics declaring that the advancement of characters was not engaging enough.

Conclusion
To summarise, "Table for Five" is an intense drama that dives deep into the complexities of parenthood, duties, and 2nd possibilities. While it handled heavy topics and showcased commendable performances, the film suffered some criticism for its handling of plot information and character depth. In general, it remains a thought-provoking exploration of a dad struggling and aiming to sew together his damaged family.

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