Structured around a series of family dinners that spiral into chaos, Sunny Chan’s Hong Kong comedy Table for Six was a record-breaking box office hit on release, thanks largely to a charming ensemble cast. Most of them return for this highly anticipated sequel, also directed by Chan and conceived as a special lunar new year vehicle. While the first film was almost entirely set in a single apartment, number two is much more ambitious in scope: this time, instead of dinners, it is a series of weddings that escalates into a whirlwind of comical mix-ups.
Returning to their original characters, Louis Cheung and Charm Man Chan play half-brothers Bernard and Lung, who unexpectedly find themselves thrust into the chaos of planning a wedding with their long-time girlfriends Monica (Stephy Tang) and Josephine (Ivana Wong). Here, the regrets and uncertainties of middle age that permeated the events of Table for Six are now replaced with the brothers’ hesitation towards commitment. However, the sequel does not have the capacity to thoroughly explore this topic, instead jumping from one extravagant wedding location to another. Additionally, the mouth-watering food that played a significant role in the first film is noticeably absent.
To fill the void left by the absence of Dayo Wong in the sequel, Table for Six 2 introduces a new character, pop star Mark Gor (Jeffrey Ngai), as a potential love interest for Meow (Lin Min-Chen). However, this addition does not make up for Wong’s exceptional comedic timing. While the chemistry between the original cast helps improve the mediocre script, Table for Six 2 is a clear example of how a larger budget does not always equate to a successful film.
Source: theguardian.com
