Table for Five

J.P. Tannen, an estranged father and former pro golfer, decides to take his three children on a Mediterranean cruise to reconnect and show he has changed. He hopes Kathleen will believe in the transformation, even as she remains unconvinced. The plan kicks off a voyage that will test his resolve to become a more present parent.

From the outset, Tannen is preoccupied with the prospect of meeting women, often leaving the children to entertain themselves. He secretly reserves a dining table for five, hoping to fill the fifth seat with an adult companion. The dynamic underscores his struggle to balance paternal duties with personal urges.

Rome, the first port of call, offers a moment of warmth as the family bonds in a lighter mood. Marie, a French archaeologist, is impressed by Tannen's seemingly caring interactions with his children. For a brief moment, the trip seems to have rekindled a family connection.

While en route to the next destination, Kathleen has died in New York while taking the family dog to the vet. Grief-stricken, Tannen meets Kathleen's husband? Mitchell in Athens and learns that the burial has been arranged and the children will be escorted home for a memorial service. The news forces him to confront the reality of losing his wife and taking responsibility for the kids.

Back on land in Cairo, Tannen and Mitchell's conversations turn toward custody. Tannen reveals he is considering pursuing full custody, and Mitchell warns him about his past as an absentee parent. The exchange lays bare the stakes of remaining in the children's lives.

Tannen opens up to Marie about how little time he has spent with his children, confessing his fears of failing as a father. Marie chooses to stay close and becomes part of the family unit on their journey toward the pyramids. The candid moment deepens the emotional weight of the voyage and foreshadows a more involved fatherhood.

At the Pyramids, Tannen finally tells the children about their mother's death, breaking down as they absorb the news. The revelation devastates them, shattering the fragile progress the trip had made. The moment crystallizes Tannen's resolve to be more present, even as they mourn.

In Tunis, Trung disappears, slipping away by boat in an attempt to reach the U.S. He has a history of running away, a fact that Tannen had not fully understood. After a frantic chase through a bustling marketplace, they catch him and press him to open up about his fears and needs.

Mitchell waits in Genoa, ready to take the children back to the United States. Tannen informs him that he is keeping them, and to prove his commitment, lists the children's friends and teachers to demonstrate how involved he intends to be. The exchange marks a decisive turn in the battle for custody.

The confrontation reaches a turning point as Tannen openly commits to being present and involved in the kids' lives. He vows to attend school events, know their friends and teachers, and actively participate in their day-to-day world. The tone shifts from mere presence to genuine involvement.

Marie’s supportive presence reinforces the new family dynamic, offering emotional stability as the children adjust to their changed circumstances. Her involvement helps the family move from tension toward tentative healing. The ship's voyage thus becomes a catalyst for deeper connections.

As the journey concludes, Tannen’s commitment to staying together is solidified. He resolves to be a true father rather than a temporary friend, ensuring the children feel secure and supported. The cruise ends with a hopeful note that the family will continue forward united.