REVIEW: ‘The Kids Table’
Photo: The Kids Table stars, from left, Paul Stanko, Stefanie Woodburn, Edd Benda and Monique Thomas. Photo courtesy of Beyond the Porch Productions / Provided by Foundry Comm with permission.
Bridge is a card game that used to be one of the most popular enjoyments for couples and families, filling up empty space evening after evening. Today, the game is dwindling in popularity, with the average age of competitive players being north of 72.
These realities didn’t stop four young and aspiring bridge players to try their hand at the complicated game. Their journey into competitive bridge play is the subject of the new documentary The Kids Table, directed by Stephen Helstad and Edd Benda. In fact, Benda is one of the players profiled in the 72-minute film, along with Paul Stanko, Monique Thomas and Stefanie Woodburn. They are joined by two coaches: Samantha MacDouglas and Brian Reynolds.
Each of the four players has a different reason why they have dedicated so many hours to learning and mastering bridge. For some, it’s a nostalgic trip, while for others it’s the heat of the competition.
Their first outings are rocky, with many losses and poor decisions at the table. However, eventually this quartet finds its footing and begins to compete in regional tournaments.
Underlying their quest for the top spot is the sinking reality that bridge may be on its last legs as an American pastime. The players trend older, making these four competitors an anomaly in the convention centers where the dramas of competitive bridge play out. Also, speaking from someone who doesn’t play bridge, the game seems difficult to learn. There is a helpful tutorial with an accompanying graphic in the middle of the documentary, but it’s quite clear that it takes more than these assembled minutes to understand what’s going on. That is one of the reasons why the documentary can feel a bit distant; the audience, unless they play bridge, don’t fully understand the triumphs and setbacks of these players because they don’t know what’s going on.
Still, the personalities of the gamers is appreciated, and they certainly register with the viewers. Edd is dedicated and driven, analyzing what went wrong when a poor decision was made. Monique is a natural and tries to combine fun with the super-serious competitive play. Stefanie enjoys the friendship of her partners more than the game itself, but she is taken in when a winning streak occurs. Paul probably questions their commitment the most. He’s animated and theatrical (he’s an actor in his other life), and it takes a lot to convince him this is worth the effort. But he eventually comes around.
The Kids Table, released last year from Beyond the Porch Productions, is probably must-see viewing for bridge fans, but even general documentary lovers will not regret spending little more than an hour with these dedicated “kids.”
By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com
The Kids Table (2019). Directed by Stephen Helstad and Edd Benda. Featuring Benda, Paul Stanko, Monique Thomas and Stefanie Woodburn. Running time: 72 minutes. Rating: 
