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Parents' Guide to

Peep World

By S. Jhoanna Robledo, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 17+

Flawed family comedy has plenty of conflict, little point.

Movie R 2011 89 minutes
Peep World Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

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What's the Story?

It's his father's 70th birthday, and Nate Meyerwitz (Ben Schwartz) has just written a successful novel that trades on the quirks and struggles of his real-life siblings: ultra-responsible Jack (Michael C. Hall), tightly wound and perpetually wounded Cheri (Sarah Silverman), and always-struggling Joel (Rainn Wilson). All of them are flawed in their own idiosyncratic ways, and all of them have serious issues with their domineering father, Henry (Ron Rifkin). It's certainly a recipe for a contentious family dinner.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say Not yet rated
Kids say (1 ):

PEEP WORLD is a good example of how a great storytelling device sometimes just isn't enough. The novel at the center of the plot is meant to be a time bomb, yet when that bomb explodes (metaphorically speaking) we don't really feel it. The movie is inert nearly the entire way through, despite a cast stocked with both talented and wickedly funny (or both) actors -- including the Emmy Award-winning Hall, the always funny Wilson, and the bombastic Silverman.

Even Henry's birthday dinner feels curiously unexciting, even though it's meant to be where everything comes to a head. It just goes to show: Despite the technology and hyper-awareness about the art and business of film, movie-making still involves alchemy. When it works, it's genius. When it doesn't, it's Peep World.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how the movie portrays the main family. Why is everyone so angry? Do you think this seems like a realistic family conflict? How does your family handle disagreements?

  • How does the movie depict parents? Is Henry a good father? Would you consider anyone in the movie a positive role model?

  • Who do you think this movie is intended to appeal to? How can you tell?

Movie Details

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