Common Sense Media Review
By S. Jhoanna Robledo
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Funny but formulaic comedy has some edgy content.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Peeples
What's the Story?
Wade (Craig Robinson) is finally going to meet his girlfriend Grace's (Kerry Washington) family, overseen by stern patriarch Judge Peeples (David Alan Grier). Yes, he's really a judge, and yes, that's how he prefers to be called. Wade wants to get off on the right foot because he's planning to propose, but just about everything goes wrong in this comedy co-produced by Tyler Perry. The judge is quick to rule that Wade isn't good enough for his daughter, and while Wade may have grounds for an appeal, he's got his work cut out for him.
Is It Any Good?
PEEPLES has the makings of a decent comedy, and it almost gets there. Everyone in the Peeples family seems to be hiding something: Grace hasn't told her parents about Wade, and Grace's sister hasn't explained all the details about her relationship with her best friend, Meg. Grace's mom has a substance abuse problem, her younger brother has a few unusual habits, and even Wade's brother isn't totally forthcoming about his background.
The movie's situations are funny, but they're not surprising. The acting is solid, the characters are mostly likable, and the pacing is good. But Peeples comes across as a good episode of a standard-issue sitcom. It's not a bad way to spend a couple of hours, and Robinson's Wade stands out as a decent guy who might have been played as a total fool in other romcoms. The Peeples aren't bad people, but the film doesn't really stand out.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the kind of laughs this comedy goes for. Is seeing people in awkward/humiliating situations funny?
What do you think about Grace's relationship with her father? Why does she keep secrets from him? Why do so many other people in the family hide things from him, too? What is the movie saying about the consequences of dishonesty?
Wade has trouble adjusting to the Peeples' home, where there are so many secrets and lies -- how would you feel visiting such a home?
Movie Details
- In theaters : May 10, 2013
- On DVD or streaming : September 10, 2013
- Cast : Craig Robinson , David Alan Grier , Kerry Washington
- Director : Tina Gordon Chism
- Inclusion Information : Black Movie Actor(s) , Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Lionsgate
- Genre : Comedy
- Run time : 95 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : sexual content, drug material and language
- Award : NAACP Image Award - NAACP Image Award Nominee
- Last updated : September 13, 2024
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