Craig Robinson has always been one of my favorite comedic actors ever since he got his start on "The Office." In fact...while I know people think he's funny...I also think he is criminally overlooked in the comedy world. I also love David Alan Grier. I think that a lot of the time he's one of the funnier actors working today. In a world of Seth Rogen and Jonah Hill...I still think Grier stands out as one funny guy. I also like Kerry Washington. She is an incredibly talented actress who still has very far to go in her career. That's why it's so, so, so unfortunate to see them in such a strained comedy as Peeples. It's not that Peeples is a bad film. No, not at all. It's just that we had Meet The Parents, Meet The Fockers, Monster-In-Law,Guess Who and Little Fockers already. So why do we need another impress the parents film? It's such a cliche formula and this particular film's messages are even more cliche than the film itself.
In the film...Robinson plays Wade...a children's musician whose love for Grace (Washington) encourages him to be a surprise guest at a weekend getaway that Grace's family---the Peeples are hosting. The very first thing that happens when Wade shows up you may ask. Well...Wade gets viciously attacked by the family dog. This is just the first part in a string of sequences that makes Grace's father, Virgil (Grier) think that Wade is not a good fit for her. Wade does, however, get chummy with Grace's little brother, Simon (Tyler James Williams.) Simon sees a kindness in Wade that the rest of the family doesn't see.
The film does have a few funny moments---mostly due to Robinson's spot on delivery to the reaction of certain situations. Also...I wasn't particularly mad walking out of the theater. It's not like I saw Oblivion for a second time. However, the film is too overwrought in its message and too pleased with itself to the point when no one in the cast or crew is able to admit that they just haven't made a very good film.
Robinson is a major comic talent and will no doubt get a much, much, much better leading role someday. It's not that Peeples is an appalling film or anything...it's just that with all the talent involved....it could have been significantly better.
(2 out of 5 Stars, The film is rated PG-13 for sexual content, drug material and language)
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