People are people. And people are just like the people we see in Peeples because people are "Peeples". That's one of the realities of life explored in this new family comedy from long-time screenwriter (Drumline, ATL), first time director Tina Gordon Chism.
Craig Robinson a.k.a. Darryl from The Office gets a chance to shine in his first lead role as the everyman Wade Walker, an aspiring children's counselor, who specializes in "musical therapy". When Wade decides to surprise his girlfriend Grace Peeples (Kerry Washington) by meeting her wealthy family (with the intent of also proposing to her), shocking events unravel before him.
The film's premise will remind you of movies like Meet the Parents and Guess Who. Some critics will see this film as a knock-off of those movies that "explored the genre better". Instead of Robert DeNiro vs. Ben Stiller or Bernie Mac vs. Ashton Kutcher, it's Craig Robinson vs. David Alan Grier. See? Knock-off"”case closed. But I disagree. It's doing what many movies do all the time"”take a familiar premise with the intent of doing something new with it.
If the film is a hit, it's because it follows the formula that made movies like Meet the Parents a hit. Tyler Perry's name on this project (he serves as a producer) will also be a factor. His name is one of the reasons why this film exists. Unfortunately, films with a large cast lead by African-Americans aren't made unless you have a name like Perry. That won't change until studios in Hollywood are confident that non-black audiences are eager to see movies with a cast like Peeples as they would with movies that have a cast like Meet the Parents.
If the film doesn't do well, it will be because of its overly familiar premise, archetypes and its inability to make something completely new with it. Showcasing an affluent African-American family with multiple character quirks isn't enough. Certain climaxes to certain character arcs fizzle out when it's supposed to bring more depth and weight to the film. That's partly due to having major plot points hurriedly and clumsily solved all in one scene. But if audiences flock to see this film, I'm sure Hollywood will be in a hurry for America to "Meet the Walkers".
