Peeples (Blu-ray Review)

22 Sep, 2013 By: Ashley Ratcliff

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Lionsgate
Comedy
Box Office $9.18 million
$19.98 DVD, $24.99 Blu-ray
Rated ‘PG-13’ for sexual content, drug material and language.
Stars Craig Robinson, Kerry Washington, David Alan Grier, S. Epatha Merkerson, Tyler James Williams, Melvin Van Peebles, Diahann Carroll.

The Peeples way is to expect perfectionism in all facets of life. This unrealistic moral code that Judge Virgil Peeples (David Alan Grier) has placed on his children has everything to do with why Grace (the ever lovely and versatile Kerry Washington) has been reluctant to introduce her boyfriend to the family.

Wade Walter (the aptly cast Craig Robinson) has been late to ride the success train, as he works with kids, singing silly songs and counseling youngsters. But all that really matters is his love for Grace. When she returns to the Hamptons for a family reunion, Wade shows up unexpectedly and uninvited to ask for Grace’s hand in marriage, thus setting into motion a comical weekend of discoveries, as he gets acquainted with the Peeples and vice versa.

Of course the stern father thinks Wade is undeserving of his Gracie (the clear favorite) and doesn’t waste any time letting the well-intentioned guy know this fact. Rounding out the Peeples tribe are an eclectic mix of characters who prove that they aren’t the picture-perfect image they project, including the secretly wild former singer mother (S. Epatha Merkerson), the closeted reporter daughter (Kali Hawk) and the intelligent but insecure younger brother (Tyler James Williams).

Peeples is as hilarious as it is heartwarming. And the film is very relatable in that just about anyone could identify with the types of “peoples” depicted. The Tyler Perry-produced feature is also a welcome change of pace that seems to depart from previous demonstrations of the stereotypical “black” family, instead showing a robust range of real people and situations.

Bonus material includes a cast and filmmaker commentary, insightful and charming “Meet the Peeples, Jam With the Fam” featurettes, and an outrageous gag reel that shows just how much fun the cast had on set.
 

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