Pay no attention to the “Tyler Perry Presents” pasted all over the ads for the new comedy “Peeples.”
It may be some of his money on the line, but fortunately, writer and director Tina Gordon Chism has made a nice little rom-com, and not the kind of lead-footed, ham-fisted camp comedies that have turned Perry into a gazillionaire. Although it’s not original, it’s a fun date night flick that you won’t be embarrassed to have seen.
Craig Robinson (The Office) is Wade Walker, a gentle bear of a man, but something of an underachiever, especially compared to his uber hot, smart and successful girlfriend, Grace, played by Kerry Washington (only in sitcoms and some movies does a schlub get the hottest girl on the planet, but, hey—this is all fantasy fiction, right?)
It seems that Grace has been practically hiding Wade from her wealthy Sag Harbor family. If these two are going to take it to the next level, then Craig must—he must—Meet The Parents! And that’s only ONE “Boyfriend Meets Folks” movie that “Peeples” steals from. And so, we have our set up.
Arriving at the mansion by bus, Craig immediately gets off on the wrong foot, being chased by a dog and losing his wallet (another gag set up) among other indignities. As the disapproving father, David Alan Grier (let’s not forget he’s a Yale Drama School grad) sets the tone—straight-faced and dropping deadpan lines that are quite funny. As two professional comedians in their past lives, Grier and Robinson have a good rhythm that’s fun to watch. The script can’t resist the temptation to go back to the well so often, but the scenes must have tested well, and if it isn’t broke, don’t fix it, right?
The film has universal themes, but acknowledges its unique African-American elements; When Wade sees a family portrait on the wall, he says they’re the “Chocolate Kennedys,” for example. There are many African-American touchstones, which will be particularly appreciated by those familiar with them—and yet, this is a film that anyone, of any color, could appreciate. Or not. The point is that what’s right or what’s not is not dependent on the race of the characters.
The ensemble cast consists of many veteran actors, all of whom turn in top-notch comedic performances. Among them, S. Epatha Merkerson, Melvin Van Peebles, and Diahann Carroll.
Have you seen this movie before? Of course you have—it fits the template of the many stories past and future of the genre. Does it make you chuckle and smile and leave the theater feeling fine? Yes it does.
“Peeples” is rated PG-13 and is playing in area theaters now.
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