'Peeples' is clunky, but star Craig Robinson is entertaining
'Peeples' is predictable, but Robinson keeps many of the movie's gags from collapsing.
'Peeples' stars Kerry Washington (l.), Craig Robinson (c.), and David Alan Grier (r.).
Nicole Rivelli/Lionsgate/AP
A Tyler Perry presentation written and directed by Tina Gordon Chism, “Peeples” is a disarming and innocuous comedy about Wade (Craig Robinson), a professional children’s entertainer who crashes the annual family reunion of his high-powered lawyer girlfriend, Grace (Kerry Washington), at the family’s tony estate in Sag Harbor, N.Y.
The premise is that Grace, fearing the disapproval of her severely judgmental judge of a father (David Alan Grier), has been keeping her relationship with the underachieving Wade under wraps. All that changes when he makes his entrance at the reunion, with predictable results.
The slapstick is often clunky, but Robinson has a sweet jester’s disposition that keeps many of the gags from collapsing. Grade: C+ (Rated PG-13 for sexual content, drug material and language.)