Today’s Prayer Focus
MOVIE REVIEW

Peeples

also known as “Tyler Perry Presents Peeples,” “We the Peeples,” “Tyler Perry Presents We the Peeples”
MPA Rating: PG-13-Rating (MPA) for sexual content, drug material and language.

Reviewed by: Brian C. Johnson
CONTRIBUTOR

Moral Rating: Offensive
Moviemaking Quality:
Primary Audience: Teens Adults
Genre: Comedy
Length: 1 hr. 35 min.
Year of Release: 2013
USA Release: May 10, 2013 (wide—2,041+ theaters)
DVD: September 10, 2013
Copyright, Lionsgateclick photos to ENLARGE Copyright, Lionsgate Copyright, Lionsgate Copyright, Lionsgate Copyright, Lionsgate Copyright, Lionsgate
Relevant Issues
Copyright, Lionsgate

difficult family relationships

snobbishness

pretentiousness

pride vs. humility

TRUE LOVE—What is true love and how do you know when you have found it? Answer

Sex, Love and Relationships
Learn how to make your love the best it can be. Discover biblical answers to questions about sex, marriage, sexual addictions, and more.
Lesbian

GAY—What’s wrong with being gay? Answer
Homosexual behavior versus the Bible: Are people born gay? Does homosexuality harm anyone? Is it anyone’s business? Are homosexual and heterosexual relationships equally valid?

What about gays needs to change? Answer
It may not be what you think.

Read stories about those who have struggled with homosexuality

Featuring Kerry Washington
Craig Robinson
Tuffy Questell … Taxi Driver
Ana Gasteyer … Mayor Hodge
Tyler James Williams … Simon Peeples
David Alan Grier … Virgil Peeples
S. Epatha Merkerson … Daphne Peeples
See all »
Director Tina Gordon Chism
Producer 34th Street Films
Peeples Productions Inc.
See all »
Distributor Distributor: Lions Gate Entertainment Corp. Trademark logo.Lionsgate (Lions Gate Entertainment Corp.)

“Not everyone is a Peeples person.”

“Speak it, don’t leak it!”

These words, penned by Wade Walker, a would-be child psychologist, were designed to help kids overcome urinary accidents, but they speak to a much larger truth for the characters of The Peeples who each wrestle with hidden secrets.

Wade (Craig Robinson) has been dating Grace Peeples (Kerry Washington — “Ray,” “Django Unchained”) for over a year, but has yet to meet her family. When Grace goes home to visit her family, Wade decides to surprise her at their summer home in the Hamptons. Wade plans to propose marriage to Grace, but he has to get the approval of Grace’s father, Virgil Peeples (David Alan Grier), a federal judge who has set standards of perfection for his entire family. No one can meet his expectations, not his wife, Daphne (S. Epatha Merkenson), his other daughter, Gloria (Kali Hawk—“Bridesmaids,” “Couples Retreat”), his son, Simon (“Everybody Hates Chris” star Tyler James Williams); only Grace seems to meet his approval, and there is NO WAY Wade is going to get Daddy’s blessing, despite his many attempts to impress the judge.

Robinson has played a supportive role in numerous box office hits with objectionable content (“Hot Tube Time Machine,” “Pineapple Express,” “Zack and Miri…”), and it is a relief to see his first leading role be in a film that shows some restraint. That is not to say that “Peeples” is without adult themes and language, but the content is nowhere near what Robinson’s films usually portray. In the role of Wade, Robinson plays a sympathetic hero who wears his heart on his sleeves; he is in love with Grace and has no problem showing it to the world. Grace, unfortunately like many of her family members, has several skeletons in her closet and she is not prepared to introduce Wade to the scrutiny of her family members. No nudity is shown, but there is certainly a steady stream of sexualized content; Wade and Grace have a sexual relationship, sister Gloria Peeples has a secret lesbian relationship, and father Virgil is a member of an underground nudist colony.

PURITY—Should I save sex for marriage? Answer

LESBIAN—What’s wrong with being gay? Answer

NUDITY—Why are humans supposed to wear clothes? Answer

This is a funny movie, and it speaks to the importance of family. Additionally, the themes of truth and honesty in relationships are recurring themes. Sadly, everyone except Wade seems to be leading some sort of double life.

Tyler Perry of “Madea” fame has used his considerable fan base to introduce a blossoming writer and director, Tina Gordon Chism, to the world. “Peeples” marks her debut as a writer and director. She actually does a fantastic job; the story is believable (certainly a bit over the top comedically, but it’s too be expected when you’ve got David Alan Grier attempting to play the straight-laced Judge Peeples). With cameos from Melvin Van Peebles and the stunning Diahann Caroll as the elders of the Peeples clan, “Peeples” is a respectable first time showing. In many ways, Perry could learn some lessons from his young protégé.

Violence: Minor / Profanity: Moderate to heavy—“Oh G*d” (2), “My G*d,” “What in G*d’s name,” hell (2), damn (6), s-words (5), “b**bies,” “*ss” (8)—incl. 3 “*ss-h*le,” “d*ck” (4), etc. / Sex/Nudity: Moderate

See list of Relevant Issues—questions-and-answers.


Viewer CommentsSend your comments
Positive

none

Negative
Negative—I am a fan of Tyler Perry, but this movie was wrong on so many levels. My spirit was truly disturbed by some of the scenes as well as some of the points made in the movie. As a follower of Christ, I wouldn’t recommend for anyone to see this movie.
My Ratings: Moral rating: Very Offensive / Moviemaking quality: 4
Rulanda, age 38 (USA)
Negative—Beautiful people and acting, but what a disappointment. Glorified immorality, language, suggestive scenes and weak message of repentance in lies and family ties. Thinking this movie that got worse as it went on, could redeem itself… never really happened. I found practically no humor to laugh at, either. What troubles me is the PG “13” rating!!! Are we beyond doing anything?
My Ratings: Moral rating: Very Offensive / Moviemaking quality: 4
Mary C, age 64 (USA)
Negative—This film was absolutely horrible! I didn’t even hang around for the bloopers at the end. I should have walked out. It is scary to think that we as Christians feel that having gay/lebian scenes is okay. I am no longer a Tyler Perry fan. I will never go see another movie or play of his. I am waiting to see if this was just an introduction of his “true” self, and if he (Tyler Perry) is about to come out of the closet! Very disappointing!! God was not pleased either, and Tyler better not say, God was in this movie or is okay with it, because He was not! Read Romans 12:2.

I love the Lord, and it’s time for “us” to take a stand not just against homosexuality, but all sin. You have to choose one or the other, Satan or God. Heaven or hell! God is love, but He hates sin, and that’s where most people get it twisted! The same hell murderers, thieves, liars, drunkards, fornicators, etc. go to, is the same hell, gays and lesbians go to. It’s not about judging anyone, it’s about taking a stand.

The only time anyone wants to hear what you have to say about this topic, is when you agree with them. But I DON’T agree with homosexuality, but we as Christians have to understand that we win them over by love, not bashing them. But, it’s time to take a stand, because God is not pleased, and time is winding up!
My Ratings: Moral rating: Extremely Offensive / Moviemaking quality: 2
Ijustwantheaven, age 28 (USA)
Negative—Tyler Perry is your brand, and that is what we expect. Seems as though you gave Tina Chism a handup. I knew there was no way possible you could have written garbage like that. You know your fan base, and having your name stamped to “Peeples” was straight wrong.
My Ratings: Moral rating: Very Offensive / Moviemaking quality: none
Anastasia Ducheia, age 37 (USA)
Negative—This is a very disappointing movie with Tyler Perry’s name associated with it. I thought it would be a funny, family-friendly film, but it was not. Glorification of perversion in any form is not good—innuendo of fornication and a homosexual scene place this film in the do not watch again pile.
My Ratings: Moral rating: Very Offensive / Moviemaking quality: 2
Catherine, age 46 (USA)

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