In the new movie, Peeples, Craig Robinson (The Office, Hot Tub Time Machine) plays Wade Walker, a singing child psychologist ready to take the next step in his relationship. Head over heels in love with his girlfriend, Grace Peeples, (played by Kerry Washington) Wade has decided to propose. Only, Grace is out of town with her family for the weekend. Her family, that Wade hasn’t met yet. Wade decides to pop in on the family weekend, unannounced, and like the old saying goes, hilarity ensues.
Peeples is a great movie. Written and directed by Tina Gordon Chism and produced by Tyler Perry. The film is laugh-out-loud funny and touching. The script is reminiscient of Meet the Fockers with an urban twist. With a cast that includes David Alan Grier, Diahann Carroll, S. Epatha Merkerson, in a black romantic comedy; the film is prime for crossover potential.
AllHipHop.com sat down with Craig Robinson to talk about Peeples, his first starring role, as well as hip-hop (of course) and what it was like to play Kerry Washington’s boo.
Robinson is a Chicago native who most people know from his role as Darryl on The Office. In what started as a one-time role as a warehouse employee, Darryl and Robinson worked their way up to being an important and recurring character. Having been a “cameo” actor in so many big films like, Knocked Up, Pineapple Express, and Hot Tub Time Machine, this is Robinson’s first romantic lead. And, as a fan stated at the exclusive Atlanta screening, he’s definitely a different kind of lead man, a big guy, who according to her is also “tasty looking.”
That’s another aspect of the film. While it is funny, very funny. Laugh hard out loud funny. Repeat the jokes days later funny. It also touches on things that are distinctly black. Our sense of family, issues we deal with but don’t talk about, and how what’s beautiful for us (like a big, tasty looking man) is unique to us. That’s something that makes Peeples such a great film.
That’s another aspect of the film. While it is funny, very funny. Laugh hard out loud funny. Repeat the jokes days later funny. It also touches on things that are distinctly black. Our sense of family, issues we deal with but don’t talk about, and how what’s beautiful for us (like a big, tasty looking man) is unique to us. That’s something that makes Peeples such a great film.
Opening on the same day as Gatsby, which is sure to capture the box office, one can only hope that Peeples gets some shine, because it deserves it.
Tyler Perry Presents Peeples is in theaters today (May 10).