Peeples
Wade Walker (Craig Robinson) may not be a blue blood, but he loves Grace (Kerry Washington), and he's eager to propose. Convinced that his best bet is to make his move while Grace's entire family is present, Wade boldly invites himself to her family reunion, and does his best to make a good impression. Over the course of an eventful weekend, he learns that he may fit in better with the dysfunctional yet well-to-do clan than he ever could have anticipated..
The film underperformed commercially against its moderate budget of $15.0M, earning $9.3M globally (-38% loss). While initial box office returns were modest, the film has gained appreciation for its fresh perspective within the comedy genre.
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Peeples (2013) reveals precise dramatic framework, characteristic of Tina Gordon's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 35 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.1, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Wade Walker
Grace Peeples
Virgil Peeples
Daphne Peeples
Gloria Peeples
Simon Peeples
Chris
Main Cast & Characters
Wade Walker
Played by Craig Robinson
A children's music performer who secretly follows his girlfriend to her family's Hamptons reunion, hoping to ask her father's blessing for marriage.
Grace Peeples
Played by Kerry Washington
Wade's girlfriend of a year who has been hiding him from her intimidating family, torn between her love for Wade and fear of her father's judgment.
Virgil Peeples
Played by David Alan Grier
A stern, successful federal judge and patriarch of the Peeples family who maintains strict control over his family's image and harbors secrets of his own.
Daphne Peeples
Played by S. Epatha Merkerson
The seemingly perfect matriarch of the Peeples family who uses alcohol to cope with the pressures of maintaining appearances and her husband's emotional distance.
Gloria Peeples
Played by Kali Hawk
Grace's free-spirited younger sister who embraces her unconventional artistic lifestyle in contrast to the family's uptight expectations.
Simon Peeples
Played by Tyler James Williams
The Peeples' only son who struggles with living up to his father's expectations while hiding his true identity and sexuality from the family.
Chris
Played by Malcolm Barrett
Wade's supportive best friend and roommate who offers comedic advice and encouragement throughout Wade's romantic pursuits.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Wade Walker performs as a children's entertainer "Captain Fantastic," establishing his genuine, kind-hearted nature but unsophisticated career. He's content in his simple life with Grace.. Structural examination shows that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 11 minutes when Grace departs for the Peeples family reunion without Wade, leaving him hurt and confused. Wade decides he will crash the event and propose to Grace.. At 12% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 23 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 24% of the runtime. This illustrates the protagonist's commitment to Wade arrives at the Peeples' lavish estate in Sag Harbor and enters their world. He meets the intimidating Judge Virgil Peeples and discovers Grace's double life. He commits to staying despite the hostile reception., moving from reaction to action.
At 48 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 51% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Notably, this crucial beat Wade has a breakthrough moment bonding with the family members individually. He helps Simon gain confidence and connects with Grace intimately. False victory: he seems to be winning them over, but the lies between him and Grace remain unaddressed. Stakes raise as Virgil's opposition intensifies., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 70 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, The engagement ring is discovered prematurely, triggering explosive confrontation. All family secrets are revealed publicly, including Virgil's own hypocrisy about his past. Wade and Grace have devastating fight about honesty. Wade is rejected and humiliated, and the relationship appears dead., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 76 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Wade realizes his worth isn't determined by Virgil's approval or Grace's family's acceptance. Nana or other family members provide wisdom. Grace decides to stand up to her father and chooses authenticity over pleasing Virgil., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Peeples's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs structural analysis methodology used to understand storytelling architecture. By mapping Peeples against these established plot points, we can identify how Tina Gordon utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Peeples within the comedy genre.
Tina Gordon's Structural Approach
Among the 2 Tina Gordon films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 6.9, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. Peeples represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Tina Gordon filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Bad Guys, Ella Enchanted and The Evening Star. For more Tina Gordon analyses, see Little.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Wade Walker performs as a children's entertainer "Captain Fantastic," establishing his genuine, kind-hearted nature but unsophisticated career. He's content in his simple life with Grace.
Theme
A character comments on authenticity and being true to oneself, foreshadowing the film's central conflict about pretense versus genuine identity.
Worldbuilding
Wade's relationship with Grace is established as loving but with secrets. Grace reveals she's going to the Hamptons for family reunion without inviting Wade, showing the divide between her two worlds.
Disruption
Grace departs for the Peeples family reunion without Wade, leaving him hurt and confused. Wade decides he will crash the event and propose to Grace.
Resistance
Wade prepares for his surprise trip to Sag Harbor, buying an engagement ring and rehearsing his proposal. He debates whether this is the right move but commits to proving his love.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Wade arrives at the Peeples' lavish estate in Sag Harbor and enters their world. He meets the intimidating Judge Virgil Peeples and discovers Grace's double life. He commits to staying despite the hostile reception.
Mirror World
Wade connects with Nana Peeples, the wise grandmother who sees through the family's pretenses and appreciates Wade's authentic nature. She becomes his ally and thematic guide.
Premise
Wade experiences fish-out-of-water comedy trying to fit in with the elite Peeples family. Series of humiliating mishaps as he attempts to win over Virgil while discovering family secrets: Simon's hidden sexuality, Gloria's drinking problem, and cracks in the perfect facade.
Midpoint
Wade has a breakthrough moment bonding with the family members individually. He helps Simon gain confidence and connects with Grace intimately. False victory: he seems to be winning them over, but the lies between him and Grace remain unaddressed. Stakes raise as Virgil's opposition intensifies.
Opposition
Virgil actively works to undermine and humiliate Wade. Family secrets become harder to contain. Grace's lies to both Wade and her family create mounting pressure. Wade's insecurities intensify as he realizes the depth of Grace's deception.
Collapse
The engagement ring is discovered prematurely, triggering explosive confrontation. All family secrets are revealed publicly, including Virgil's own hypocrisy about his past. Wade and Grace have devastating fight about honesty. Wade is rejected and humiliated, and the relationship appears dead.
Crisis
Wade processes the loss, questioning his self-worth and whether he was ever good enough. Grace confronts her own dishonesty and her father's controlling damage. The family fragments in the aftermath of revealed secrets.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Wade realizes his worth isn't determined by Virgil's approval or Grace's family's acceptance. Nana or other family members provide wisdom. Grace decides to stand up to her father and chooses authenticity over pleasing Virgil.
Synthesis
Wade returns or makes grand gesture proving his love and self-worth. Grace publicly chooses Wade and her authentic life. Virgil has transformation, learning to accept imperfection and express love. Family reconciles, embracing honesty and acceptance. Wade and Grace reunite, fully honest with each other.
Transformation
Wade and Grace together, fully integrated and honest. The Peeples family is shown genuinely accepting and relaxed, contrasting with their rigid perfectionism from the opening. Wade is embraced as family, no longer needing to prove himself.