Spoiler Alert: This summary and review contains spoilers.
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Plot Summary
Robert DeShaun Peace was born and raised in East Orange, NJ, and from a young age, he was brilliant. It first showed through how he did calculations in his head while talking with his father, Skeet, about baseball statistics. Thanks to his mother’s Jackie sacrifices, it continued at St. Benedects Prep, and he ended up in Yale.
But, plaguing Rob throughout all this is his father being accused of murdering two women and, being a dutiful son, Rob trying to balance getting his dad out of jail with his studies and working. Eventually, something had to give, and with Rob trying to help his father, his mother, and his community, he takes on means he knows work but are high risk and increasingly has to worry about paying the price for taking a shortcut.
Content Information
- Dialog: Cursing
- Violence: Gun Violence
- Sexual Content: Sexual Situations (Implied)
- Miscellaneous: Drinking, Drug Use, Smoking
General Information
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Director(s) |
Chiwetel Ejiofor |
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Screenplay By |
Chiwetel Ejiofor |
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Based On Work By |
Jeff Hobbs |
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Date Released |
January 25, 2024 |
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How To Watch |
Film Festival – Sundance |
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Genre(s) |
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Film Length |
1 Hour 59 Minutes |
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Content Rating |
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Noted Characters and Cast |
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Rob Peace |
Jay Will |
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Skeet |
Chiwetel Ejiofor |
Character Descriptions
Please Note: This character guide is not an exhaustive list of every cast member, and character descriptions may contain what can be considered spoilers.
Rob Peace (Jay Will)
Brilliant since he was a child, Rob’s focus on math and science got him into Yale, and seemingly the world was his oyster. However, his love for his father, knowledge of marijuana, and how it could be lucrative, derailed him more than once, to the point of you wondering if he is book smart but may lack the kind of intelligence needed to get to where everyone needs and wants him to go.
- The actor is also known for their role in “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.”
Skeet (Chiwetel Ejiofor)
A lover of baseball, Skeet was a decent guy. Far from perfect, by no means a saint, but he was decent. This is why when he allegedly murdered two people, there was skepticism on whether he did it or not. But, thankfully for him, Rob defended him to the best of his abilities.
- The actor is also known for their role in “The Old Guard.”
Collected Quote(s)
I’m not about to keep my guard up if nobody’s swinging.
— Rob
Review
Highlights
How Brilliant Stars Fade
For a lot of people who grow up in urban areas, the idea is always you will outgrow this place, move on, and do great things. The idea of giving back, while still living in that environment, isn’t something pushed. So, to see Rob be so dedicated to his hometown, wanting to buy and build up the block, and it sounding like he isn’t trying to gentrify it, get rich, but just give people a better quality of life, and not have to go far to have it? Truly, it makes every setback, every time it is clear Rob’s good intentions won’t be rewarded, devastating.
The Father/Son Dynamics
Skeet and Rob’s relationship adds to you wanting Rob’s brilliance rewarded. His dad, who treated him well, made sure he felt included and got a sense of community, went to jail and for a month, because Rob is so smart, he was able to get him out. Mind you, without a law degree and with a kind judge but, it’s that bond where you can see a dad go from superman to vulnerable that makes their relationship so sweet.
Now, granted, there comes a point where Skeet becomes reliant on his son for hope and to fight for him when his hope is fading, which causes issues. However, what closer bond can there be than between a child and their parent and, while we don’t learn a lot about Skeet’s past, someone coming through as Rob did? That isn’t common and creates the kind of love that can flip a parent/child relationship.
On The Fence
At Times, You’ll Wonder Where This Is Going
One of our struggles with “Rob Peace” isn’t the pacing, but just feeling like we’re in a loop to the point of questioning was this really based on a true story? For as Rob gets in and out of dealing drugs, when things get progressively worse with Skeet, and it just feels like you are watching a runaway train that sometimes slows down because it is going uphill, you’re left wondering how this may end?
It’s a two-hour movie, and while you’ll likely love Rob’s story, his relationship with his college girlfriend, dad, and his mom, even as he gets older, his environment changes, and he seems to evolve and learn from his lessons, you’ll come to the point of asking how and when are they going to wrap this up?
Recommendations
Good If You Like
- Close father/ son relationships
- Brilliant young man who don’t forget where they come from
If You Like This Movie, We Recommend:
- In The Summers
- Exhibiting Forgiveness
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