Peep World

Peep World tells the story of a dysfunctional group of siblings whose lives have been torn apart by a wildly popular biographical novel penned by their youngest brother.  As their wealthy father’s birthday approaches, the brothers and sisters are brought together to face one another in a new light.  The film spends the majority of its time spasmodically jumping from one character to the next like a drugged-up grasshopper while entire subplots are left unresolved for substantial lengths of time.  All things considered, only one or two are even worth watching. 

Director Barry Blaustein mercifully allows his talented stable of actors to bring their own unique personalities to each character.  Michael C. Hall successfully manages to suck the life out of every scene he’s in; Rainn Wilson, on the other hand, channels a slightly more competent (but equally dense) version of Dwight Schrute into his role as a rehabbed attorney with serious money problems.  And then there’s Sarah Silverman, and she is the best thing here—in every scene she manages to exude an unparalleled bitchiness that can only result from years and years of practice.

Peep World is certainly a comedy, but it isn’t as mature as I had hoped.  Truthfully, the funniest moments involve an overpowered erectile dysfunction treatment and a public book reading.  That’s about what I expected from a director whose previous work includes a Johnny Knoxville film about cheating at the Special Olympics.  Don’t get me wrong; Blaustein’s attempts at sincerity seem well intentioned, but Peep World never really finds a strong footing before the credits roll.