Rob Peace
- January 22, 2024 (2024-01-22) (Sundance)
- August 16, 2024 (2024-08-16) (United States)
Rob Peace is a 2024 American biographical drama film written and directed by Chiwetel Ejiofor and starring Ejiofor, Camila Cabello, Jay Will, and Mary J. Blige. It is based on the 2014 biography The Short and Tragic Life of Robert Peace by Jeff Hobbs.[4]
The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival[5] on January 22, 2024, and was given a limited theatrical release in the United States on August 16, 2024, by Republic Pictures.
Premise
Yale University graduate Rob Peace, known as Shaun at the time his father was arrested for crimes he may not have committed, turns to drug dealing in order to get his father out of jail while maintaining other activities.[6]
Cast
- Jay Will as Rob Peace[7]
- Chiwetel Ejiofor as Peace's father[8][9]
- Mary J. Blige as Jackie, Peace's mother[8]
- Camila Cabello as Naya[10]
- Michael Kelly as Reverend Edwin Leahy[11]
- Curtis Morlaye as Tavarus Heston[12][13][14]
Production
In January 2019, it was announced that Ejiofor would direct the film (after Antoine Fuqua and his wife Lela saw his directorial debut, The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind).[15][16] In February 2020, it was announced that Stephan James would play Peace and Ejiofor would play Peace's father.[9]
In January 2023, it was announced that Jay Will would be cast as Peace.[7] In February 2023, it was announced that Mary J. Blige was cast as Peace's mother, Jackie. Blige also serves as the executive producer of the film.[8] Later in February 2023, it was announced that Camila Cabello was also cast in the film.[10]
Filming occurred in Newark, New Jersey, particularly at St. Benedict's Preparatory School, in December 2022.[11]
Release
The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival on January 22, 2024.[17] In May 2024, Republic Pictures, which is also handling worldwide sales, acquired North American distribution rights to the film, scheduling it for a limited theatrical release in the United States across 500 theaters on August 16, 2024.[18]
Reception
On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 76% of 41 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 6.6/10. The website's consensus reads: "Chiwetel Ejiofor acquits himself well as a writer-director with Rob Peace, a solid and steady drama that enlivens standard clichés with compelling performances."[19] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 60 out of 100, based on 14 critics, indicating "mixed or average" reviews.[20]
References
- ^ Gyarkye, Lovia (January 22, 2024). "'Rob Peace' Review: Chiwetel Ejiofor Crafts a Conventional but Stirring True Story of Talent, Struggle and Tragedy". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved April 4, 2024.
- ^ "Rob Peace". Sundance Film Festival. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
- ^ "Rob Peace". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved August 26, 2024.
- ^ Witherspoon, Patrice (January 31, 2024). "Rob Peace Review: Ejiofor's Sophomore Slump Features a Brilliant Performance from Jay Will". ScreenRant.
- ^ Lee, Benjamin (January 23, 2024). "Rob Peace review - Chiwetel Ejiofor's moving fact-based tragedy | Sundance 2024". The Guardian.
- ^ Penrice, Ronda Racha (January 22, 2024). "Rob Peace Review: An Ivy League Drug Dealer Leads a Dark Survival Story". TheWrap.
- ^ a b Grobar, Matt (January 30, 2023). "'Tulsa King's Jay Will To Topline Chiwetel Ejiofor's Second Feature 'Rob Peace'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
- ^ a b c Grobar, Matt (February 9, 2023). "'Rob Peace': Mary J. Blige To Exec Produce, Star In Drama From Writer-Director Chiwetel Ejiofor". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
- ^ a b Kroll, Justin (February 25, 2020). "Stephan James to Star in 'Short and Tragic Life of Robert Peace' for Fuqua Films (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
- ^ a b Grobar, Matt (February 22, 2023). "Camila Cabello Latest To Board Chiwetel Ejiofor's Sophomore Feature 'Rob Peace'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
- ^ a b Kuperinsky, Amy (December 27, 2022). "'The Short and Tragic Life of Robert Peace' movie filming in Newark with Chiwetel Ejiofor". NJ.com. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
- ^ "Curt Morlaye: Tavarus Heston", IMDb.
- ^ "Rob Peace", IMDb.
- ^ July, Beandrea (August 1, 2024). "'Rob Peace' Review: Risking the Future to Remedy the Past". The New York Times.
- ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (January 25, 2019). "Los Angeles Media Fund Sets Chiwetel Ejiofor To Direct 'The Short And Tragic Life Of Robert Peace:' Antoine Fuqua Producing". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
- ^ Bahr, Lindsey (January 21, 2024). "In the biographical drama 'Rob Peace,' Chiwetel Ejiofor reframes a life". AP News.
- ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony; Patten, Dominic (6 December 2023). "Sundance Unveils Packed 2024 Lineup That Includes A.I., Pedro Pascal, Kristen Stewart, Satan, Devo & Steven Yeun". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
- ^ Grobar, Matt (3 June 2024). "Chiwetel Ejiofor's 'Rob Peace' Acquired By Republic Pictures". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
- ^ "Rob Peace". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved August 19, 2024.
- ^ "Rob Peace". Metacritic. Retrieved August 19, 2024.
External links
- Rob Peace at IMDb