Talk To Me Movie
Storyline
TAGLINES
Inspired by a true story
Never underestimate a man with something to say.
The true life story of Ralph Waldo "Petey" Greene Jr. In the mid-to-late 1960s, in Washington, D.C., vibrant soul music and exploding social consciousness were combining to unique and powerful effect. It was the place and time for Petey to fully express himself - sometimes to outrageous effect - and "tell it like it is." With the support of his irrepressible and tempestuous girlfriend Vernell, the newly minted ex-con talks his way into an on-air radio gig. He forges a friendship and a partnership with fellow prison inmate Milo's brother Dewey Hughes. From the first wild morning on the air, Petey relies on the more straight-laced Dewey to run interference at WOL-AM, where Dewey is the program director. At the station, Petey becomes an iconic radio personality, surpassing even the established popularity of his fellow disc jockeys, Nighthawk and Sunny Jim. Combining biting humor with social commentary, Petey openly courts controversy for station owner E.G. Sonderling. Petey was determined to make not just himself but his community heard during an exciting and turbulent period in American history. As Petey's voice, humor, and spirit surge across the airwaves with the vitality of the era, listeners tune in to hear not only incredible music but also a man speaking directly to them about race and power in America like few people ever have. Through the years, Petey's "The truth just is" style — on - and off-air - would redefine both Petey and Dewey, and empower each to become the man he would most like to be.
| Jim Annan | Tonight Show PA |
| Benz Antoine | Bar Patron |
| Matt Birman | Business Man |
| David Brown | Guard |
| Cedric the Entertainer | Waylon - hotdog guy |
| Don Cheadle | Ralph "Petey" Greene |
| J. Miles Dale | Program Director |
| Davidx | James Brown Fan #1 |
| Chiwetel Ejiofor | Dewey Hughes |
| Mike Epps | |
| Kamal Jones | Activist |
| Jeff Kassel | Teddy |
| Jim Malmberg | Johnny Carson |
| Erick Peterson | Protester |
| Kwame Rakes | Green Leaf Park Resident |
| Kasi Lemmons |
7.60 out of 10 (1755 votes)
Visitor Reviews
Wow
posted on 19 Aug 2009I laughed, I cried, I loved this movie! This movie tells the story of Petey Greene, a Washington DC DJ in the turbulent civil rights era of the 1970's. Petey was an ordinary guy, a truth-teller from the hood who got his stage on radio and made a difference in his community. Don Cheadle is a genius playing Petey Greene. But the story goes to Dewey Hughes, the guy behind the voice. It's a story about all of us who focus on others and drive for their success and when they let us down, or don't want what we want for them, we have to find what we want for ourselves. This movie is so good and so deep and so brilliant on so many levels. The writing, the directing, the acting, the story, the times, the history, the parallels. I'm so glad I went to see this film tonight. I was also in the music business for years and want to say that this movie is spot on to the music business, and the music is amazing! Thank you Kasi Lemmons!
Acting 101
posted on 30 Jul 2009While Don Cheadle is mesmerizing as the main/title character (based on a true story/man), the movie falls short of holding up to his quality. It's not that the other actors don't reach his enthusiasm or screen power/performance. It might be that the movie tries to be too general about things. One plot thread is resolved, just by a big (real) event that happens. Pretty easy way out I'd say, especially for a movie that should be more about confrontation (with a leading man like that).Another let-down is the fact, that the story rushes through things, packing them together and making them more "movie" like. True mixing with a bit of fiction, as I assume, which is not always a bad thing. It's called artistic license, doesn't it? Still you might feel cheated at the end of this movie and I'm here to (sort of) warn you
One of 2007's Better Efforts
posted on 16 Jul 2009When I first watched this movie in the theatre a couple of months back, I was certain I'd seen some of the year's best performances. Watching it again last night on DVD, I'm still certain of that, but equally I'm puzzled as to why this movie didn't do better in theatres? As well as the performances, it has a reasonably well written script, a compelling story based on a real life character, some well known actors and a sound track so good I went online and bought it the next day.Maybe I'm showing my age? It's based in the 1960's around the time of the Civil Rights Movement. I was just a kid but I remember it well, even from my viewpoint across the Atlantic. Audiences seem to cope fine with future fantasies, current times and history prior to the last fifty years, but recent history often seems to sink without trace. Bobby, set in roughly the same time period, also disappeared rapidly from theatre screens. Maybe it's only boring old codgers like me who find this stuff interesting anymore? Ralph "Petey" Greene, well played by Don Cheadle, was quite a character if this movie is to be believed (and there are those who say it shouldn't be believed too much.) An ex-con (he rather liked the term 'miscreant'), after getting out of jail he talked his way into a job as DJ on a Washington DC radio station WOL–AM at just the right time. Ratings were falling and the station was losing touch with its largely black, poor and urban fan base. Greene was blazingly honest, radical and a compulsive communicator. He spoke up on air about social injustice and racism, giving the station a hard time occasionally with the federal authorities who license the airwaves, but rapidly becoming a popular local voice for the African-American community at a time of enormous social upheaval and change. His Program Director Dewey Hughes (played by Chiwetel Ejiofor who was so good last year in Inside Man) apparently took a huge risk putting him on air but went on to become his manager. It has to be said the movie was written by Hughes' son, so may be very biased in his favour.The story takes us through the late 60's, the assassination of Dr Martin Luther King, the riots that followed, and into the 70's, complete with the fabulously awful clothes and haircuts of the time (I remember them all too well!) and the great music. Greene was instrumental in calming DC down after Dr King's murder in '68, talking movingly on air to his listeners as the streets burned outside. He introduced James Brown at a memorial concert the next night, and then went on to success on TV. Those at least are facts. I think...But like most interesting people, Petey Greene apparently had his demons. And that's where opinions diverge. According to the movie, drink and drugs caught up with him all too often. He had a tumultuous relationship with his girlfriend Vernell (lively performance by Taraji P Henson) and eventually split from Hughes. Greene's family has maintained that Talk to Me misrepresents him as a drug fuelled womanizer, and certainly I have no idea where the truth lies. What is known is that he died at 53, and over 10,000 mourners turned out for his funeral, still the largest gathering for any non-elected official in DC history, that Dewey Hughes is still alive and successful, living in LA, and apparently no one is talking to anyone else involved in this project.Which is sad. But it is nonetheless a pretty good movie, and it should have done better than it did.
This film caught me off-guard...
posted on 10 Jul 2009I had no idea what this film was about, and, not having been born until 1962, I had no idea who Petey Greene was or what he was about, but if Don Cheadle captured the essence of the man, he did a heck of a job! Here's what I got out of this film: First and foremost, Greene was a man who was NOT afraid to speak his mind. The second thing is that he was a person who had his finger on the pulse of the people. The last thing that stood out was that he was someone who wasn't afraid to go after what he wanted...not just the job, but even when he went on the air after the death of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, and asked for prayers from the people of Washington, D.C., not bloodshed and riots.The last part of this film that got my attention was the relationship between Petey (Cheadle) and Dewey Hughes (Chwetel Ejiofoir), which I felt that this film was angled at from time to time. It drifted towards the end from one to the other and more about Dewey and his rise than about Petey's fall.As a film buff, this one had my attention from the second the first frame started, and as something of the historical side, I'm not sure how accurate it was, but I can only hope that the real Petey Greene was as captivating as this film was.
Cheadle acts his @$$ off!
posted on 28 Jun 2009Is Don Cheadle the greatest living actor? Pauline Kael once wrote that very sentence after seeing a actor named Morgan Freeman in "Street Smart." I don't know if Cheadle is or isn't, but as I got to know his character Petey Greene in this film, I was thinking he did a better job rounding out a character of a DJ than either Robin Williams ("Good Morning, Vietnam")or Eric Boogisan ("Talk Radio.") For an actor to live in a DJ booth during critical parts of the film, that's high praise.Yet, Petey/Don does go outside the booth more than anyone especially seeing his beloved Washington D.C. burning after the MLK assassination. I haven't seen all of Cheadle's work, especially the nominated "Hotel Rawanda," but in the characters I see him create from the big time movie "Boogie Nights" to the fantastic and fantastically under seen rape drama "Things Behind the Sun," (and I'm probably missing more), he is one of the best actors in America, bar none, for creating real characters. Petey is one of his best, because we get to see him as a convict to civic voice to 70's almost-but-not-quite national celebrity on Johnny Carson's "Tonight Show" and all stops in between. I have never heard of Greene ever before in my life, but Cheadle creates such a vivid character,you feel as though he was a girl-hopping, street-smart, articulate, friend.Cheadle couldn't have pulled off the fine acting without fine actors around him such as Martin Sheen as the radio station boss,Tarj P. Henson as his outspoken and wild girlfriend, and of course, Chitwel Ejofor as the man who becomes his friend and manager after hating his guts. (Long story and a little cliché; but Ejofor is just as brilliant as I'm telling you Cheadle is.) I'm writing this months after seeing the film so I may have missed some good and bad points. Nonetheless, this film is the real deal, and one of this great actor's best roles.
Parts were interesting ...
posted on 25 May 2009I wanted to stop watching during the first 30 minutes due to boredom, but kept at it given the good reviews. I have mixed feelings about having continued.The strength of the movie consists of the clever dialog of "Petey Greene" and the fact that it is a historic biopic. Don Cheadle (Petey Greene) and Chiwetel Ejiofor do great jobs of acting, but the characters weren't really interesting. In fact, Petey Greene was mostly annoying and unpleasant to watch.I think the only thing I will take away from the movie are a few key bits of good dialog. The comments he made on the radio and at a rally after Martin Luther King was shot were interesting to hear. If you want to calm a city of full of anger and violence, his brief speeches (whether they were real speeches he gave or not) were pretty great. If you can just watch that segment (less than 15 minutes total), you might be better off than watching the whole thing.
Anachronisms aside ... "Talk to Me" works
posted on 17 May 2009In 2007 Don Cheadle was sorely under-used in the Adam Sandler vehicle "Reign Over Me" and given a role meaty enough for him in "Talk to Me". Unfortunately the former is likely to be the one most people will get around to seeing. It's a shame, because even though the fact-based drama of "Talk to Me" rearranges history to send its message, it has a lot to say about persevering over adversity and speaking one's mind. Cheadle stars here as Petey Green, an ex-con who sweet talks his way into an on-air gig at an R&B station in 1966's Washington D.C. Seemingly the originator of speaking the truth of the streets to the masses, his story is one seeped in alcohol and pushing buttons to get his way. The socio-political undercurrents of the film that tell its story between 1966 and 1984 are the most interesting and emotionally satisfying. There's a certain retrospective nature to the film that often feels like it's never really set in period, but more a civics lesson about an era, which is not necessarily a bad thing and doesn't really detract from the well-meaning story being told.
'Talk to Me' could say more
posted on 15 May 2009In the late Sixties a populist DC radio station called WOL was losing its audience when a newly released ex-con, Ralph Waldo "Petey" Greene Jr. (Don Cheadle), who had done a radio show for the prisoners, talked himself into a gig and became a local icon at a time when black was beautiful and the black local audience had to have somebody who could keep it real. Petey became such a notable figure--he probably influenced many who followed--because he couldn't do it any other way. He's a natural, and his roughness came when it was the voice people needed to hear.The middle man in this transformation of DC radio is the black program manager Dewey Hughes (Chiwetel Ejiofor) who sees Petey in prison when visiting his own inmate brother. Hughes is initially scornful, but Petey wins him over and he overrides the trepidations of the white station owner, E.G. Sonderling (Martin Sheen).Talk to Me is lively and hilarious in its early segments when Cheadle is almost all ghetto schtick. Even if the essence of the gate-crashing episodes was already blown for anybody who saw the trailer; even though it's not much more than spiced-up sit-com material (Ella Taylor wrote, "I felt as though someone had trapped me in a time-warped episode of 'The Jeffersons'"), it's still outrageous fun, and as a straight man, Ejiofor is fine because he gives Dewey Hughes such authority. It's a laugh, maybe a relief, to see the staid and gentrified Don Cheadle--the African humanitarian; the college roommate of Adam Sandler; the boon companion of Clooney and Pitt and Damon--get a chance to act down and dirty, rude and black. But the movie works at this point because of foils, starting with Dewey. Ejiofor and Cheadle are great together. The early scenes are all sharp and well paced.If only the movie could have maintained its opening level of energy and outrageousness, but it can't. At the center is the radio talk, and Petey's message is so simple that it doesn't go very far, not the way his on-the-air lines are written. Then Petey's story turns tragic. He's a small man whose rough life brought him down: he smoked and drank too much and despite his cockiness he had serious self doubts. Whether it was "being real" that led him away from rising beyond the radio station to become a national figure or just the same fear that hit him the first time he went on the air at WOL, Petey is no Richard Pryor. Why the comedy turns to a tragedy is a complicated internal story that might be developed better in a simpler, more articulate format--in a play. Cheadle does the decline of Petey Greene almost as well as he did the opening street-hustler schtick. You can hardly look at his face at times toward the end: its defiance has so clearly turned to defeat. But the movie feels lacking in unity.Did this even have to be a bio-pic--does it contain enough material for one? If the director, Kaci Lemmons, and the writers, Michael Genet and Rick Fumuyiwa, had had something more particular to say, things might have gone differently. Instead the movie, despite some strong scenes and consistently good acting, is uneven in tone and focus and style. The cinematography is a jumble of clumsy crowd scenes, fake video, sit-com style interiors, and extreme close-ups. The tone, as suggested, rambles from cocky and outrageous to earnest and maudlin. As a biography Petey's story is shallow and anecdotal--and the historical background, despite the strong emotional passage on the assassination of Dr. King--Petey's moment of true leadership--lacks depth and specificity too. Mostly it's history through clothes and hairstyles.As is the way of bio-pics, Petey's downfall is defined through a single episode, when Dewey Hughes gets him a chance to appear on the Johnny Carson Show and he completely blows it, embarrassing everyone. Petey almost runs off in the half hour before he's to go on camera, and we suspect he'll just get drunk, as he did before opening a James Brown concert right after the M.L. King assassination and DC riots he helped quell. When Hughes later declares that when he was growing up he learned everything from the Carson show about the world beyond the projects he lived in as a youth, that's another dead end in character development. And surely the downfall of Petey Greene was more complex than this.Cheadle's versatility is impressive of course, but Ejiofor is more interesting to watch after a while. As Petey's manager it's he who goes through the biggest changes, tonsorially and as it were morally: aside from changing moustaches and hair styles he goes from Oreo twerp to manipulative ass to full-fledged mensch. He socks Petey after the Carson debacle and they have a falling out, but they get back together and, though it's shown only in a single shot, we understand that he reconciles with his incarcerated brother too, whom he had treated rudely in an opening scene. A fine actor, Ejiofor is stunning in this movie. Even if her booty-shaking struts are standard issue, as Vernell Watson, Petey's faithful girlfriend, Taraji P. Henson (of Hustle and Flow) displays exceptional panache, especially in the early scenes. Cedric the Entertainer and Vlondie Curtis-Hall do good work as the other two black disc jockeys on WOL. But it can't be said that the movie itself has any particular distinction. This is yet another movie that comes down to a few good performances, and, as A.O. Scott has noted, "a fair number of funny, dirty jokes." As several writers have said, this is a potent reminder of a time when people listened to radio and when media voices talked back to power instead of being its mouthpiece. But you'll get a lot more of those funny, dirty jokes and insight into those times if you listen to a Richard Prior record.
Don Cheadle is the only reason to see this bland bio
posted on 25 Apr 2009Don Cheadle plays Ralph Waldo 'Petey' Greene and ex-con who became a DJ in Washinton in the 1960's who was known for "telling it like it is".Thats about it. Thats about the excitement level of the film. To be certain the film deals with social change and the relationship between Petey, his girl, the station manager and the world, but its completely uninvolving. I didn't care what happened mostly because I kind of could guess where it was going. Cheadle turns in his usual note perfect "why doesn't this man have an Oscar" performances, but thats all there is. Its Cheadle and only Cheadle in this totally forgettable biopic.Wait for cable
A Nutshell Review: Talk to Me
posted on 22 Mar 2009Don Cheadle's star is probably burning a little bit brighter now since the blockbuster hit of this summer's Iron Man had announced that he will take over Terrence Howard's role as Jim Rhodes given the latter being unable to agree on contractual terms with the studios. While Cheadle might be more familiar to audiences here as one of Ocean's 11 to 13, it was in Hotel Rwanda that made me sit up and take notice, playing a man caught in a genocide, having to protect his family, his friends, and his job all at once.In Talk To Me, Cheadle disappears into the role of real life Washington DC's finest on the radio, Petey Greene, who tells it like it is, without mincing his words, and in doing so, garners a huge following in the city, with this film directed by Kasi Lemmons spanning the 60s to the 80s. Cheadle gives a solid performance as the DJ, an ex-convict whose common man background strikes a chord with his listeners, and this film chronicles his rise to stardom and eventual fade out from the limelight.Sharing the limelight is Chiwetel Ejiofor as partner Dewey Hughes (quite hard to imagine that Ejiofor was once Lola in Kinky Boots), credited for giving Petey his big break into radio outside of the prison walls because of his needing a fresh voice and perspective to be at the helm of his radio station's morning show, which is suffering from plummeting listenership. And as they say, the rest is history. The bulk of the film centers on the friendship between these two personalities, with Hughes at the mid point, in seeing the potential to be milked from Greene to ascend far beyond the airwaves, convincing Greene to allow him to manage his career, therefore bringing about new opportunities from stage to screen.Set against the tumultuous backdrop of that era's US history, the primary theme in the movie though, was on something that you'd probably be able to identify with yourself. It is important to do things that you enjoy doing, rather than be forced to do something that you're unwilling, or unhappy about, despite reaping the rewards gained, be it for fame or money. As the movie goes along and as Greene's fame gets more widespread, there is something in his eye and response that he's not all too comfortable in being put under the spotlight all the time, and Cheadle brings out this subtleness with great excellence. I think some of us from time to time might have experienced how while you're good at something and are comfortable to remain in your own turf, that others who recognize your talent, might want to push you out of your comfort zone. If you think of it positively, it's opportunity to be gained, especially when you swim. If you sink however, then your confidence might be taken a hit, and it depends on your strength in character to be able to bounce back from defeat.Fans of soul music will have plenty to cheer as the soundtrack is nothing short of amazing given that it's set in a radio station for the most part. Wonderful performances all round and having a compelling story to tell, Talk To Me certainly is one of the gems this year that shouldn't be missed.
Great mixture of best humor and a great, real story
posted on 04 Mar 2009I just had the opportunity to watch this movie at a very first preview in Los Angeles and therefore some things I've seen might be replaced. They told us, that this was the very first screening (the director and some actors were present, too) and they are still working on the final things.However, I, as most of the audience did, enjoyed the movie very much. It has a great mixture of humor (especially the unbeatable Don Cheadle as Petey and his wife Vernell) combined with a very strong and breathtaking story of the time around the death of Martin Luther King Junior. Even if the story is really deep and not always funny, the director made it possible to view the life of Petey as a very special one, without losing the focus on his fascinating, humor-filled character.Whenever this movie comes out: Go to the theaters and enjoy - I will definitely go again to laugh and think about this great, special guy! PS: Die spouse of the director, Vondie Curtis-Hall, has a (supporting) role as well, even if he is not listed in here (yet?) on IMDb.
Excellent Movie
posted on 02 Mar 2009It was a truly memorable experience last night to watch or become part of this movie last night. The most important thing that I loved about this movie was the made it brought me into the film. I felt as if I was experiencing the 60s. I was born in 1973; therefore, this would have been ahead of my time. A well-crafted movie brought laughter, warmth and introspection to the viewer. I highly recommend this movie for the younger generation who seems to have lost touch with the struggle. I think the most sobering thought of this movie is realizing, although, there were many strides made in the 60s. How can we as a people be comfortable with our progress now? I felt saddened by the thought that we had these amazing people in the past who worked hard to achieve a level of equality for all. The only thing that we have managed to do in this era is shame people such as Martin Luther King, Jr., Medgar Evans and/or countless who were parts of that struggle. It inspired to look at what my contribution can be to Black America. We really need to have more people out there in fight such as Petey Greene.Wonderful movie.
Most of the people don't live in Georgetown.
posted on 22 Feb 2009My wife, before she was my wife, worked in Washington during Petey Greene's time on the radio, but had no idea who he was. Just as the many who live in Washington today probably don't know Tim Russert. This movie shows again the divide that exists in this country when two great men can die without the notice of a large segment of the population. The fact that 10,000 people can attend a funeral and most Americans cannot tell you who this man was is a shame.What really impressed me with this film was the understated way Don Cheadle played the role. He was perfect for the part, and Kasi Lemmons did a superb job of directing Michael Genet's story. I like Chiwetel Ejiofor, and he and Cheadle probably did the roles of their careers here. Taraji P. Henson (Hustle & Flow, Four Brothers) was also great as Petey's companion, and Martin Sheen was a real joy to watch as the station owner.After you find out about Petey Greene by watching this movie, you can always go to You Tube and see the real person. Isn't that great?
A must see film!!
posted on 14 Feb 2009I saw the screening last night and everything about this film is Great from the beginning to the very end!! Don Chedle is quickly coming one of the greatest actors of our generation!! He played Petey Green who ended up shocking the world with his straight forward pull no punches approach to radio. Petey was a man who told it like it was, straight no chaser. He said he would tell it to the young and tell it to the old...he would tell it to the hot and tell it to the cold!!! He was the voice of the people because he was not afraid to be bold and say things others thought...but refused to say.I loved the movie so much I am going to go see it again!! You "MUST" see this film!! It was so great that at the end of the movie the entire movie theater began clapping!! I have not seen a movie have an effect like that on an audience in a very long time. Complete strangers even stood outside the movie discussing how great the film was. We all felt that we shared a common bond after watching the trials and triumphs of Petey Green!!
Beautiful movie about an unique personality
posted on 02 Feb 2009I was not sure what to think when I started watching Talk to Me. It gave off an interesting style, but I wasn't sure it would amount to anything. Maybe I was afraid it would depend too much on the black rights subject matter. Immediate impressions aside, I soon found myself immersed in the movie. I was completely inside by the time of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s assassination. From there until the end, I felt for the characters and enjoyed the ride. It reveals some things about our culture that other movies are afraid to show, but not in a manner where the whole movie depends on it. The acting is phenomenal, especially from Don Cheadle as Petey Greene. He makes such a realistic, complex, radical-yet-modest radio talk show host. His emotions flow forth freely from the screen into the audience. Chiwetel Ejiofor also makes a notable appearance as Dewey Hughes, who becomes Greene's manager. The chemistry between these two main characters (and actors) is wonderful. The music editing is excellent and goes a long way to help put an emotional impact on viewers. There is plenty of comedy and equal amounts of tragedy. Towards the end, a point of reflection is achieved which sums up all the main ideas presented throughout the film. The plot itself has its ups and downs, but is ultimately satisfying.Talk to Me has all the attributes necessary to be a great film. Its structure is original and successfully melds comedy, tragedy, and drama together. Highly recommended if you have the opportunity to see it.
Soft Talk
posted on 17 Jan 2009Times are hard. It's the spring of 1967 and the tension culminated alongside the civil rights movement has not only reached its boiling point but is about to boil right over. When the movement's most prominent leader, Martin Luther King Jr. is assassinated, his messages of brotherly love and non-violent approaches to change are forgotten. Riots erupted nationwide in over 60 cities as an immense collection of anger was expressed through unrest and displaced ferocity. In Washington D.C., the city was calmed in part by the voice of one man, a radio DJ by the name of Petey Greene. His morning call-in show was the kind of success that unified its listeners and polarized both their spirits and convictions. Petey prided himself on staying true to himself and speaking that truth no matter what the consequence. The people responded to his frank honesty with devotion and respect. So when he went back on the air to talk the people of Washington down off their ledges on the night of Dr. King's death, it was the trust that had already been established that soothed the fire in the souls; they healed together. After that night, Petey's career was never the same. TALK TO ME, the new film by Kasi Lemmons, tells Petey's inspiring story. Only it doesn't so much tell it as manipulate it into a conventional narrative about shared friendship and separate dreams designed for maximum emotional impact.Petey Greene (Don Cheadle) is first discovered by Dewey Hughes (Chiwetel Ejiofor) as he broadcasts in prison. The two men are instantly placed in juxtaposition to each other in the context of the film. Petey may be in a literal prison but Dewey is in a prison of his own design. The two will need each other to break out and reach the heights of their potential but they must first get past their instinctual dislike for each other. From where Dewey stands, Petey is the kind of black man what gives everyone else a bad name by playing to type and giving into violent, illegal impulses. Meanwhile, from where Petey stands, Dewey has sold his soul to the white man, walking and talking like his white colleagues in an effort to hide his black skin as best he can. The irony is that they both feel that the other is doing a great disservice to the community and that they themselves are role models for the new black identity. Both actors give strong, commanding performances. Cheadle pushes his versatility further as the raucous button-pusher with a turn that is both volatile and reckless. On the other side of the glass, Ejiofor exhibits restraint and an internalized fire that gives his intentions away no matter how hard he tries to mask them. Both could be contenders come awards season if the words coming out of their mouths weren't so formulaic and plain.While Lemmons may not have made TALK TO ME into the socially telling film it could have been, she does manage moments of insight, tension and brotherhood. Most of these moments are found in the broadcast booths and offices of real life R&B music station, WOL. Prior to getting a job at the station, Petey had grown comfortable speaking his mind to whoever would listen. Whoever would, would always be limited in number. When finally faced with his first time at the mic, expectations are high. After all, Petey has the pressure of being a natural and he's never had to perform for anyone but himself before. He's also never had to watch his tongue before, but he, along with the station owners, soon learns that in order for Petey to be Petey, he's got to just let the words flow. That said, he also learns that a powerful voice comes with responsibility so in order to continue having that voice in such a public and corporate forum, he can only push the line so far. After all, no matter real the station tries to keep it, the white suits who run the show and sign Petey' checks have sponsors to answer to.It's a shame that a movie with such a funky soundtrack would be lacking in so much soul but TALK TO ME still manages to keep a solid enough groove to keep it alive. I just wish Lemmons had spent more time heeding Petey Greene's message, to keep it real because the truth is what people respond to above all else. Instead, the watered down reality of Petey's path to fame and examination of the relationships that got him there has been mangled and crammed into a pretty picture that the masses can enjoy. The story of a man who told it like it was is told here as politely as Hollywood will allow.
Extremely Entertaining
posted on 18 Dec 2008My husband and I saw this movie the day it premiered in Los Angeles. The movie trailer and buzz, plus the music, attracted our attention. We love all music from the 60s and 70s, and especially anything by James Brown. We've always lived on the west coast, so neither of us had heard of Petey Greene (Don Cheadle) or his manager, Dewey Hughes (Chiwetel Ejiofor). We did a little internet searching when we got home to find out Greene had been married, had children, and worked all his life as an activist for social reform by reintegrating ex-convicts back into the community and getting them jobs. All that wasn't important to the film but was interesting to know about Greene's real life. Lends more credence to the reason for his story being told. TALK TO ME is a well-made biopic that I'd highly recommend to family and friends.
The call letters, y'all…Talk to Me
posted on 28 Nov 2008Here is a biopic that knows what it is. Petey Greene, an ex-con with a voice, gets his chance to speak to a city and use his one true gift, the one thing he enjoys and is good at besides being a miscreant. Kasi Lemmons never tries to tell us about Petey or his manager Dewey Hughes' past history to get them to where we start the film. Besides what they tell each other, the film being shown encompasses the start of what would be a tight friendship until Greene's early death. Talk to Me is about the voice and the courage that these two men allowed to be given to the public during a time of change and political turmoil. Yes we are shown the rise and inevitable fall of a real-life person, but unlike most biographies that fail, this film doesn't dwell on the hard times, but instead decides to not really show them. One's fall from grace ushers the other's rise to glory, however, the two never forget what they did together. They never lose a grasp on the fact that neither would have been anything without the other.Petey Greene was the voice that united a Washington DC torn apart by Vietnam and Civil Rights. He said what producer Dewey Hughes didn't have the guts to say, but wanted to, and Hughes did what Greene was too afraid to do by himself. This is the dynamic of the film and the core of everything that transpires. The high points are because both are working on the same pace, doing what they do best. As for the low points, they occur when both can't handle the fact that they aren't doing it by themselves. Hughes wishes Greene was his brother, taking his gift for humor and public speaking and using it for good rather than wasting away in a jail cell. Greene wishes he could be more than the convict he is, but when given the chance by Hughes, he does what he is asked and tells the truth—that he is a criminal the world isn't ready for. Dewey was right about one thing, though, the world was waiting for a man like Greene; it was Petey who wasn't ready for the world.While I can't quite praise Lemmons for a successful biopic that never falls into the traps inherent in them, I can praise her craftwork. I mean the reason she doesn't fall flat on the downfall is that she refuses to show it. This works in one respect because she has another lead to carry the load once her first leaves the film, however, this act kind of subverts the whole story that is being told. It might be looked upon as an easy out, but nevertheless it does work on the level of keeping the story going without a lull of the same old tragedy we always see in these films. With that said, though, Lemmons orchestrates some amazing sequences. Between the pool scene where Hughes shows what he is really made of and the riots with subsequent radio broadcast post MLK Jr's assassination, we are given some very powerful moments. Sure these guys are a perfect fit for the comedic jabs, and there are plenty, but they are also very serious about the roles they have in media. No matter where they came from, they are able to stand up and unite the city in hope and make them realize that the destruction goes against all they have been fighting for.I don't know how the film could have succeeded without both Don Cheadle (Greene) and Chiwetel Ejiofor (Hughes). These two are powerhouses here and show why they are two of the best actors working in the business today. Pitch-perfect in both the high and low times, these guys never falter or disrespect their characters. Cheadle has the swagger and the attitude to show what Greene was made of, but also the emotional range to express the pain of his existence. It is not drugs or alcohol that commence his descent from glory; it is the lack of faith in himself as someone more than a street crook. His skyrocketing to fame was too fast and his friend's confidence wasn't enough to keep him going for gold. Whereas Greene looked to talk to his people, Hughes looked to take on the world. Thankfully, Greene's candor allowed Hughes to be able to open up and do it on his own. Ejiofor shows amazing range to make it all work. From his Johnny Carson imitation in order to fit in on the corporate world level, to his street roots mentality mixed with business savvy, to his alter ego radio voice (laughable "properness" at the start and coolly confident at the end), he plays all the personalities that Hughes needed to keep separate in order for his life to work.Those two guys of course carry the film. However, the numerous supporting roles help round out the drama at hand. Martin Sheen is priceless as the forward thinking radio owner, willing to get the right personnel to get back to the people, but still keeping classic "white" phrases as blue-blazes and hoodwinked in his vocabulary to crack up Greene. Taraji P. Henson shows how much she deserves to really get any part she wants. Ever since Hustle and Flow, I truly have enjoyed each role I have seen her play. A final note for Lemmons as director would be her ability to rein in some characters for small, yet crucial roles. Both Cedric the Entertainer and Mike Epps have the ability to go over board. With their small roles here, though, Cedric is very good as the somewhat over-the-top "Nighthawk" and Epps is fantastic as the brother that Hughes wishes he could have helped earlier on. All around, Talk to Me is a wonderful film to experience a slice of life that you may not remember or may have never known about.
Tell it like it is.
posted on 06 Nov 2008Some may want to argue accuracy; just enjoy this biopic of Ralph "Petey" Greene. Greene(Don Cheadle)went from ex-con to outspoken iconic radio personality that gave hope and instilled pride in the black community of Washington, D.C. when turbulent times were taking its toll. Friend and producer Dewey Hughes(Chiwetel Ejiofor), who also reached radio iconic status, ran interference trying to keep distance between "Petey" and E.G. Sondering(Martin Sheen), owner of radio station WOL. It was the 1960's and "Petey" Greene brought "T-Town" to D.C. with his no-holds-barred directness expanding social consciousness between doses of some of the greatest soul music in the land. Great soundtrack featuring the likes of: Otis Redding, James Brown, Sam & Dave, Barbara Lewis, Clarance Carter, Booker T. & The M.G.s and The Chamber Brothers.Also in the cast: Mike Epps, J. Miles Dale, Vondie Curtis-Hall, Cedric the Entertainer, Taraji P. Henson and Jeff Kassel. Kudos to director Kasi Lemmons.
great example how an informational/biographic/entertaining feature can deliver
posted on 23 Aug 2009this is recommended generally towards mature family viewing and especially to males.women, as a specific decade class, are very exceptionally defined here, however it all resumes towards Don Cheadle and Chiwetel Ejiofor ego fight and the human rights movement in America. this is a must see regardless of color or race not at least because is very thought full as much as entertaining.i am still getting around in getting used to Don Cheadle here. way different posture then in "hotel Rwanda" or "crash" and he just demonstrates his excellent mimic skills. the next already Denzel Washington . his expressions(both facial and body language), well expressed inner-thoughts within the dialogs to be delivered, and deep stares are giving the viewer very soul-full, sentimental and emotional intriguing thoughts, regardless if one , as individual, could or could NOT relate to the subject matter. Chiwetel Ejiofor delivers exceptionally as well,for his carrier this will be a major feature to be remember as well.it is a pleasure to watch them "fight it out" while they gain a greater and balanced respect for each other.there are some comic relief moments, very familiar funny sort of speak.the movie never looses focus and secondary plots are flowing VERY natural in defining better even the characters not so relevant to the main story. this is a great example of how cinematography can create "new" while keeping the "old". this has a great replay value, definitely worth for collectors!