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Talk to Me

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Talk to Me (2007)

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Reviews Counted:119

Fresh:96

Rotten:23

Average Rating:6.9/10

Consensus: A riveting look at the life of legendary DJ "Petey" Greene, Talk to Me goes beyond the typical biopic with explosive performances from Don Cheadle and Chiwetal Ejiofor.

Rated: R [See Full Rating] for pervasive language and some sexual content

Runtime: 1 hr 59 mins

Genre: Dramas

Theatrical Release:Jul 13, 2007 Limited

Box Office: $4,436,352

Synopsis: Academy Award nominee Don Cheadle portrays the one and only Ralph Waldo "Petey" Greene Jr.; Petey's story is funny, dramatic, inspiring – and real. In the mid-to-late 1960s, in Washington, D.C.,... Academy Award nominee Don Cheadle portrays the one and only Ralph Waldo "Petey" Greene Jr.; Petey's story is funny, dramatic, inspiring – and real. 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 (Taraji P. Henson), 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 (Mike Epps) brother Dewey Hughes (double Golden Globe Award nominee Chiwetel Ejiofor). 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 (Cedric The Entertainer) and Sunny Jim (Vondie Curtis Hall). Combining biting humor with social commentary, Petey openly courts controversy for station owner E.G. Sonderling (Emmy Award winner Martin Sheen). 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. -- © Focus Feature [More]

Starring: Don Cheadle, Chjwetel Ejiofor, Cedric the Entertainer, Taraji P. Henson

Starring: Don Cheadle, Chjwetel Ejiofor, Cedric the Entertainer, Taraji P. Henson, Mike Epps, Martin Sheen, Vondie Curtis Hall

Director: Kasi Lemmons

Director: Kasi Lemmons
Screenwriter: Michael Genet, Rick Famuyiwa
Story: Michael Genet
Producer: Mark Gordon, Sidney Kimmel, Joe Fries, Josh McLaughlin
Composer: Terence Blanchard
Studio: Focus Features

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Release:

Aug 16, 2009

[DVD Details]
 
 

DVD Features:

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Reviews for Talk to Me

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21 - 40 (sorted by date)
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unusually for a biopic, it is Petey's failure to change, from beginning to end, that forms an essential part of his lionisation.

Full Review Source: Channel 4 Film | comment Comment
11/15/07
Anton Bitel
Anton Bitel
Channel 4 Film

Worthwhile for the nostalgic appeal of the vintage costumes, retro afros and classic R&B soundtrack alone.

Full Review Source: AALBC.com | comment Comment
10/29/07
Kam Williams
Kam Williams
AALBC.com

Worth seeing for the superb performances from its two leads.

Full Review Source: ViewLondon | comment Comment
10/27/07
Matthew Turner
Matthew Turner
ViewLondon

A compelling portrait of a particularly tumultuous time in American history and how the media of the day adapted to and helped foster the many changes that were going on.

Full Review Source: Christianity Today | comment Comment
10/12/07
Brett McCracken
Brett McCracken
Christianity Today

constructs such a complete image of proud and passionate radio host Ralph Waldo "Petey" Greene that we immediately understand why the deep flaws in his personality could only have led to his downfall.

Full Review Source: Filmcritic.com | comment Comment
09/09/07
Sean O'Connell
Sean O'Connell
Filmcritic.com

Speaks powerfully to audiences with its potent blend of extraordinary performances and engaging soundtrack.

Full Review Source: USA Today | comment Comment
09/01/07
Claudia Puig
Claudia Puig
USA Today

Crackles with life and honesty in a way no picture I've seen in 2007 has.

Full Review Source: Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC) | comment Comment
08/29/07
Ken Hanke
Ken Hanke
Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

Despite its earnest attempts at power drama, the joy of Talk to Me lies in the comedy and the wild performances.

Full Review Source: Austin Chronicle | comment Comment
08/11/07
Toddy Burton
Toddy Burton
Austin Chronicle

...a showcase for two actors who deserve long careers ahead of them.

Full Review Source: Worcester Telegram & Gazette | comment Comment
08/10/07
Daniel M. Kimmel
Daniel M. Kimmel
Worcester Telegram & Gazette

This film's slightly uneven structure is easily overcome by the exceptional cast.

Full Review Source: Shadows on the Wall | comment Comment
08/09/07
Rich Cline
Rich Cline
Shadows on the Wall

...an epic metaphor for the African-American experience in the '60s, '70s and '80s.

Full Review Source: Sacramento News & Review | comment Comment
08/08/07
Jim Lane
Jim Lane
Sacramento News & Review

Cheadle, an always-dynamic actor, is compelling as he delivers Greene's no-bull radio talks and stand-up comedy routines.

Full Review Source: Salt Lake Tribune | comment Comment
08/03/07
Sean Means
Sean Means
Salt Lake Tribune

Cheadle (in an Afro wig and sideburns)and Ejiofor are good enough to merit Oscar consideration, but only as a tag-team.

Full Review Source: San Antonio Express-News | comment Comment
08/03/07
Larry Ratliff
Larry Ratliff
San Antonio Express-News

For all the wild controversy that Petey ignited in his time, Talk to Me ends up being as generic and watered-down as its title.

Full Review Source: Scene-Stealers.com | comment Comment
08/03/07
Eric Melin
Eric Melin
Scene-Stealers.com

The movie's occasional narrative shortcomings are offset by the performances, which are uniformly fine.

Full Review Source: San Jose Mercury News | comment Comment
08/03/07
Bruce Newman
Bruce Newman
San Jose Mercury News
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

The storytelling confirms the promise [director] Lemmons showed in the suspenseful Eve's Bayou, one of my favorite movies of the '90s.

Full Review Source: Charlotte Observer | comment Comment
08/03/07
Lawrence Toppman
Lawrence Toppman
Charlotte Observer

...half terrific movie and half run-of-the-mill biopic

Full Review Source: Arkansas Democrat-Gazette | comment Comment
08/03/07
Philip Martin
Philip Martin
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Engaging and enjoyable to watch, if not exactly as weighty as its subject matter.

Full Review Source: Las Vegas Weekly | comment Comment
08/03/07
Josh Bell
Josh Bell
Las Vegas Weekly

Has a distinctive and original voice that is rarely heard today.

Full Review Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel | comment Comment
08/02/07
Duane Dudek
Duane Dudek
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Talk to Me helps make the case that Don Cheadle may be one of the most important American actors working in film today.

Full Review Source: Deseret News, Salt Lake City | comment Comment
08/02/07
Jeff Vice
Jeff Vice
Deseret News, Salt Lake City
 
 
21 - 40 (sorted by date)
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October 26, 2007: CameraCinemas.com: The film captures the euphoric and daring, rebel music drenched energy that fueled radio culture back then, while also tuning in to the organic intensity of the times. Opens in new window
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