Don Cheadle as DJ Ralph Waldo "Petey" Greene Jr. in "Talk to Me."
(Credit: Michael Gibson/Focus)
- Running time:
- 118 minutes
- Rated:
- R
- Cast:
- Don Cheadle -
- Ralph ``Petey'' Greene
- Chiwetel Ejiofor -
- Dewey Hughes
- Taraji P. Henson -
- Vernell
- Martin Sheen -
- E.G. Sonderling
- Cedric the Entertainer -
- Waylon
- Director:
- Kasi Lemmons
- Genre:
- Biography, Docudrama
- Official Movie Web Site:
- http://www.focusfeatures.com/talktome/
- Movie Trailer:
- View Trailer
- Overall User Rating:
-
(1 rating)
Big question: Can director Kasi Lemmons tune us into this true story with her first feature since 2001's "The Caveman's Valentine"?
Catch it: Ooh, boy, this movie's got the funk AND the soul. Brought home by the infinitely versatile Cheadle, "Talk to Me" is an irresistible salute to an on-air voice that could unite the people and bring as much love for the man spinning the tunes as the man singing them.
Skip it: If you think only people with book smarts can get ahead in the world. As Petey tells listeners, he has an 8th grade education and "a Ph.D. from the streets."
Bottom line: The movie falters by suggesting that popularity didn't jive with Petey--who descends into alcohol abuse and shies away from listeners-- when in reality he still connected with the people even as his fame grew. But "Talk to Me" is a film that isn't afraid to believe in something and someone: a man unafraid of anger and the truth, who wouldn't let anyone else's words come out of his mouth.
Bonus: A lesson to take from Petey's first show: If you're looking to make a good first impression--on a date, on the radio, whatever--try to keep the burping to a minimum!
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