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Don Cheadle, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Cedric the Entertainer, Taraji P. Henson, Mike Epps ... see more see more... , Martin Sheen , Vondie Curtis-Hall , J. Miles Dale , Sean MacMahon , Jeff Kassel

Don Cheadle stars as outspoken ex-convict and iconic radio personality Ralph Waldo "Petey" Greene in a powerful biopic detailing the life and career of a media figure whose voice instilled the black c... read more read more...ommunity with hope during the turbulent 1960s. After talking his way onto the Washington, D.C. airwaves in the era of free love, a man emboldened by the inspirational soul music and rapidly expanding social consciousness that defined the decade openly courts controversy as his put-upon producer, Dewey Hughes (Chiwetel Ejiofor), runs interference. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

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76% liked it

40,715 ratings

Critics

82% liked it

126 critics

R, 1 hr. 58 min.

Directed by: Kasi Lemmons

Release Date: July 27, 2007

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DVD Release Date: October 30, 2007

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Stats: 2,562 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (2,562)

  • hunterjt13
    April 9, 2012
    hunterjt13
    A morning talk show host mobilizes a network of listeners during the Civil Rights era.
    The first act of this film sets up themes of negotiating "blackness," and set as it is during the Civil Rights era, this is an interesting question, pitting the executive against the ex-con. B... read moreut the plot eventually degrades into thematically irrelevant and unfocused interpersonal dynamics that make the film as a whole more like My Week with Marilyn than Malcolm X, as Dewey Hughes, the radio executive, must keep Petey Greene, the host, from sabotaging both their careers.
    The performances by Don Cheadle, whose antics are barely on the right side of believability, and Chiwetel Ejiofor are very good. I especially like Ejiofor whose reserve and intensity are characteristic of his fine body of work.
    Overall, though the film has promise at the beginning, this biopic ultimately doesn't live up to expectations; it's just good enough to make me wish it were better.
  • jarobb3
    January 19, 2012
    jarobb3
    Another feather in Mr. Cheadle's cap. Super-fun movie with a solid dose of history. Always nice to see a well-done true-story.
  • DrBenway
    January 8, 2009
    DrBenway
    Along with Don Cheadle, there are many good performances in Talk to Me, including Chiwetel Ejiofor, Taraji P. Henson (who could be hilarious), Cedric the Entertainer and Vondie Curtis Hall. Martin Sheen could have phoned in his part as the one-dimensional "irate then calm" boss. ... read more

    Greene's story is an affecting one in that he was another person who rose from a criminal youth to prison, but had a talent with words on the air. Many people are afraid of the microphone, but not Petey. Unfortunately, out of that element, Petey fell as fast as he rose. Very entertaining not-too-heavy drama with a solid soundtrack.
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  • paulsandberg
    September 15, 2008
    paulsandberg
    as biography movies go, this is about middle of the pack. There are some nice moments, the reaction to the King riots, and some of the outragiousness of the girlfriend, but I felt that some of the low points of his life were glossed over.

    In many respects the film made it app... read moreear that Petey was a bit player in his own life, which contradicts the ambition and drive that were evident in the early prison scenes and his determination to land a radio gig. I guess that was all he was really after, so once he achieved that he simply took a back seat to other peoples plans.

    Have to mention that Cedric The Entertainer was perfectly cast as the late night "nighthawk" soul man and love machine. After fighting with Petey earlier, his embrace after Petey emplores the citizens to stop rioting was hearfelt and sincere, carrying all the emotion while still having the little hesitation that showed his embarassment for the earlier fight, and probably realizing that there were issues that far outweighed his petty jelousy.
  • sanjurosamurai
    December 23, 2007
    sanjurosamurai
    this was a great movie. the story of petey green is portrayed with raw realism and the best part of this film was the performances of every member of the cast. an incredible ensemble led by don cheadle with easily one of the two or three best performances of 2007. im shocked c... read moreheadle isnt getting more hype for this role, he was masterful. good flick.
  • hoganshero
    September 3, 2007
    hoganshero
    Don Cheadle gave an Oscar worthy performance in this true story. Chiwetel Ejofor also did an amazing piece of work. This film is both hilarious and poignant.
  • DrZeek
    July 28, 2007
    DrZeek
    Sonderling: You got to tone it down Petey, the FCC is all over my rear.
    Petey Greene: Well no offense, but the FCC can kiss my ass.

    Don Cheadle stars as convict turn DJ Petey Greene in a film going over Petey's career during the 60s and 70s.

    This film goes from a somewhat sitco... read moremy approach into a dramatic biography about how one man always tried to stay true to himself.

    Right on side of Petey is Chiwetel Ejiofor as Dewey Hughes, a man who respects how brave Petey is to talk like he does.

    The highlights of the movie revolve around Cheadle on the air as Petey. Him as Petey in general is great to watch. We are not short on other actors either. I have been a fan of Ejiofor, and am glad to see him in all of these different roles. Cedric the Entertainer, Martin Sheen, Mike Epps, and Taraji P. Henson of Hustle and Flow round out the cast, providing good support.

    The movie is also foul. The r rating provides for a lot of language to come out of Petey's mouth, all of which helping him to keep it real.

    The movie looks and sounds great. Complete with hair and fashions of the time along with a great R&B soundtrack.

    My gripe with the movie concerns its somewhat uneven pacing and its somewhat unorganized approach in establishing a time frame. We are given only two updates as to what year it is, with events occurring in between that make you feel somewhat lost when it comes to key moments.

    Still, this is a well acted film, with a good soundtrack, some good laughs, and some dramatic punch.

    Petey Greene: I'll tell it to the hot, I'll tell it to the cold. I'll tell it to the young, I'll tell it to the old. I don't want no laughin', I don't want no cryin', and most of all, no signifyin'. This is Petey Greene's Washington.
  • fb1144932598
    October 4, 2008
    fb1144932598
    Pulls no punches in showing a unique American voice from the turbulent late sixties, early seventies. Petey Greene spoke his mind and offended a generation of white listeners, but spoke truth to his audience, the African Americans who were beginning to make their voices heard all... read more over our land. Don Cheadle is a charter member of the pantheon of actors whose movies are not only entertaining, but are also important. The supporting cast is excellent. I especially found Taraji Henson, as Vernelle, a joy to watch. The bigger her afro got, the more sass she put into her character's persona. She radiates on-screen. Chiwetel Elijofor was perfect as the button-down program manager, Dewey Hughes. Theirs was a symbiotic relationship. Petey said what Dewey was afraid to say and Dewey did what Petey was afraid to do. Henson sparkled as the woman who stood by Petey and brought peace and harmony back to their relationship after it was broken by Dewey pushing Petey to go where he was not ready or willing to go. I waffled between giving it four or five stars. It deserves better than four. Definitely four and a half.
  • gator681
    June 19, 2008
    gator681
    [font=Century Gothic]"Talk to Me" starts in Washington, DC in 1966 where the new program director of radio station WOL, Dewey Hughes(Chiwetel Ejiofor), is tasked with getting people to listen to the struggling R & B station. On a visit to his brother in prison, he has a chance me... read moreeting with Ralph Waldo "Petey" Greene(Don Cheadle), a convict who is the popular prison DJ. After Petey is released, he applies for a job at WOL but is summarily dismissed. However, he does not go down easily as persistence wins out in the end...[/font]

    [font=Century Gothic]Even though there is the usual very fine work on display from Don Cheadle and Chiwetel Ejiofor, "Talk to Me" is a biopic about a potentially interesting personality which misses the mark, making it more about Dewey than Petey, even goong so far as to give Dewey the best scene in the movie. Told through Dewey's eyes, the movie is more about a black success story than either racism or capturing the essence of a time and a place, namely Washington, DC, from 1966 onwards.(Only one brief moment at the beginning and the 1968 riots attest to this...) Without any social criticism to ground it, the movie eventually goes off the rails completely with a message that it is best to play it safe. Is that the kind of message you want to express?[/font]
  • michaelneumann
    October 28, 2007
    michaelneumann
    Alive, in Victoria Falls (Zambia side today). Returning Stateside on Tuesday. Bummed about the Rockies getting their rumps handed to them in the World Series. Happy I'm alive to experience the bummer, after the Zambezi. That river kicked my arse. See ya folks soon, and with pics!... read more

    By the way, any good movies out lately? Saw the majority of both Away From Her and The Hoax on the flights out here, but not in their entirety (bleeping Air Canada's crappy in-flight electronics can be blamed for that). Both were excellent until being snapped away like a ghost line from my transfixed eyes. Bah.

View All Talk to Me Reviews

Critic Reviews

Bob Mondello
October 18, 2008
Bob Mondello, NPR.org

In its wrenching shift from farce to tragedy, and its evocation of the bridge offered by friendship, Talk to Me tells it, and keeps on tellin' it, much as 'Petey' Greene would have. Full Review

Claudia Puig
September 1, 2007
Claudia Puig, USA Today

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

Bruce Newman
August 3, 2007
Bruce Newman, San Jose Mercury News

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

Joanne Kaufman
July 27, 2007
Joanne Kaufman, Wall Street Journal

Its dialogue, equal parts uptight honky and jumping jive seems, particularly in the early stretches, to have been generated by a computer. Full Review

Rob Salem
July 27, 2007
Rob Salem, Toronto Star

The characters are brought to vivid life with remarkably compelling performances by two of the screen's most versatile actors: Don Cheadle as the freewheeling Greene; and Chiwetel Ejiofor as Hughes, t... Full Review

Roger Moore
July 27, 2007
Roger Moore, Orlando Sentinel

Cheadle gives a performance of contained cool and bluff bravado, suggesting barely a hint of the rage you would expect from a man just out of a nine-year prison sentence. Full Review

Liam Lacey
July 27, 2007
Liam Lacey, Globe and Mail

The problem is, the last section of the movie doesn't follow the career path of Greene: It traces the blander character of Hughes. Full Review

Tom Long
July 27, 2007
Tom Long, Detroit News

[A] well-acted film about making the move from the street to the mainstream.

Terry Lawson
July 27, 2007
Terry Lawson, Detroit Free Press

he mood shifts awkwardly from broad comedy to melodrama and social commentary. Full Review

Lisa Kennedy
July 27, 2007
Lisa Kennedy, Denver Post

Lemmons, her extraordinary cast and gifted crew deliver laughing, crying and plenty of signifying. Full Review

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Talk to Me Trivia

  • In "Breakfast on Pluto", Brendan Gleeson's character said "-Don't talk to me about f*&%in- what?  Answer »
  • What was Maverick's first line in Top Gun?  Answer »
  • In "The School of Rock," finish the quote, "Don't talk to me about style, you can't even dress yourself. Look at that ________."  Answer »
  • In what movie would you find this quote? "Dancing is just a conversation between two people. Talk to me."  Answer »
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