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Talk to Me

R Released Jul 13, 2007 1h 58m Biography Drama List
83% Tomatometer 132 Reviews 77% Popcornmeter 25,000+ Ratings
Outspoken ex-convict Ralph "Petey" Greene (Don Cheadle) talks his way onto the air at a white-owned radio station in 1960s Washington, D.C. Fueled by the new music and social upheaval of the times, he courts controversy while becoming the voice of the black movement.
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Talk to Me

Talk to Me

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Critics 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.

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Critics Reviews

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Richard Brody New Yorker Don Cheadle brings sharp humor and deep passion to his portrayal of the Washington, D.C., disk jockey and talk-show host Petey Greene in this historically vital and acute bio-pic... Apr 27, 2020 Full Review Cliff Doerksen Time Out Rated: 3/5 Nov 18, 2011 Full Review George Palathingal Sydney Morning Herald It's a visually and aurally riveting trip to an important time from a perspective few here will know, about a person worth meeting. Rated: 3/4 Feb 22, 2008 Full Review Toni Vall Cinemanía (Spain) A proposal full of self-confidence and expressive force. [Full review in Spanish] Rated: 3.5/5 Nov 5, 2020 Full Review Kaleem Aftab The List Though funny in places, the film lacks any decent secondary characters... but it's easy to see why Lemmons would decide to keep the camera as much as possible on the two excellent central performances. Rated: 3/5 Nov 3, 2018 Full Review Brandy McDonnell The Oklahoman Cheadle's skillful performance makes Petey a flawed hero worth rooting for, even when his actions offend. Ejiofor also impresses with his subtle turn as the conflicted, success-hungry Dewey. In addition, the film boasts an excellent sound track. Rated: 4/4 Aug 15, 2018 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Kyle M Brilliantly casted magnetic performances, at discovered peaks, electrifies this skillfully written, exceptionally tuned, utterly entertaining drama. (B+) Rated 4 out of 5 stars 07/16/24 Full Review Audience Member Good not great Cheadle and Ejiofor make quite the budding pair Taraji P. Henson is so fine in this too Rated 3 out of 5 stars 07/14/23 Full Review isla s This is a fairly run of the mill type bio drama film. It has decent enough performances and the backdrop of the civil rights movement makes it somewhat thought provoking, although I wouldn't say this film is entirely about that but more its an element of the plot. I liked that the main character, Petey, is a very honest person and tells things as they are. There were some fairly amusing moments with the radio boss, E.G. Sonderling, played by Martin Sheen, not best pleased with the new found supposed talent that is rushed on to his stations airwaves. The story is interesting, in as much as its based on a true story but I don't think there's much else I can say about it. If it sounds particularly interesting or relevant to you, then yes I'd recommend it, otherwise maybe not. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member All you have to do is just talk Kasi Lemmons directs the true story of Ralph Greene starring Don Cheadle, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Taraji P. Henson, Cedric the Entertainer, Mike Epps, and Martin Sheen Outspoken ex-convict Ralph "Petey" Greene talks his way onto the air at a white-owned radio station in 1960s Washington, D.C. The citizens are not collaborating but community activist Dewey Hughes wants to turn things around hiring a new DJ and that turns out to be Ralph Fueled by the new music and social upheaval of the times, he courts controversy while becoming the voice of the black movement Ralph has quite the mouth even upsetting the FCC and his radio manager but it's the kind of voice everyone needs to hear Segregation, civil rights, and the influence of Martin Luther King, Jr. is what has Ralph talk about the things that need to be heard by all WOL became a station of the people with listeners calling in to share their input It was more than just music it was an outlet to be heard The ultimate measure of a man is where he stands in times of challenge and controversy, a world burning is not what we should work towards, we should all tell our truths even if we are sad or angry, it's the voices of the people that should matter Ralph didn't want to be a public speaker though and wanted no part in political activism just his radio setting was enough Eventually he and Hughes parted ways and Petey passed away at 52 But his influence on the radio waves remains a staple; he said the things we were afraid to say The movie avoids many of the typical biopic tropes too Cheadle and Ejiofor make a great budding pair Some stuff is too over the top or exaggerated and less than compelling secondary characters but there's great performances for sure Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/22/23 Full Review Audience Member Starts out as an entertaining character study and ends up an After School Special on Civil Rights and the evils of alcohol and stardom. Cheadle is incapable of being bad. But he deserves much better. At times it seems like Taraji Henson's puppies are the real star of the story, Rated 2 out of 5 stars 01/20/23 Full Review steve d Great performances make this a fun biopic. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Talk to Me

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Cast & Crew

I'm Not There 77% 69% I'm Not There Cadillac Records 66% 65% Cadillac Records TRAILER for Cadillac Records The Singer 25% 63% The Singer Howl 63% 58% Howl Party Monster 29% 75% Party Monster Discover more movies and TV shows. View More

Movie Info

Synopsis Outspoken ex-convict Ralph "Petey" Greene (Don Cheadle) talks his way onto the air at a white-owned radio station in 1960s Washington, D.C. Fueled by the new music and social upheaval of the times, he courts controversy while becoming the voice of the black movement.
Director
Kasi Lemmons
Producer
Joe Fries, Mark Gordon, Sidney Kimmel, Josh McLaughlin
Screenwriter
Michael Genet, Rick Famuyiwa
Distributor
Focus Features
Production Co
Sidney Kimmel Entertainment, Pelagius Films, Mark Gordon Productions
Rating
R (Some Sexual Content|Pervasive Language)
Genre
Biography, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jul 13, 2007, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Mar 18, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA)
$4.5M
Runtime
1h 58m
Sound Mix
Dolby SRD, DTS
Aspect Ratio
Scope (2.35:1)
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