Talk to Me

R

Released Jul 13, 2007

1 hr. 58 min.

Biography

Drama

List

83%

132 Reviews

Tomatometer

77%

25,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

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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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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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

bebri a

I got this backwards. First I was called to Talk To Me as a magnet random Don Cheadle flick, then as I suspected there actually might be a real Petey Greene, paused the film to read about him, before returning to its conclusion. Throughout, Chiwetel Ejiofor was right there as well, alongside an especially scene stealin' Taraji P. Henson. After that, I YouTubed the man who fueled the Ptown DC ruckus and contentedly came full circle on a reverse 360. Hello, PG!

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

04/23/20

Full Review

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Kasi Lemmons

Director

Don Cheadle

Ralph "Petey" Greene

Chiwetel Ejiofor

Dewey Hughes

Taraji P. Henson

Vernell

Martin Sheen

E.G. Sonderling

Cedric the Entertainer

Waylon

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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

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.

Oct 18, 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

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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
Executive Producer: Don Cheadle, J. Miles Dale, William Horberg, Joey Rappa, Bruce Toll
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
Sound Mix: Dolby SRD, DTS
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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