Talk to Me (DVD, 2007, Widescreen)

This movie is based on a true story.All star cast featuring Don Cheadle, Cedric The Entertainer, Mike Epps, Chiwetek Ejiofor, Martin Sheen, Taraji P. Henson.This movie takes place during the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960's.
Ralph Waldo "Petey" Greene Jr. (Don Cheadle) is an convict, while incarcerated in Lorton, he was able to do announcements and entertain the felons in the jail.One of his fan inmates is Milo Hughes (Mike Epps) who brother is Dewey Hughes (Chiwetel Ejiofor) who works at WOL radio station Washington D.C, and is a director of programming.Milo tells Dewey this is the guy he talked to him about.Petey briefely talks to Dewey on his way out from visiting his thug brother in jail.Dewey tells him to look him up if he ever gets out thinking he won't be out for a long time.When a unexpected chance comes Petey strikes up a deal with the warden of the jail.Once released Petey's foxy girlfriend Vernell Wason (Taraji P. Henson)trying to keep him in line this time around,takes him to WOL radio station to try to get a job as a talkshow radio DJ.The timing couldn't have come at at better time with WOL having rating loss, but still the main boss of WOL was Mr. Sonderling who wouldn't give the ex-con the time of day at his radio station.Petey wouldn't take no for an anwser and started to protest with signs outside the building.Petey was determined to have his voice heard by people.But,the radio station already had the positions filled for a DJ's.The morning show DJ "Sunny" Jim Kelsey (Vondie Curtis Hall) with a show no listens to except WOL boss.The nightshow with Bob "Nighthawk" Terry (Cedric The Entertainer) with a deep voice all the ladies love to hear!The WOL & WOOK radio stations are in competetion for the highest ratings.So when Dewey finally gives in and gives Petey a chance, the show is a hit and gets new callers finally calling in.The community loves Petey's outspoken way, that shakes up the radio world and revive it from the same old.Shortly after the show took off, the downfall from the assination of Martin Luther King Jr. took place and riots were surrounding them.To settle the communitity a free concert with James Brown and Petey took place to let the communinity work together and get together and take out the fusteration in a new way.It was the calm after the storm.Soon a small town DJ becomes a celebrity appearing on tv talk shows, being interviewed and his name was all over the newspapers.His partner Dewey has Petey reach new levels in his careeer.They soon terminated thir partnership after the fallout on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson.Petey realizes that he misses the small office of his DJ talkshow, and knows this isn't the direction he wants to go.Years go by and finally the 2 rekindle their relationship.But Petey's hard living had finally caught up with him, he dies at the age of 53.Dewey says at Petey's memorial service he was more than a con, he told it how it was and said things most were afraid to say.He was the voice of the people.Over 10,000 perople came to his funeral it ended up being the largest gathering of a non-elected official in DC history. WOL is now Radio One network and is one of the largest media companies in the country.
" The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands in times of challenge and controversy."
Martin Luther King Jr.

A great movie to rent or buy!Don Cheadle is amazing in this film!

This movie must have gotten lost in the shuffle of big blockbuster releases and it deserves so much better. In the 1960s and `70s, Petey Greene (Don Cheadle) talking, as a "tell it like it is" radio DJ in Washington, D.C. You may have never heard of him but he was so popular in the D.C. area, that when he died more than 10,000 people came to his memorial service. Petey was funny, inspiring and a fierce community activist. He was, at times, also over the top with his self-destructive behavior. He was an ex con man, and Cheadle's portrayal is right on target. The "git down" Petey you hear and see on-screen, by all accounts is Petey Greene as he was, unlike the shock jock posers of today.

When Petey cons his way into an early parole, he looks up Dewey Hughes (Chiwetel Ejofor), the brother of a fellow inmate, and someone who had cracked to Petey to come and see him about a job when he got out. Dewey is program director at WOL-AM, a popular urban radio station geared to black music that sees its audience slipping away to edgier DJs. Dewey is a button-down type, in charge of hiring, and on his way to the top at the station owned by E.G. Sonderling (Martin Sheen). How Petey fast talks his way onto the air for the first time, with Dewey's help, is funny but it also offers a critical look at how people stereotype one another. Petey was able to keep it real in prison, and now on the outside, in part because of his sexy girlfriend Vernell (Taraji P. Henson of Hustle of Flow). Now he's able to connect with the radio audience, not just because he plays good music but he's always up front with his on air persona. Petey pulls no punches with his biting social commentary and his invitation to listeners to call him with their thoughts. "Talk to me," he tells them.

The film's mix of hilarious circumstances still manages to keep one grounded, even with the events surrounding the death of Martin Luther King Jr. and the impact of the Viet Nam war. Substance abuse and dreams of being on top of the world are the things that limit what Petey and Dewey can do together. If this story were not true, this would be a spoiler. You know things will crash, just not when, and to what extent the damage will be. Petey's popularity eventually surpasses that of his fellow star disc jockeys, Nighthawk (Cedric The Entertainer) and Sunny Jim (Vondie Curtis Hall).

We've seen excellent biopics in the past about American black men such as Ali and Ray. There are, however, a few notable differences between this film and those pictures. They were internationally known as entertainers by both the public and themselves. Both Petey and Dewey were tough guys but we get a glimpse of that inner self that men generally regard as weakness. That is, love and respect for another man without any homosexual overtones. Talk to Me digs deep in this area.

Director Kasi Lemmons (Eve's Bayou and The Caveman's Valentine) captures the flavor of Melvin Van Peebles and add in the great music from the late `60s, with a sultry score by Terrence Blanchard, some biting, sarcastic humor about Motown, and you have a movie that is not to be missed. Talk to Me tells quite a story about this slice of American culture.

EXACTLY WHAT WE HAD EXPECTED!! A GOOD MOVIE and a GOOD cast!! Cedric doesnt play a major role, as we would have liked to see more of him.

INSPIRATIONAL!! A GOOD MOVIE based on a convict, and a Radio-Head/morning talk show radio in need of an uplifting. Inspired by a True Story.

A GOOD MOVIE!!

Rent It or Buy It? We highly recommend it, by either renting it or buying it, its a GOOD PICK!!

Our Overall Rating: 7 / 10

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I enjoyed this movie to the fullest, as a matter of fact, it was so good I bought a second copy of the movie for my son. Everything that was done, or said in this movie has a purpose and meaning. I guess D.J. Petey Waldo Greene was telling it like it was. And he made his point! Beside the point, I love a true story movies any way.

I just loved the acting and the story was great and I learned alot about the D.J Petey Greene! The actors were great the movie was great and I loved the whole 60's and 70's theme of events that were added to the details of the story that were not only eyeopeners but truly history building moments in our lifes !