WillSushyMedia
This movie was so-so. It had it's moments, but wasn't the greatest.
Sharkflei
Your blood may run cold, but you now find yourself pinioned to the story.
Seraherrera
The movie is wonderful and true, an act of love in all its contradictions and complexity
scottmontreal
I picked up the DVD yesterday in the bargain bin of Big Lots for $1.50. It was the cheapest movie in the bin, but I knew I would never get a chance to see it otherwise. I lived in DC after Green died, and knew little about him. This movie is also an important history for those of us who love/hate the city.As you can see from previous reviews, many of us are convinced this is an excellent movie. I expected great acting from Don Cheadle, but I was most impressed with how tight the whole movie was - great writing by Michael Genet and Rick Famuyiwa, terrific directing by the very talented Kasi Lemmons, excellent ensemble acting especially between Cheadle, Eliofor and Tanaji P. Henson (who steals a few scenes herself). And the music, if you love old school, this is it!Of course, the movie is about race and class, but I think we need to go beyond the film's subject and ask, Why is this excellent movie by African Americans so marginalized in our cinema industry?
Michael O'Keefe
Some may want to argue accuracy; just enjoy this biopic of Ralph "Petey" Greene. Greene(Don Cheadle)went from ex-con to outspoken iconic radio personality that gave hope and instilled pride in the black community of Washington, D.C. when turbulent times were taking its toll. Friend and producer Dewey Hughes(Chiwetel Ejiofor), who also reached radio iconic status, ran interference trying to keep distance between "Petey" and E.G. Sondering(Martin Sheen), owner of radio station WOL. It was the 1960's and "Petey" Greene brought "T-Town" to D.C. with his no-holds-barred directness expanding social consciousness between doses of some of the greatest soul music in the land. Great soundtrack featuring the likes of: Otis Redding, James Brown, Sam & Dave, Barbara Lewis, Clarance Carter, Booker T. & The M.G.s and The Chamber Brothers.Also in the cast: Mike Epps, J. Miles Dale, Vondie Curtis-Hall, Cedric the Entertainer, Taraji P. Henson and Jeff Kassel. Kudos to director Kasi Lemmons.
Neil Turner
I remember many of my experiences in the late 60's and 70's as sort of an over-the-top caricature of real life, and, basically, I find that a pretty valid description of Talk to Me. Just as my memories of those times are glossed over by fond and crazy memories so is this film, but that didn't keep me from really enjoying it.The film was advertised as a biopic of Washington, D.C., radio and television talk-show personality, Petey Greene. He grew up on the mean streets of D.C. and was eventually sent to prison. Greene was a master hustler and larger than life personality - the perfect persona for a talk-show host. During his time in prison, he gained experience as an incarcerated DJ and used that experience to break into radio talk after his release. He became a noted figure of social consciousness in D.C. during those turbulent times of civil unrest in the quest for civil rights for the everyday African American man and woman. He accomplished a great deal in his fifty-three years but was always haunted by demons of his past and his additions to drugs and alcohol.Don Cheadle is a joy to watch as Petey. He is an excellent actor and gives us a delightful taste of a man strutting through his world as a larger-than-life character all the while trying to suppress his deep feelings of insecurity.In reality, the film is actually more of a biography of Dewey Hughes who started working in lowly jobs in a D.C. radio station and went on to become a mover and shaker in both radio and television.Hughes is played by British actor, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and he does an amazing job at capturing the accent of the two sides of his character. In the film, Hughes is depicted as a Black man raised in poverty who has accomplished a great deal - extremely proper speech being one. During most of the film, Ejiofor speaks in that tongue, but there are times when his character expresses himself in a very believable way using the language of the streets - all of this from an actor with a British accent.Cheadle and Ejiofor give us an engrossing look at two talented men who spend most of their time at odds with one another all the while covering respect, envy, and love. Even though their relationship in the film is highly romanticized, it is still good, solid entertainment.Not to demean the excellent acting all around, it is the production that makes this film a great indulgence - especially for me. Most of it takes place during the 70's which was both a tragic and totally wacky decade of American history. This film is filled with great costumes and scenes that will bring bitter-sweet memories to anyone of my generation. It's a great treat.
clayton-white
The story of Petey Greene obviously has great entertainment and educational potential. However, I recently watched this movie and was left unsatisfied. Where this movie most differs from other great bio flicks such as Malcolm X, The Hurricane, Ali and Redemption (the story of Tookie Williams), is that its central figure does not appear to change or evolve in some way by the end of the story. He tries to change in order to appease his manager Dewey, but fails. He starts as a man for the truth (as he sees it) and ends up the same way. That may be commendable, but a man longing for the comfort of "the cave" does not make for a great story.Also, this movie's superficial treatment left me with major unanswered questions about Petey Greene, whom I'd not heard of previously. The movie did not focus on Petey Greene enough, did not get into his head to expose why he thinks the way he does. By the end, I knew more about Dewey's motivation than about Petey's. The movie seemed to be more about how other people responded to Petey than about Petey himself.The actors in the main roles all did an excellent job. Don Cheadle continues to show that he can superbly deliver whatever his role calls for. Chiwetel Ejiofor, portraying another brooding and strong but torn character, steps it up from American Gangster, and gives an excellent performance. Taraji Henson is simply stunning here, and Martin Sheen is one of the greats of our time. Mike Epps and Cedric the Entertainer were wasted here. I can see why they might want to be in on this project no matter how small the part. But, having these two extraordinary personalities present and giving them virtually no important lines struck me as a mistake.Overall, a worthwhile flick despite the above criticisms.
