Talk to Me (2007 film)

Last updated

Talk to Me
Talk to me poster.jpg
Theatrical release poster
Directed by Kasi Lemmons
Written by
Produced by
Starring
Cinematography Stéphane Fontaine
Edited byTerilyn A. Shropshire
Music by Terence Blanchard
Production
companies
Distributed by Focus Features [1]
Release dates
  • June 22, 2007 (2007-06-22)(LA Film Festival)
  • July 13, 2007 (2007-07-13)(United States)
Running time
118 minutes [1]
CountryUnited States [1]
LanguageEnglish
Budget$15 million [2]
Box office$4.7 million [3]

Talk to Me is a 2007 biographical film directed by Kasi Lemmons and starring Don Cheadle, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Taraji P. Henson, Cedric the Entertainer, and Mike Epps. It is about Washington, D.C. radio personality Ralph "Petey" Greene, an ex-con who became a popular talk show host and community activist, and Dewey Hughes, his friend and manager. The film spans the time period May 1966 to January 1984, ending with Greene's memorial service.

Contents

The film premiered as the opening night film of the 2007 Los Angeles Film Festival, on June 22, 2007. It opened in North America in a limited release on July 13, 2007, and nationwide on August 3, 2007.

Plot

Petey Greene is in prison when he meets Dewey Hughes, who is there visiting his brother. Dewey treats him with disdain, calling him a “miscreant." In their conversation, Petey discovers that Dewey is a radio executive. Petey subsequently assists the warden by talking down a fellow prisoner and shortly afterward obtains his release.

Petey shows up at Dewey’s radio station in Washington, D.C., WOL, and claims that Dewey promised him a job upon his release from prison. As a result of causing a ruckus at the station, he is rebuffed. Petey then begins picketing the station drawing larger and larger crowds. To stop the protests, Dewey finally asks Petey to meet him at a pool hall. Dewey easily beats him in a game of Nine-ball, but decides to give Dewey a chance on the air.

Dewey takes over a shift on the station, but it is disastrous as he vomits from nervousness and insults Berry Gordy. Station owner E.G. Sonderling demands that he be removed at once and not given a job. Later, Dewey, dejected, goes to have a drink in a bar where he hears the patrons talking enthusiastically about Petey. He decides to give Petey another chance. In order to do so, he locks the staff in their offices and takes over the studio. Petey starts his show, and once Mr. Sonderling is released from his office, he demands that the police be called to eject Petey. As they are arguing, all the telephone lines light up with listeners wanting to talk to Petey. As a result, he is given the job.  “Telling it like it is”, Petey becomes highly popular on the air. His girlfriend, Vernell, catches him with another woman, and he is kicked out of his home and moves in with Dewey temporarily.

Petey is on the air when Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is assassinated, and becomes a voice of reason as rioters run amok in the streets of Washington in the aftermath. He is the MC for a free James Brown concert at Georgetown University meant to calm tempers, but shows up drunk. Nonetheless, his remarks are well-accepted by the crowd, and James Brown tells him that he can introduce him anytime.

Petey’s popularity gains him his own television show, and his star continues to rise. Dewey gets him invited onto The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, but Petey is reluctant to go on. Vernell tells Dewey that Petey doesn’t want to go on, but Dewey insists it will be fine. Petey goes on, alienates the audience, and his appearance is a disaster. Dewey and Petey fight backstage, and both are arrested and spend the night in jail.

Some time passes, and Dewey now owns the station. Vernell visits him and prevails on Dewey to reconcile with Petey. They play pool together, and finally express their love and admiration for one another. Petey soon dies, and Dewey gives a fond eulogy in front of a large crowd of Petey’s fans.

Cast

Reception

Release

Talk to Me had its world premiere as the opening night film of the Los Angeles Film Festival on June 22, 2007. [2] It opened in theaters on July 13, 2007 and made $400,000 in its opening weekend. [2]

Critical response

On Rotten Tomatoes, review aggregator, the film has an approval rating of 82% based on 126 reviews and an average score of 6.95/10. The website's critical consensus reads, "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." [4] On Metacritic, the film has an average score of 69 out of 100 based on 32 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews". [5]

Michael Rechtshaffen of the Associated Press wrote in his review: "Again demonstrating why he's one of the most versatile actors around, Don Cheadle gives another prize-worthy performance as Ralph Waldo "Petey" Greene Jr., the irrepressible radio DJ whose keepin'-it-real style made him a trusted voice on the airwaves during the turbulent late '60s and early '70s. [...] Also keeping it real are those rich period touches contributed by production designer Warren Alan Young and costume designer Gersha Phillips, whose fabulous creations for Henson appear to have come directly from the blaxploitation attic." [6]

Greene's surviving family members did not cooperate with the making of the film and criticized it for taking liberties with his portrayal and those around him. [7]

Awards and nominations

Home media

Talk to Me was released on DVD on October 30, 2007, [15] and September 7, 2010, as a wide screen edition. [16] The film was released on Blu-ray on March 22, 2010. [17]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Don Cheadle</span> American actor (born 1964)

Donald Frank Cheadle Jr. is an American actor. He is the recipient of multiple accolades, including two Grammy Awards, a Tony Award, two Golden Globe Awards, and two Screen Actors Guild Awards. He has also earned nominations for an Academy Award, two British Academy Film Awards, and 11 Primetime Emmy Awards. His Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony nominations make him one of few black individuals to be nominated for the four major American entertainment awards (EGOT).

Kasi Lemmons is an American film director, screenwriter, and actress. She made her directorial debut with Eve's Bayou (1997), followed by Talk to Me (2007), Black Nativity (2013), Harriet (2019), and Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody (2022). She also directed the Netflix limited series Self Made (2020), and an episode of ABC's Women of the Movement (2022).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chiwetel Ejiofor</span> British actor (born 1977)

Chiwetel Umeadi Ejiofor is a British actor. He is the recipient of various accolades, including a British Academy Film Award, and a Laurence Olivier Award, with nominations for an Academy Award, two Primetime Emmy Awards and five Golden Globe Awards. In 2008, he was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth II for services to the arts. He was elevated to Commander of the Order of the British Empire in the 2015 Birthday Honours.

<i>Eves Bayou</i> 1997 American drama film by Kasi Lemmons

Eve's Bayou is a 1997 American Southern Gothic drama film written and directed by Kasi Lemmons, who made her directorial debut with this film. Samuel L. Jackson served as a producer, and starred in the film with Lisa Nicole Carson, Jurnee Smollett, Lynn Whitfield, Debbi Morgan, Meagan Good, and Diahann Carroll. The film premiered at the 1997 Toronto International Film Festival and was released in theaters on November 7, 1997. The film grossed $14 million domestically on a budget of $4 million, making it the most commercially successful independent film of 1997.

<i>Kinky Boots</i> (film) 2005 British comedy-drama film

Kinky Boots is a 2005 British comedy-drama film directed by Julian Jarrold and written by Geoff Deane and Tim Firth. Nominated for Best Film at the 64th Golden Globe Awards, it is based on a true story. The film tells of struggling shoe factory owner Charlie, who forms an unlikely partnership with Lola, a drag queen, to save the business. Charlie develops a plan to produce custom footwear for drag queens, rather than the men's dress shoes that his firm is known for, alienating many in the process.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Taraji P. Henson</span> American actress (born 1970)

Taraji Penda Henson is an American actress. She has received several accolades, including a Golden Globe Award as well as nominations for an Academy Award, a Tony Award and six Emmy Awards. In 2016 and 2024, Time named Henson one of the 100 most influential people in the world.

<i>Devil in a Blue Dress</i> (film) 1995 film by Carl Franklin

Devil in a Blue Dress is a 1995 American neo-noir mystery thriller film written and directed by Carl Franklin, based on Walter Mosley's 1990 novel of the same name and features Denzel Washington, Tom Sizemore, Jennifer Beals, and Don Cheadle. Set in 1948, the film follows World War II veteran Ezekiel "Easy" Rawlins who, desperate in need of a job, becomes drawn into a search for a mysterious woman.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rick Famuyiwa</span> American film and television director (born 1973)

Rick Famuyiwa is an American filmmaker and television director.

<i>The Curious Case of Benjamin Button</i> (film) 2008 film by David Fincher

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is a 2008 American romantic fantasy drama film directed by David Fincher. The storyline by Eric Roth and Robin Swicord is loosely based on the 1922 short story of the same name by F. Scott Fitzgerald. The film stars Brad Pitt as a man who ages in reverse and Cate Blanchett as the love interest throughout his life. The film also stars Taraji P. Henson, Julia Ormond, Jason Flemyng, Elias Koteas, and Tilda Swinton.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Petey Greene</span> Radio talk show host (1931–1984)

Ralph Waldo "Petey" Greene, Jr., was an American television and radio talk-show host. A two-time Emmy Award-winner, Greene overcame drug addiction and a prison sentence for armed robbery to become one of the most prominent media personalities in Washington, D.C. On his shows, Greene often discussed issues such as racism, poverty, drug usage, and current events among others.

Terilyn A. Shropshire is an American motion picture and television editor. She is the daughter of Thomas B. Shropshire, a corporate executive.

Talk to Me may refer to:

The 4th St. Louis Gateway Film Critics Association Awards were announced on December 21, 2007.

Dewey Hughes is an African American former radio personality and was Petey Greene's manager.

The 40th NAACP Image Awards ceremony, presented by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), honored the best in film, television, music of 2008 and took place on February 12, 2009 at the Shrine Auditorium. The show was televised live on Fox and hosted by Halle Berry and Tyler Perry.

The African-American Film Critics Association is an organization that honors excellence in cinema, specifically focusing on African-American and minority films, filmmakers, and artists. The AAFCA Awards recognize outstanding achievements in various categories such as Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, and more.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Black Reel Award for Outstanding Actor</span> Award presented annually by the Black Reel Awards

This article lists the winners and nominees for the Black Reel Award for Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture. The award recognized an actor who delivered an outstanding performance in a leading role within the given eligible period.

The 47th Image Awards, was presented by the NAACP, commemorating roles, talents, and achievements of people of color in film, television, music and literature during the 2015 calendar year. This ceremony was hosted for the third time by Anthony Anderson on the TV One network.

<i>The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind</i> 2019 film

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind is a 2019 drama film written, directed by and starring Chiwetel Ejiofor in his feature directorial debut. The film is based on the memoir of the same name by William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer. It was screened in the Premieres section at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival and began streaming in most territories on Netflix on 1 March 2019. It was selected as the British entry for the Best International Feature Film at the 92nd Academy Awards, but it was not nominated. It received widely positive reviews with praise going to Ejiofor's direction and the acting.

<i>The Color Purple</i> (2023 film) Film by Blitz Bazawule

The Color Purple is a 2023 American musical period drama film directed by Blitz Bazawule. Marcus Gardley's screenplay is based on the stage musical of the same name, which in turn is based on the 1982 novel of the same name by Alice Walker. It is the second film adaptation of the novel, following the 1985 film directed by Steven Spielberg and produced by Spielberg and Quincy Jones. Spielberg and Jones return as producers for the 2023 film, along with its Broadway producers Scott Sanders and Oprah Winfrey, the latter of whom also starred in the 1985 film.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Talk to Me (2007)". AFI Catalog of Feature Films . Retrieved January 3, 2022.
  2. 1 2 3 "AFI Movie Club: Talk to Me". American Film Institute . November 19, 2020. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
  3. ↑ "Talk to Me". Box Office Mojo . Retrieved January 18, 2023.
  4. ↑ "Talk to Me". Rotten Tomatoes . Flixster . Retrieved October 24, 2007.
  5. ↑ "Talk to Me (2007): Reviews". Metacritic . CBS . Retrieved October 24, 2007.
  6. ↑ Rechtshaffen, Michael (June 21, 2007). "Talk to Me". The Hollywood Reporter . Los Angeles: Billboard-Hollywood Reporter Media Group (Valence Media). Associated Press . Retrieved April 1, 2019.
  7. ↑ Tucker, Neely (August 20, 2007). "Left Out of the Picture". The Washington Post. Retrieved May 24, 2010.
  8. ↑ "African-American Film Critics Association Awards 2007". blackfilm.com. December 17, 2007. Retrieved January 19, 2023.
  9. ↑ "The 39th NAACP Image Award Nominations". Variety. January 8, 2008. Retrieved January 19, 2023.
  10. ↑ Percy, Lily (July 28, 2012). "The Movie Kasi Lemmons Has 'Seen A Million Times'". NPR . Retrieved January 18, 2023.
  11. ↑ "Image Awards for Great Debaters". The New York Times. February 19, 2008. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved January 19, 2023.
  12. ↑ Bruno, Mike (February 25, 2008). "Juno cleans up at Indie Spirit Awards". EW.com. Retrieved January 19, 2023.
  13. ↑ Hayes, Dade (November 28, 2007). "'Into the Wild' tops Gotham Awards". Variety. Retrieved January 19, 2023.
  14. ↑ "2007 | Categories | International Press Academy" . Retrieved January 19, 2023.
  15. ↑ Talk to Me. Universal Studios Home Entertainment (DVD). Universal City, California: Universal Pictures. October 30, 2007. ASIN   B000VNMMW0 . Retrieved April 1, 2019.
  16. ↑ Talk to Me. Universal Studios Home Entertainment (DVD) (Wide Screen  ed.). Universal City, California: Universal Pictures. September 7, 2010. ASIN   B000VNMMW0 . Retrieved April 1, 2019.
  17. ↑ Talk to Me. Verve Pictures (Blu-ray). London: Verve Pictures, LLC. March 22, 2010. ASIN   B002ZQX0A4 . Retrieved April 1, 2019.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.