By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Rating: 3 cats
Director: Kasi Lemmons
Starring: Chiwetel Ejiofor | Don Cheadle | Martin Sheen | Taraji P. Henson
Country: united_states
Year: 2007
Running time: 118
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0796368/
Bruce says: “When Roger Ebert named Kasi Lemmons’ EVE’S BAYOU his film of the year for 1997, I was totally perplexed. Thick with plot, the film never delved very deep into its characters. They spoke volumes and lots happened; but I walked away feeling unsatisfied. Likewise, Lemmons’ THE CAVEMAN’S VALENTINE seemed superficial compared to the book which I had previously read and admired. Now, she tackles a more ambitious project with TALK TO ME, a biopic of ex-con Ralph ‘Petey’ Greene (Don Cheadle) who became a popular DJ and talk show personality and a political activist.
“While in prison Petey has the opportunity to be the DJ on the in-house radio station. While visiting his brother Milo, Dewey Hughes (Chiwetel Ejiofor), a young apprentice at a Washington, D. C. radio station meets Petey and compliments his music choices and DJ style. ‘Look me up when you get out of here,’ he says never guessing that Petey would find a way to con himself out prison within a matter of weeks.
“In a hilarious scene, Petey and his girlfriend Vernell (Tarahu P. Henson) arrive at the radio station looking for an interview. There timing is impeccable as station manager E. G. Sonderling (Martin Sheen) is pushing to make some changes. Dewey goes out on a limb and give Petey some airtime but Petey’s political incorrectness and in-your-face approach don’t please the big bosses at the station. Petey is quickly booted out the door. But the calls start coming in ‘Where’s Petey?’ Defying his higher-ups Dewey gives Petey another chance and he becomes one of the most popular radio personalities in history.
“Vaguely reminiscent of Patrice Leconte’s THE MAN ON THE TRAIN, each man secretly envies the other. Dewey always wanted to be a hot, talked about DJ and Petey longed for some degree of respectability, at the very least the ‘respect’ part. To some extent both men get what they want, not necessarily the way they expected. When Martin Luther King is assassinated, it is Petey who calms the angry masses. Dewey becomes a wealthy man and even gets his chance on the radio. Sadly, Petey’s ‘truth and directness’ becomes a commodity. Their friendship suffers the stress of fame and fortune.
“Once again there is a lot of posturing in Lemmons film but not much substance. Cheadle and Ejiofor are both wonderful in their respective roles as is Tarahu P. Henson, formerly seen in HUSTLE AND FLOW. They all make the best with what they are given. Martin Sheen is in poor form here, adding nothing in the way of character to his role. The soundtrack features Sam Cooke, Al Green, Booker T, The Staple Singers, Clarence Carter Eddie Floyd, Wilson Pickett and Billy Preston among others. That alone provides reason to see this film. 3 cats”