Official Movie Website Theatrical Release 07/13/07 (Limited) 07/27/07 (St. Louis) Home Video Not Available MPAA Rating Rated R for pervasive language and some sexual content Running Time 1 hour 58 minutes Genre Drama Director Kasi Lemmons Writer Michael Genet, Rick Famuyiwa, Kasi Lemmons Cast Don Cheadle, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Taraji P. Henson, Mike Epps, Vondie Curtis Hall, Cedric the Entertainer, Martin Sheen Studio Focus Features |
TALK TO ME
SYNOPSIS
Academy Award nominee Don Cheadle portrays
the one and only Ralph Waldo "Petey" Greene Jr.;
Petey's story is funny, dramatic, inspiring – and
real.
In the mid-to-late 1960s, in Washington, D.C.,
vibrant soul music and exploding social
consciousness were combining to unique and
powerful effect. It was the place and time for Petey
to fully express himself – sometimes to
outrageous effect – and "tell it like it is." With the
support of his irrepressible and tempestuous
girlfriend Vernell (Taraji P. Henson), the newly
minted ex-con talks his way into an on-air radio
gig. He forges a friendship and a partnership with
fellow prison inmate Milo's (Mike Epps) brother
Dewey Hughes (double Golden Globe Award
nominee Chiwetel Ejiofor).
From the first wild morning on the air, Petey relies
on the more straight-laced Dewey to run
interference at WOL-AM, where Dewey is the
program director. At the station, Petey becomes an
iconic radio personality, surpassing even the
established popularity of his fellow disc jockeys,
Nighthawk (Cedric The Entertainer) and Sunny Jim
(Vondie Curtis Hall). Combining biting humor with
social commentary, Petey openly courts
Academy Award nominee Don Cheadle portrays
the one and only Ralph Waldo "Petey" Greene Jr.;
Petey's story is funny, dramatic, inspiring – and
real.
In the mid-to-late 1960s, in Washington, D.C.,
vibrant soul music and exploding social
consciousness were combining to unique and
powerful effect. It was the place and time for Petey
to fully express himself – sometimes to
outrageous effect – and "tell it like it is." With the
support of his irrepressible and tempestuous
girlfriend Vernell (Taraji P. Henson), the newly
minted ex-con talks his way into an on-air radio
gig. He forges a friendship and a partnership with
fellow prison inmate Milo's (Mike Epps) brother
Dewey Hughes (double Golden Globe Award
nominee Chiwetel Ejiofor).
From the first wild morning on the air, Petey relies
on the more straight-laced Dewey to run
interference at WOL-AM, where Dewey is the
program director. At the station, Petey becomes an
iconic radio personality, surpassing even the
established popularity of his fellow disc jockeys,
Nighthawk (Cedric The Entertainer) and Sunny Jim
(Vondie Curtis Hall). Combining biting humor with
social commentary, Petey openly courts
© 2003 St. Louis Movie Review Weekly. All rights reserved, except where indicated.
All movie titles, pictures, etc...are the property of their respective studios.
All movie titles, pictures, etc...are the property of their respective studios.
| ST. LOUIS MOVIE REVIEW WEEKLY |
controversy for station owner E.G. Sonderling (Emmy Award winner Martin Sheen).
Petey was determined to make not just himself but his community heard during an exciting and turbulent
period in American history. As Petey's voice, humor, and spirit surge across the airwaves with the vitality
of the era, listeners tune in to hear not only incredible music but also a man speaking directly to them
about race and power in America like few people ever have. Through the years, Petey's "The truth just is"
style --- on – and off-air – would redefine both Petey and Dewey, and empower each to become the man he
would most like to be. -- © Focus Feature
Petey was determined to make not just himself but his community heard during an exciting and turbulent
period in American history. As Petey's voice, humor, and spirit surge across the airwaves with the vitality
of the era, listeners tune in to hear not only incredible music but also a man speaking directly to them
about race and power in America like few people ever have. Through the years, Petey's "The truth just is"
style --- on – and off-air – would redefine both Petey and Dewey, and empower each to become the man he
would most like to be. -- © Focus Feature