Talk to Me (B- or 2.5/4 stars)
'Talk to Me', a biodrama directed by Kasi Lemmons, tells the true story of Washington D.C. radio personality 'Petey' Greene (Don Cheadle), an ex-con who segued to becoming a hugely popular talk show host & community activist in the mid-late 1960's. The film chronicles his lows, his highs, and all in-between that led to his death of lung cancer at the age of 53. Some 10,000 people attended his funeral, more than any non-elected person in D.C's history. Always along for the ride was his incredibly loyal girlfriend, Vernell (Taraji P. Henson), and his (eventual) friend & program director, Dewey Hewes (Chiwetel Ejiofor). In the end, there's not much to nitpick. The art direction is stellar. The film is well-made. I just wasn't overly wild about it.
In the 60's, D.C. (P-Town) was a hotbed for soulful music, awakening social consciousness/unrest, & a potential for 'black power' to spill onto the streets. There was no better time or place for Petey Greene to jump on the scene & 'tell it like it is'. Though he was outrageous in his delivery, he connected to the local black people. After marching in to WOL-AM with his irrepressible girlfriend at his side, Petey struts, flails & curses his way into an on-air gig; much to the chagrin of station manager, E.G. Sonderling (Martin Sheen). Thanks to Dewey (secretly sneaking him on the air), Petey becomes an iconic voice to be heard on the radio waves. He's able to easily eclipse the popularity of other black disc jockeys, Nighthawk & Sunny Jim (Cedric the Entertainer, Vondie Curtis-Hall).
Though his perfect timing, biting wit, & social commentary kept him afloat for a while, he strengthened his mark on society by trying to keep his turbulent listeners calm through the tumultuous period that saw Martin Luther King Jr. assassinated. He became a black advocate during the good times & the bad. Although they initially disliked each other, Petey & Dewey wound up being each other's crutch when they needed each other the most. And they were both responsible for each other's successes & failures (Petey colossally screwed up a gig on the influential 'Tonight Show' with Johnny Carson). Petey's dismissal from radio meant that a new disc jockey would have to step-in. Though he'd always feared what he had on his mind, Dewey steps-in & fulfills his unrealized dream.
For all his radio charisma & verbal intrigue, Petey never liked the camera, or even stand-up comedy. In the end, you see that each man empowered each other to try to better themselves. It's a nice concept, and it helps that this is a true story. But after the exciting, finger-snapping, high voltage beginning of the film, it only gets dour & more dour as it goes. It just loses its' spark. Petey's alcoholism gets out of hand, and he lives out the rest of his days doing small gigs. The problem with this section of the movie is that I didn't find Petey to be SO influential as a human being to warrant any kind of surface sadness as his career/health declined. His demise is not even half as interesting as his unlikely, groundbreaking ascent to stardom.
I'm glad I got to see the story of this man who had such influence over the minorities of the time. That he did it by speaking from his heart is quite inspiring. Don Cheadle is very good as Petey. He 'usually' acts with such restraint. I find it interesting that his performance juxtaposes Dewey Hewes' celebrity persona (Cheadle is known as Hollywood's sturdy & quiet black actor, likewise, Dewey was always the reserved, quiet, (almost uppity) black man who was content to stand in the shadows for a long time, ‘til he, too, got his chance to break-out). Another highlight of the film is Taraji P. Henson; she's very appealing here. But overall, 'Talk to Me' lacks depth. There's really not much to say about the man (after the 1st half of the movie). Nice film, but inconsequentially conveyed (to me) in the end.
In the 60's, D.C. (P-Town) was a hotbed for soulful music, awakening social consciousness/unrest, & a potential for 'black power' to spill onto the streets. There was no better time or place for Petey Greene to jump on the scene & 'tell it like it is'. Though he was outrageous in his delivery, he connected to the local black people. After marching in to WOL-AM with his irrepressible girlfriend at his side, Petey struts, flails & curses his way into an on-air gig; much to the chagrin of station manager, E.G. Sonderling (Martin Sheen). Thanks to Dewey (secretly sneaking him on the air), Petey becomes an iconic voice to be heard on the radio waves. He's able to easily eclipse the popularity of other black disc jockeys, Nighthawk & Sunny Jim (Cedric the Entertainer, Vondie Curtis-Hall).
Though his perfect timing, biting wit, & social commentary kept him afloat for a while, he strengthened his mark on society by trying to keep his turbulent listeners calm through the tumultuous period that saw Martin Luther King Jr. assassinated. He became a black advocate during the good times & the bad. Although they initially disliked each other, Petey & Dewey wound up being each other's crutch when they needed each other the most. And they were both responsible for each other's successes & failures (Petey colossally screwed up a gig on the influential 'Tonight Show' with Johnny Carson). Petey's dismissal from radio meant that a new disc jockey would have to step-in. Though he'd always feared what he had on his mind, Dewey steps-in & fulfills his unrealized dream.
For all his radio charisma & verbal intrigue, Petey never liked the camera, or even stand-up comedy. In the end, you see that each man empowered each other to try to better themselves. It's a nice concept, and it helps that this is a true story. But after the exciting, finger-snapping, high voltage beginning of the film, it only gets dour & more dour as it goes. It just loses its' spark. Petey's alcoholism gets out of hand, and he lives out the rest of his days doing small gigs. The problem with this section of the movie is that I didn't find Petey to be SO influential as a human being to warrant any kind of surface sadness as his career/health declined. His demise is not even half as interesting as his unlikely, groundbreaking ascent to stardom.
I'm glad I got to see the story of this man who had such influence over the minorities of the time. That he did it by speaking from his heart is quite inspiring. Don Cheadle is very good as Petey. He 'usually' acts with such restraint. I find it interesting that his performance juxtaposes Dewey Hewes' celebrity persona (Cheadle is known as Hollywood's sturdy & quiet black actor, likewise, Dewey was always the reserved, quiet, (almost uppity) black man who was content to stand in the shadows for a long time, ‘til he, too, got his chance to break-out). Another highlight of the film is Taraji P. Henson; she's very appealing here. But overall, 'Talk to Me' lacks depth. There's really not much to say about the man (after the 1st half of the movie). Nice film, but inconsequentially conveyed (to me) in the end.