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Talk to Me (2007 film)

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Wikipedia article


{{Infobox film

| name = Talk to Me

| image = Talk to me poster.jpg

| caption = Theatrical release poster

| director = Kasi Lemmons

| producer =

| writer =

| starring =

| music = Terence Blanchard

| cinematography = Stphane Fontaine

| editing = Terilyn A. Shropshire

| studio =

| distributor = Focus Features

| released =

| runtime = 118 minutes

| country = United States

| language = English

| budget =

| gross = $4.8 million

}}

'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.

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.

Cast



* Don Cheadle as Ralph "Petey" Greene

* Chiwetel Ejiofor as Dewey Hughes

* Taraji P. Henson as Vernell Watson

* Cedric the Entertainer as "Nighthawk" Bob Terry

* Mike Epps as Milo Hughes

* Martin Sheen as E.G. Sonderling

* Vondie Curtis Hall as Sunny Jim Kelsey

* Richard Chevolleau as Poochie Braxton

* Alison Sealy-Smith as Freda

* Elle Downs as Peaches

* Herbert L. Rawlings, Jr. as James Brown

* Damir Andrei as Frederick de Cordova

* Jim Malmberg as Johnny Carson

Reception



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." On Metacritic, the film has an average score of 69 out of 100 based on 32 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".

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."

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.

Release

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

Awards and nominations



* African-American Film Critics

** 'Best Director: Kasi Lemmons (Winner)'

** 'Best Actor: Don Cheadle (Winner)'

** 'Best Supporting Actor: Chiwetel Ejiofor (Winner)'

*

** Outstanding Motion Picture (Nominated)

** Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture: Don Cheadle (Nominated)

** Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture: Taraji P. Henson (Nominated)

** 'Outstanding Director in a Motion Picture: Kasi Lemmons (Winner)'

** Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture: Chiwetel Ejiofor (Nominated)

** 'Outstanding Writing for a Motion Picture: Michael Genet & Rick Famuyiwa (Winner)'

* Independent Spirit Awards

** Best Male Lead: Don Cheadle (Nominated)

** 'Best Supporting Male: Chiwetel Ejiofor (Winner)'

* Gotham Awards

** 'Best Ensemble (Winner)'

* Satellite Awards

** Best Actor in a Musical/Comedy: Don Cheadle (Nominated)

** Best Supporting Actress: Taraji P. Henson (Nominated)

References




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