Talk to Me (2007)

Director:

Kasi Lemmons

Writers (WGA):

Michael Genet (screenplay) and
Rick Famuyiwa (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

3 August 2007 (USA)

Genre:

Biography | Drama | History

Tagline:

Inspired by a true story

Plot:

The story of Washington D.C. radio personality Ralph "Petey" Greene, an ex-con who became a popular talk show host and community activist in the 1960s.

Plot Keywords:

Disc Jockey | Comedy Club | Sex | 1980s | Prison

Awards:

4 wins & 7 nominations

US TV Schedule:

Mon. Sept. 1

1:30 AM

HBO

Cast

Don Cheadle	...	Petey Greene
Chiwetel Ejiofor	...	Dewey Hughes
Bruce McFee	...	Prison Sign-In Guard
Mike Epps	...	Milo Hughes
Peter MacNeill	...	Warden Cecil Smithers
Adam Gaudreau	...	Escorting Guard
Taraji P. Henson	...	Vernell Watson
Cedric the Entertainer	...	'Nighthawk' Bob Terry
Martin Sheen	...	E.G. Sonderling
J. Miles Dale	...	Program Director
Sean MacMahon	...	Ronnie Simmons
Richard Chevolleau	...	Poochie Braxton
Martin Randez	...	Hadley
Todd Schroeder	...	Guard Captain (as Todd William Schroeder)
Vondie Curtis-Hall	...	Sunny Jim Kelsey (as Vondie Curtis Hall)

Also Known As:

Petey Greene's Washington (USA) (working title)
Parla con me (Italy) [it]
Syntonisteite... stin alitheia (Greece) (DVD title) [el]

MPAA:

Rated R for pervasive language and some sexual content.

Runtime:

118 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital | DTS

Certification:

USA:R | Netherlands:6 | Germany:12 | Ireland:15A | UK:15 | South Korea:15

Filming Locations:

Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

Company:

Sidney Kimmel Entertainment

Trivia:

An earlier version of this film was in development in June 2000. It was to be titled "Petey Greene's Washington" and star Martin Lawrence. Greene's biographer Lurma Rackley was to write the script but contract negotiations broke down.

Goofs:

Factual errors: Petey Green is hired to do a daily morning show when in reality, he only did a Sunday show on WOL.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Petey Greene: Wake up, goddammit!

Movie Connections:

References "Petey Greene's Washington" (1976)

Soundtrack:

Tramp

Great performances, great evolution...

Well done! This movie hooks you initially with its comedy, but then evolves into a serious look at not only race relations, but every individual's struggle to define him/herself. Don Cheadle is so spot-on that it's easy to think it was an effortless role for him, but that would be shortchanging the man for his talents. But the real bonus of the film for me was discovering the supporting actors -- I had never heard of Chiwetel Ejiofor or Taraji Henson before, but, boy, I'll be looking for them now. And if all else fails, the soundtrack for this movie was more than worth the ticket price! Kudos to Kasi Lemmons, the cast and crew!