Review of "Talk to Me"

Other Reviews:
"Karma Cafe" (movie)
"A Mighty Heart" (movie)
"Eavesdropper" (play)
Alexandros Kapelis (piano recital)




Actress turned director Kasi Lemmons has blossomed into a fine filmmaker with her creation of the new Don Cheadle movie "Talk to Me" based on the true story of Petey Greene, a black ex-con turned Washington D.C. radio personality during the 1960's, a period of turmoil over the Viet Nam war and the civil rights movement. Greene's "tell it like it is" style woke a sleepy R&B radio station into a major voice for the disenfranchised black majority living in our nation's capital at a time when it seemed the country was falling apart.

Kasi has turned Michael Genet and Rick Famuyiwa's excellent screenplay into a well crafted film, proving once again that new directors and new writers are a fountainhead of creativity that breath fresh air into our favorite form of art and entertainment. There is a good balance between character exposition, historical setting, and plot structure. The film does not pander to black or white stereotypes. If you're looking for a militant's view of history, it's not there, nor should it be, it's about a man and his friendship with another, manager Dewey Hughes, and how that friendship empowered them both. Unlike other recent films of this genre, the whites are also just people struggling with the issue of racism, many of whom were also devastated by Martin Luther King's murder.

Don Cheadle as Petey is first rate, something we've come to expect since "Hotel Rawanda" and "Crash".




Chiwetel Ejiofor as Dewey turns in his best yet in a decade of good performances.


Martin Sheene as the radio station owner shines in a supporting role with complexity and depth combining the establishment, compassion and progressiveness.


Tarajii P. Henson as Greene's love-of-his-life performs a consistently entertaining vision of the woman who stood by him and fought for him throughout his journey from his prison life to his finding his ultimate freedom. This is one character who was a little short changed in depth by the writer and director. The impersonations of Johnny Carson and James Brown are clever and believable.

The cinematography by Stephane Fontaine and editing by Terilyn Shropshire are first rate. The period music is appropriate and when used as commentary is not over done. All in all the movie was a well spent evening and I'd recommend it to anyone not offended by strong language. The only weakness I felt in the film was, as so often true in recent times, was the climax and ending failed to move emotionally or offer a turn that leaves one thinking about it. Other than that, I say, "See it for sure."

Other Reviews:
"Karma Cafe" (movie)
"Eavesdropper" (play)
"A Mighty Heart" (movie)
Alexandros Kapelis (piano recital)