Talk to Me

Talk to Me ***1/2

Directed by Kasi Lemmons
Written by Michael Genet and Rick Famuyiwa

Starring:
Don Cheadle as Ralph "Petey" Greene
Chiwetel Ejiofor as Dewey Hughes
Cedric the Entertainer as Nighthawk” Bob Terry
Taraji P. Henson as Vernell
Mike Epps as Milo Hughes
Vondie Curtis-Hall as Sunny Jim Kelsey
Martin Sheen as E.G. Sonderling

118 Minutes(Rated R for pervasive language and some sexual content. )
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"Talk to Me" is more evidence that Don Cheadle needs an Oscar. Having already played a variety of characters over the last few years, it was always wondered why he hadn't won an Oscar over the last few years. While I would have to question the validity of portions of the screenplay, and this certainly is one of the most biased accounts of anyone that I can think of, "Talk to Me" is well acted, slightly moving, and, and this might surprise you, very very funny. The first half plays as a straight comedy, with the second half moving into buddy comedy territory. There are short bouts of drama involving civil rights and the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., and of course the final ten minutes has to leave the audience on some kind of somber note, but this is an uplifting and rather joyous account into a certain period in the life of Petey Green.

Ralph "Petey" Green was in jail when he met radio station worker Dewey Hughes. Dewey was visiting his incarcerated brother at the time. Green had been doing a stint on the prison radio, and was causing quite a stir with the other inmates. Green finds Dewey and tries to get himself a job, and to get him away from him, Dewey ends up promising some sort of job when he got out-in five to ten years. But five to ten years comes sooner, and Green is let out after doing special services to the prison, and he does not hesitate in going to the station for his job. Dewey, at first, refuses, but then decides to give Green a chance, and he is surprised by how much charisma he has, and has no choice but to let him stay on the air in response to the large bulk of people that start to listen. And during one of the hardest periods of time for African Americans, Green provides a certain comfort during various civil rights movement, and the death of Dr. King. Dewey becomes his manager of sorts, and their partnership grows to television, movies, and a fatal appearance on "The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson" that may just put a halt to the "empire" that Dewey was building for Petey.

Although you would not expect it from a biopic, "Talk to Me" does have its laughs, and those are the best moments. It's towards the end, after Petey and Dewey have the fight that puts a scar on their friendship for years, that the film goes on a bit too long, giving more closure into the life of Dewey than Petey. The films best scenes are when Petey is on the radio, voicing his views on things, and taking listener calls. The switch in tones does make the film suffer, only slightly, even though the segment after Martin Luther King's death was very moving and well done. The highlight of the whole show is certainly the acting, and not just by Don Cheadle, but by Chiwetel Ejiofor. The two of them are well matched together. Ejiofor never really was able to make a full name for himself, but he has done many memorable performances in the past. Maybe with this he'll skyrocket just a bit more. And Cheadle is, as always, a joy to watch. After watching him coast through work like "Ocean's Thirteen" earlier this year, it's easy to see where he puts the most effort. Taraji P. Henson is fun to watch too as Petey's long time girlfriend, and there is some entertaining bits by Cedric the Entertainer. The bit by Mike Epps could have been played by anybody.

The 60's and the 70's is our setting, and the wardrobe design highlights it, with Cheadle and his girlfriend mostly highlighting those embarrassing outfits that I wish I were around to see years ago, in contrast to the business suits that are worn by the more executive characters. This just adds to the fun, and I could hear my audience react tot the costumes that the characters were wearing. And there is this constant energy around the whole thing, and its easy to see that everyone was putting in their best effort. "Talk to Me" is not one of the year's best films, but it contains some of the best acting I've seen so far. Cheadle could join the list as early contenders for Best Actor nominees, and Ejiofor shouldn't be overlooked either. This is a great remedy to the big budget blockbusters out now-an entertaining biopic that could appeal to the indie crowd, as well as large audiences. I see "Talk to Me" lasting through the summer and even through the early crowd of award season in September. It really is a lot of fun.