"Talk to Me" shows dreams can come true - if you want them to
Written: Aug 11 '07 (Updated Dec 24 '08)
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Product Rating:
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| Bang For The Buck |
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Pros: Engaging true life story, wonderful acting, great script
Cons: Profanity and nudity may offend some, not suitable for children
The Bottom Line: "Talk to Me" conveys the emotions and feelings of its time expertly. The acting, script, and music are excellent. I laughed and I cried. I recommend it highly.
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| dusksunset's Full Review: Talk to Me |
"Talk to Me" is based on the true life story of Petey Greene, an ex-con who becomes a popular DJ in Washington, DC in the 1960's. Although I'm a baby boomer, I had never heard of Greene before seeing this movie. The film made me sorry about that, as he was an exceptional, though flawed, human being.
Great cast
The lead role is played expertly by one of my favorite actors, Don Cheadle. He does a wonderful job of portraying a street smart man who has limited ambition coupled with unlimited ability. Greene's only goal was to be a radio DJ and once he accomplishes this, he is content. How he does this is in large part due to the support of his patient girlfriend, Vernell (the lovely Taraji P. Henson). Other DJs at the station are played by Cedric the Entertainer and Vondie Curtis Hall, with Martin Sheen as the often too worried station owner.
Greene's mentor at the station, Dewey Hughes, played by Chiwetal Ejiofor, sees in Petey all the possibilities of becoming a big star, something Petey himself is not so sure about. The movie's theme, to me, is that you have to live your own dreams and not try to put them on someone else.
Reflects its historical setting
The movie shows how the real life Greene was able to stem a tide of racially motivated violence in DC through his broadcasts after the murder of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Had he done nothing else in his life, his actions at that time would have made him worth remembering. Sadly, Greene died relatively young. That he had made his mark on his hometown was clear when 10,000 people attended his funeral.
But don't think for a minute that this movie is always serious. The talented cast and well written script demonstrate a great deal of humor and the songs are the Motown and other soul classics I remember from that time. This will be one of the better soundtrack albums for this year. I very much enjoyed "Talk to Me" and recommend it enthusiastically.
Take a trip back into the '60s with "Talk to Me." You'll enjoy the visit and will appreciate how far we've come since then. Afterwards, think carefully about your own dreams and whether you're on the path to achieving them for yourself.
Recommended:
Yes
Movie Mood: None of the Above
Viewing Method: Other
Film Completeness: Looked complete to me.
Worst Part of this Film: Nothing
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Epinions.com ID:
dusksunset
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Location: Gainesville FL
Reviews written: 84
Trusted by: 3 members
About Me:
I am a Gainesville, FL based freelance writer.
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