Talk to Me

“Talk to Me,” a biopic, explores the symbiotic relationship between Ralph Waldo “Petey” Greene (Don Cheadle), an ex-con turned radio talk show host in Washington DC during the late 60s – early 80s, and Dewey Hughes (Chiwetel Ejiofor), an upwardly mobile black man who gives Petey his first job. “You say what I’m afraid to say,” says Dewey at one point in the movie, “and I do what you’re afraid to do.” This statement pretty much sums up director Kasi Lemmons’ (“Eve’s Bayou”) perspective; she doesn’t force her audience to choose one man over the other. Both Cheadle and Ejiofor are effective as men who are seemingly polar opposites yet develop a strong bond of friendship. The soundtrack, full of vintage pop music, is also another plus. "Talk to Me" is definitely worth seeing. (7/18/07)