TALK TO ME
US, 2007, 118 minutes, Colour.
Don Cheadle, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Mike Epps, Tarajip Henson, Cedric the Entertainer, Martin Sheen, Vondie Curtis Hall.
Directed by Kasi Lemmons.
‘Talk to me’ was the slogan of US DJ, Petey Greene who came to prominence in the Washington DC area in the late 1960s and continued through until the 1980s.
What is significant about Petey Greene is that he fulfilled the American Dream, that someone with little background and material benefits going for him can reach the top of a profession. As the film opens, we hear Petey on the prison radio where he is serving time for theft. He then encounters Dewey Hughes, an executive at a DC station and makes him promise to give him a job. After staging a heroic talking down of a prisoner from the roof, he is freed and comes for his job, upsetting Hughes and his boss. However, with ratings slipping, Hughes decides to give him an opportunity which fails because of nerves. A second chance has him insulting Berry Gordon and being fired. However, they try again, inviting phone in – and the result is a great success. Petey talks to his audience and listens.
Why this is all more significant than a simple rags to riches story is that Peter Greene and Dewey Hughes were African Americans working at a white-owned station. It is the era of the Civil Rights movement and Petey is on air at the time of Martin Luther King’s assassination and tries to calm the rioting and looting crowds. His show provided a voice for many voiceless Americans and he became a figurehead.
During the 1970s, he career blossomed under Dewey’s management: more radio, stand-up comedy and television chat shows. However, there came a point on the Johnny Carson Show where he had to take stock of himself, what he was good at and be satisfied with that.
Director Kasi Lemmons (Eve’s Bayou) recreates the period effectively, especially the Washington riots in 1968. And she gets fine performances indeed from Don Cheadle as Petey Greene and Britain’s Chiwitel Ejiofor as Dewey Hughes. Martin Sheen is the station owner.
In interesting portrait and a reminder of different times.
1.A portrait of Petey Greene, of radio, of character, of dreams, of race issues, prison?
2.The title, Greene and his slogan? The effect? A voice for African Americans? Especially in the 1960s, the era of civil rights, the death of Martin Luther King?
3.The world of the prison, the contrast with freedom in Washington DC, the radio studios? The re-creation of the period, the 1960s, Washington, the riots after the death of Martin Luther King? Into the 70s and 80s? New York, the Tonight Show? The importance of the musical score, the range of music played by Petey Greene?
4.Petey and his style, his background as a thief, his relationship with Vernell? Dewey’s visit? His reaction to Petey? The set-up on the roof, getting the prisoner down, the warden and Petey having freedom? His visit to the radio station, embarrassing people, the secretary, Mr Sonderling, Dewey? Dewey’s reaction? Vernell and her wanting to go and kiss Nighthawk? Their being ousted?
5.The character of Dewey, his style, dress, the comments about Sidney Poitier and white soul, visiting his brother in prison, the successive visits, and his change of heart after his arrogance? Their mother? Petey and his reaction in the prison, at the radio station? His being advanced, speaking to the board, wanting to change the profile of the station? Petey and his arrival, the embarrassment? The tryout, the fiasco, nerves, talking about Berry Gordon? Getting the sack? Dewey in the bar, hearing the people talking, the truth about issues? Sunny Jim Kelsey and his being sacked, locked in his office? Petey giving out the phone number, the number of calls, Mr Songerling's change of heart, the change?
6.Petey and his life, nerves, return to the station? His style on the phone, speaking the truth? Talk radio and its success? The death of Martin Luther King, his moving handling of the situation, the calls? Mr Sonderling weeping?
7.The background of racial issues, the 1960s, Martin Luther King, the dreams, giving a voice to African Americans, the role of radio?
8.The assassination, the subsequent riots in Washington, the burning of cars and buildings, looting? Petey and his handling of the situation, getting people to be calm? The concert, his coming late, drunk, the riots, the police stands, his speaking, introducing James Brown, the music, the success of the concert?
9.Dewey and his style of life, as an executive, as a friend of Petey, wanting to become his manager – and the effect on him, freedom, the change of clothes, manner, salary?
10.Petey and Vernell, their relationship, his infidelity with the young woman, Vernell turning him out, naked and seeking help from Dewey? His repentance and reconciliation?
11.The collage of his radio shows over the decade, stand-up comic routines, his audiences, his television show, the guests?
12.The build-up to the Johnny Carson Show, his nerves, his disappearance, Dewey and his concern, Vernell? His going on-screen, his serious speech? Its being covered up? The split between the two?
13.Dewey, his subsequent career, on radio, a success as a DJ, using Petey’s style?
14.Vernell’s visit to him, talking about Petey being sick? Dewey going to see him, in the bar, the background of their game of pool, Dewey defeating Petey and talking about his being brought up in the neighbourhoods? The playing again? The reconciliation, their walking through Washington talking? Strong friendship?
15.The funeral crowds, the tributes to Petey Greene?
16.The subsequent information about Petey Greene and his influence, about Dewey Hughes and his success?
