Talk to Me
A charismatic ex-convict transforms Washington radio into a provocative platform for Black identity, humor, and social truth.
Overview
A powerful voice emerges from the chaos of a changing America, challenging the status quo with humor and honesty.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Mild
- witty
- energetic
- provocative
- music movie night
- black history month
What critics said
Critics broadly found the film a riveting biographical drama elevated beyond formula by Don Cheadle and Chiwetel Ejiofor's explosive performances.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The film dramatizes Ralph Waldo 'Petey' Greene Jr.'s rise from ex-convict to influential Washington radio personality.
Petey's broadcasts and WOL-AM career place Black radio at the center of changing American conversations about race and power.
Petey's blunt humor and 'tell it like it is' persona win listeners while courting controversy with station owner E.G. Sonderling.
The film's late-1960s and early-1970s wardrobe and production design evoke the era's Black popular culture and radio milieu.
Films like Talk to Me, and why
Ray
shared biographical drama focus, charismatic Black performer, music industry setting, and social commentary
The United States vs. Billie Holiday
shared period music drama, African American cultural history, and a transformative central performance
Malcolm X
shared biographical drama about a provocative Black cultural figure whose public voice challenges social power
Movie Details
- Director
- Kasi Lemmons
- Release Date
- 2007-07-13
- Runtime
- 118 min
- Rating
- 6.8 / 10 (136)
Cast
- Don Cheadle
- Chiwetel Ejiofor
- Bruce McFee
- Mike Epps
- Peter MacNeill
- Adam Gaudreau
- Taraji P. Henson
- Cedric the Entertainer
- Martin Sheen
- J. Miles Dale
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Netflix, Netflix Standard with Ads, ALLBLK Apple TV channel, ALLBLK Amazon channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Talk to Me about?
- A charismatic ex-convict transforms Washington radio into a provocative platform for Black identity, humor, and social truth.
- What is Talk to Me like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Talk to Me as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Talk to Me violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Talk to Me as mild.
- What did critics think of Talk to Me?
- Critics broadly found the film a riveting biographical drama elevated beyond formula by Don Cheadle and Chiwetel Ejiofor's explosive performances.
- Which films are like Talk to Me?
- Films with a similar feel include Ray, The United States vs. Billie Holiday, and Malcolm X.
- How long is Talk to Me?
- Talk to Me runs 118 minutes.
- Where can I watch Talk to Me?
- In United States, Talk to Me streams on Netflix, Netflix Standard with Ads, ALLBLK Apple TV channel, ALLBLK Amazon channel .
