Kasi Lemmons has been around for a while, she's Black Famous. The Five Heartbeats, and Candyman are among her acting credits. Where she really shines, is as a director. Films such as Eve's Bayou, Black Nativity and the subject of this piece, Talk to Me. In 2007 an all star cast was assembled to star in the film, a dramatization Petey Greene's life. The film is written by Michael Genet and Rick Famuyiwa, who also have extensive track records. The stars of the film include Don Cheadle, Taraji P. Henson, Cedric the Entertainor, Mike Epps and Chiwetel Ejiofor.
The film tarts in the 60s when Petey is sitting jail. He's working as the prison DJ and the people love him. He's got a wild mouth that can't be stopped. Dewey Hughes the program director at a local radio station hears Petey when he visits his brother Milo in prison. Dewey suggests that Petey find him when he gets out of prison. Petey stops a man from committing suicide, only after it's revealed Petey talked him onto the roof anyway. Petey gets time served and heads over to the radio station. He's given a job sorting mail and picking up trash. He demands a shot from Dewey who denies. Eventually Petey gets chance when another DJ quits. He's fired for language and conversation topics, but they bring him back after a fan outpouring.
After Martin Luther King Jr is shot, Petey is sent on the air to calm the protesters. He doesn't do that. Instead he goes on the air, and shares his honest feelings. The rest of the films follows Petey as he inadvertently becomes an activist. He attempts to transition to television and stand up comedy before culminating with his death.
It seems that all biographical films have some sort of backlash from the family. In this case, the family believes it invents things that didn't happen, leaves out context or is rearranged. In fairness, Greene's family didn't cooperate with the creation of the film.
Still, the film is a great look into Petey Greene's life, someone a lot of people, myself included did not know of. It might not be the perfect or most accurate depiction of his life, but it's a start. It's also the quality we've come to expect from the cast and crew involved in this one. All while giving us some great laughs along the way.
You can check out some of my fiction at 12 AM Fiction or follow my web serial Exsanguinate and of course hear me on the Powerbomb Jutsu podcast.
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