If you're a fan of "Talk Radio," if you're a fan of " Private Parts," then you may just be up for Lemmon's "Talk to Me." The thrill about such a film is that the writers aspire to show the power of words, and the power of the spoken word. Petey Greene just isn't a DJ, he's a word smith, a man who can inspire and enrage people, and he naturally
demands that people listen whenever he talks. "Talk to Me" may be cliché and creaky, but damn it, it's a great film with two fantastic performances from two of my favorite modern actors. "Talk to Me" is the story of convince Petey Greene, a man who tricked his way out of an armed robbery sentence and managed to track down a radio manager who inadvertently promised him a job.

Petey became a rather influential deejay thanks to his way with words and fast talking, and Kasi Lemmons paints a rather fantastic dramedy that relies on the talents of its two principle stars that make this film an easy sell, even to those not particularly interested in the story of Petey Greene. But it's difficult not to be, especially since Greene is too familiar a character to yours truly. Actor Don Cheadle is absolutely wonderful as Greene, depicted here as a man who wants to be heard and not seen. He's a man who knows about nothing else but talking and he talks fast. Don Cheadle is truly believable as this hunched over smooth talking rebel who will do whatever it takes to be heard by someone. And he shows that words are powerful when spoken from the right person. Cheadle is truly a great performer giving this man a down to Earth atmosphere that never undermines the intent of the story Simmons is attempting to tell.

Ejiofor makes the character of Dewey Hughes both an antagonist and mirror image of Greene, giving some truly great chemistry in the process. Ejiofor's monologues are powerful as this man he's the successful executive who came from the exact same place Greene did. "Talk to Me" is a film that doesn't lie. It's a biography, it's a sensationalist biography, and it's a sensationalist biography with a message. Greene knows that a man behind the mic of a radio station has a responsibility, and a duty to report what's true, what's real and what can connect to the masses listening, and he takes every single advantage to throw out to his listeners that he's a real person just trying to be heard, and he soon finds that he's unable to fit into his newly found fame in the midst of Hughes attempting to turn him into more than a simple DJ.

Greene is not someone of incredible character, Simmons paints him as a down to the salt thug who found a calling in a world of music and preaching. And during the constant morals, Simmons keeps the pace lively and the characters utterly enthralling. From Martin Sheen, right down to Taraji P. Henson, not a single actor fails at their purpose, and elevates this as one of the better films of 2007. The show Cheadle and Ejiofor put on is fantastic; they have the quick wit of Jimmy Stewart and Cary Grant along the style and fire of Redford and Newman, and the film is an excellent metaphor on how truly incredible words can be over action.

Ejiofor and Cheadle are a force to be reckoned with in possibly one of the better films of 2007. Excellent performances, a lively pace, and a strong moral about the power of words make "Talk to Me" a biopic all on its own level.

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