Iffy for 15+
Cheadle shines in radio icon biopic. Not for kids.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that this biopic about controversial '60s radio host Petey Greene isn't for kids. Though Greene is often very funny, the film focuses on the sources of his comedy: his anger at oppressive systems of class and racism. Expect lots of sexual references and sexy outfits (a couple of scenes, while not explicit, also show some lively writhing). A fight (punching and falling) between rivals ends when Martin Luther King, Jr.'s assassination is announced; a brief sequence following shows street rioting (looting, flames, explosion). Language is super spicy and includes lots of uses of both "f--k" and the "N" word (spoken by African-American characters).
- Families can talk about the accuracy of biopics. Do you think movies based on true stories (particularly one person's life) generally stick to the facts? Why would filmmakers change details? How could you find out what really happened and what might have been exaggerated? Families can also discuss what Petey's commentary has in common with the later humor of comics like Richard Pryor and Dave Chappelle. What function does envelope-pushing "shock" comedy serve in society?
The good stuff
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Messages: Petey is rude and crude, drinks and smokes to excess, and repeatedly resists authority (even claiming to have stolen silverware fro the White House); still, he embodies a moral code, speaking truth to power.
What to watch for
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Violence: A fight in the office includes punching; report of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s assassination leads to riots in D.C. streets (fires, looting, car explosion).
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Sex: Vernell repeatedly wears short, cleavage-enhancing outfits (she calls it "Foxy-ed up," as in the movie character Foxy Brown); she visits Petey in prison in the "booty line," removes her bra from beneath her shirt and hands it to Dewey in public, and engages in deep kissing in public places. Sexual language includes repeated uses of "d--k," "pimp," and other phrases ("What you got in your boxers?"). A naked man appears on the prison rooftop (not explicit, but plain enough). Vernell catches Petey having sex with another woman (naked buttocks visible) and gets very upset, revealing a sexual liaison with Petey's coworker (it takes place off-screen, but she flaunts it).
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Language: Frequent and varied language, including "f--k" (at least 35 times, sometimes with "mother-"), "damn," "s--t" (25+), "ass," "b--ch," "hell," "p--sy," as well as repeated uses of the n-word (at least 25 times) and a string of anti-white slang ("honky," "ofay," "peckerwood," "cracker").
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Consumerism: References to and images of popular figures of the day, including Foxy Brown, Berry Gordy, James Brown, Michael Jackson, Sam Cooke, Bette Midler, Johnny Carson, "Mr. Tibbs" (from In the Heat of the Night), etc.
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Drinking, drugs and smoking: Frequent cigarette smoking and drinking (in bar scenes and elsewhere); Petey appears staggering drunk at a concert he's meant to emcee (he vomits) and is also drunk for his appearance on The Tonight Show; allusions to drug abuse; Petey looks ill at the end, coughing harshly (apparently the result of his many years abusing drugs, liquor, and cigarettes).
Fan Reviews provided by
5
Cleverly Scripted and Created by mochabutter24
Don Cheadle, is the one to beat as Lead Actor for the Oscar race. He not only encompasses Petey Green, but we experience, empathize and sympathize with his street-smart nature. Tarji Henson also delivers and incredible performance as his longtime girlfiend-she should also be considered for Best Supporting Actress. Chiewetel Ejiofor is superb as usual (he's surrounded by high caliber thespians like Cheadle and Henson) as the business saavy, inhibted, ambitious character and polar opposite friend that compliements Petey Green and vice versa. It is well constrcuted, written, acted, and again heavy emphasis on the amazing performance of the Dynamic Don Cheadle. 96 of 100 is my rating for this masterpiece of modern cinema.
5
Awesome Performances by harlemgrrl
Great story of friendship between two men during turbulent times. Fantastic tem effort by the entire cast. Amazing Henson, wonderful Cheadle and Ejiofor. A high recommend for fans of dramas and historic 60s period. Can we give Cheadles his due NOW!??
5
Excellent!!!Excellent!!!Excellent!!!Excellent!!! by AntBoog
Don Cheadle does it again. The ENTIRE cast for that matter was excellent. Much praises and "hats off" to you. Can't wait for the DVD and the behind-the-scenes footage.
David AKA D-Black
5
Great movie, great acting, great story by bgagne
Don Cheadle was WONDERFUL - I forgot it was him! What a great actor! This was a great cast and a well put together movie. The story line was amazing. I am amazed at how we are given gifts and opportunity to use those gifts in spite of ourselves. A must see.
5
The Acting is Superb and the background music is spectacular by e.coleman.jordan
I was a first year law student in Washington, DC while Petey Greene ruled the airwaves. He was an outsized personality. I had never heard anything like the level of jive talk and brutal candor on the air anywhere I had lived before. A testimony to Don Cheadle's acting chops is that he doesn't look anything like Petey Greene, but he sure did channel him, brilliantly. I was in a large theater where every seat was taken on opening night and it was earie how the audience shouted out the lines of Petey Greene signature signoff. The background music was perfectly chosen. Six Stars on a Five Star Scale.
5
Washingtonians Must Go by latyler0517
Great movie. I'm a Washingtonian whose parents are also Washingtonians. My paternal grandmother often fed Petey Greene during his early teen years. He was a friend of my Mom and Dad. In fact, he acknowledged my mother's life and funeral service on his radio show in October 1976. I personally didn't know him, but enjoyed the movie because it explained a lot of things that I had heard about Petey Greene back in the day.
5
Talk to me by lovepumps2
I enjoyed this movie from the beginning to the end. I would like to see a part two.
5
TV ONE HISTORY by Soulriff
Although the Poli-Tricks and Low Budget have conspired to stymie the attendance of this film, This is Definitely one of the most in-depth Movies of the Year. Don Cheadle, Chiwetel Ejiofor and Tariji P. Henson give Memorable Performances in a Slice of African-American History That won't be told through Corporate Manipulators...Anyone who fancies themselves as a Fan of TV One needs to see the History as well as those who want to see an All-Star Cast perform at an Optimum Level.....
4
Great acting saves the day (the movie) by openroad
I don't know the extent to which this "inspired by a true story" biopic takes liberties from the life of DC radio personality Petey Greene and those around him. I do know that it all too often lapses into over-used plot lines (e.g., the way in which Greene gets his break at the radio station), themes (e.g., the conflict between success and being true to your roots) and various touches (e.g., piping in '60s music to convey the mood the times, though admittedly this works well here because, after all, the movie largely takes place at a radio station). The movie's stengths, however, are in the compelling nature of Greene's life and the many winning performances: by the lead, Don Cheadle, one of the very greatest film actors around; the two main supports, Taraji P. Hensen as his girlfriend and Chiwetel Ejiofor as his manager; and others in the cast. Not being from DC, I did not know who Petey Greene was, and I am glad to have learned about him, even if through a somewhat formulaic movie.
5
cheadle does petey well by dgoldblatt
really good film which conjures a time and place well.
cheadle and the other male lead were wonderful.