• Starring: Chiwetel Ejiofor, Don Cheadle
  • Summary: In the mid-to-late 1960's, in Washington, D.C., vibrant soul music and exploding social consciousness were combining to unique and powerful effect. It was the place and time for Ralph Waldo "Petey" Greene Jr. to fully express himself - sometimes to outrageous effect - and "tell it like it is." With the support of his irrepressible and tempestuous girlfriend Vernell, the newly minted ex-con talks his way into an on-air radio gig. At the station, Petey becomes an iconic radio personality, surpassing even the established popularity of his fellow disc jockeys, Nighthawk and Sunny Jim. Combining biting humor with social commentary, Petey was determined to make not just himself but his community heard during an exciting and turbulent period in Amercian History. Based on the true story. (Focus Features) Expand
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 24 out of 33
  2. Negative: 0 out of 33
  1. A rowdy, richly offbeat biopic.
  2. 88
    Someone like Petey Greene made a difference and made a mark, and broadcasting is better because of his transparent honesty. He helped transform African-American stations more, probably, than their mostly white owners desired. And talk talents like Howard Stern, whether they know who he was, owe him something.
  3. Reviewed by: Helen O'Hara
    60
    There's terrific chemistry between the leads, but an episodic structure set over 20 years is too sprawling to really allow for a connection.

See all 33 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 12
  2. Negative: 0 out of 12
  1. DP
    10
    Strong story, three terrific performances: Cheadle, Ejiofor, and Henson.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  2. RhanaH
    10
    Stunning film, terrific performances.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  3. BKetch
    5
    If Cheadle were not in it, you wouldn't be seeing it because it wouldn't have found a distributor. But WITH him, wow.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes

See all 12 User Reviews

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