TALK TO ME chronicles the career of controversial Washington, D.C., radio personality Petey Greene (
Don Cheadle), an ex-convict who described himself as "a 'N'-word in America telling it like it is, telling the truth." From prison, Petey convinces station manager Dewey Hughes (
Chiwetel Ejiofor) to hire him as a DJ. Petey arrives at the radio station determined to prove himself. Though Dewey's boss (
Martin Sheen) has doubts, Petey draws listeners, uniting the community and becoming a local hero. At the same time, Petey's personal life suffers from his excessive use of alcohol and drug. Though Dewey encourages him to greater and greater visibility, Petey rejects going mainstream because he sees constraints in performing to audiences outside his community. At last he has a profound moment, seeing before him an expectant "room full of white folks" who want to see him make fun of his background. He makes a fateful decision that the film represents as a mixture of disappointment and resistance.