Reign Over Me

M (Moderate coarse language, Moderate themes, Sexual references)


Reign Over Me is a 9/11 movie of sorts but unlike, say, World Trade Centre or United 93, it is an “aftermath” story that focuses on a more intimate drama than even the Oliver Stone film. The movie is from Mike Binder, writer/director of the excellent The Upside of Anger, and it gives Adam Sandler yet another opportunity to demonstrate his increasingly impressive dramatic skills, which, as evidenced here, surely puts him in a league with the heavyweights. But Sandler’s is not the only standout role here; those of co-star, the excellent Don Cheadle, and a first-rate supporting cast, complement it magnificently.

Charley Fineman (Sandler) is in shutdown. His wife and three daughters, and even the family dog, were victims of 9/11, and since then Charlie has alienated himself from anyone or anything that might remind him of them – including his in-laws, Jonathan and Ginger (Robert Klein and Melinda Dillon), who are unsuccessfully attempting to make contact with him. He has become an eccentric, solitary figure who glides through the streets of Manhattan on his scooter or endlessly plays the same video game in his large apartment where his kitchen is in a constant state of renovation for reasons known only to him. A protective landlady, Adell (Rae Allen), fends off any potential trespassers into Charlie’s life.

When Alan Johnson (Cheadle), a successful dentist and Charlie’s one-time college roommate spots him in the street, the two renew their friendship. Because Alan did not know his family, Charlie lets him into his world, hijacking his life to such a degree (like taking him to an all-night Mel Brooks Movie Marathon) that causes tension between Alan and his wife, Janeane (Jada Pinkett Smith). Although very much in love with his wife, Alan finds a certain freedom in Charlie’s friendship, which gives him a chance to disentangle himself from Janeane’s organisation of his lifestyle. But being Charlie’s friend is not easy; his grief and his suspicion that everyone is spying on him to force him to face the memories he is trying to suppress often lead to violent outbursts.

Alan knows that his friend needs professional aid and a breakthrough comes when Charlie agrees to visit Angela (Liv Tyler), a psychiatrist in Alan’s building. Help also comes from a most unexpected source in one of Alan’s ex-patients, Donna (Saffron Burrows), whose earlier offer of a very different kind of oral procedure to the nervous dentist and the almost disastrous outcome when he knocks her back, demonstrate that she may be a little unhinged herself.

This is certainly Sandler’s most gut-wrenching performance and the film contains some emotionally charged moments - not unexpected considering the subject matter. In most cases, it’s Sandler who must hold them together, which he does, movingly and heartbreakingly. But there’s humour, too, in Binder’s script – scenes involving Alan’s no-nonsense receptionist, Melanie, played by a sassy Paula Newsome, are just one example of the film’s lighter side. There’s a delicate balance happening here, but it works…beautifully.



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Reign Over Me

Genre		Drama
Rating		Moderate coarse language, Moderate themes, Sexual references
Release Date		Thursday, 22 March 2007
Length		2hrs 4min
Main Cast		Adam Sandler, Don Cheadle, Jada Pinkett Smith, Liv Tyler, Saffron Burrows, Cicely Tyson, Robert Klein, Melinda Dillon, Mike Binder, Ted Raimi, B J Novak, Donald Sutherland
Movie Director		Mike Binder
Distributor		Sony Pictures
View The Trailer		Watch Trailer Now
Official Website		Visit the website
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