In "Reign Over Me," Charlie Fineman (Adam Sandler) has become anything but a fine man.
Since Charlie’s wife and three young daughters died in a plane crash during the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, he regressed to a childlike state of denial in which he plays with his video games, musical instruments, and watches old Mel Brooks movies. In his apartment, the bare walls hold no reminders of his beloved family and former life, yet the cluttered rooms and hallways are lined with boxes of record albums and advertising paraphernalia that he collects. Like a man possessed, he remodels his kitchen over and over again. Living off a large settlement, he gave up his dental practice to wander alone through a dazed, lonely Charlie-world where no one else can enter.
Friends Reunited
One day while driving his scooter through New York City, Charlie runs into his former college roommate, Alan Johnson (Don Cheadle), a man struggling with his demanding family and unfulfilling dental practice. At first Charlie’s post-traumatic stress disorder blocks memories of his roommate, too, but eventually he allows the memory to reemerge.
While juggling a sexually obsessed patient threatening a lawsuit, dealing with his aggressive wife (Jada Pinkett Smith), caring for his sick and elderly parents, and “putting phony teeth on phony people,” Alan discovers that his old friend also needs him. Having lost touch with each other over the years, the two men reunite to discuss college days and spend time together. Alan never knew Charlie’s wife and children, so he’s a safe companion for the grieving widower.
Although Alan cannot openly communicate his own dissatisfaction with life, he encourages Charlie to talk to a therapist (Liv Tyler). Naturally this suggestion is met with great hostility and eventual compliance. It’s through these sessions, that Charlie experiences a breakdown and a breakthrough. Writer-director Mike Binder takes on the role of irritating accountant Bryan Sugarman, a patronizing former friend who seems to appear at the worst possible times and says something inappropriate. Other small bursts of humor – mostly concerning their college days – make welcome appearances occasionally to lighten the somber mood.
Characters Brought to Life
Terror warnings, lawsuit threats, angry cab drivers, over-bearing in-laws, and the legal system loom over the two central characters, each of whom is trapped in unhappy situations with no easy escape. Alan’s original good intentions to help his friend come to terms with his loss unknowingly include secondary gain for the bored dentist. He retreats temporarily to seemingly carefree Charlie-world for trips to Chinese restaurants and late night movie marathons when he is supposed to be home with his wife working jigsaw puzzles or taking classes together.
Sandler and Cheadle bring these rich characters to life, and frankly all the other family members, dentists, doctors, lawyers, accountants, therapists, patients, and other assorted minor characters hold little interest compared to these two intricately developed men dealing with their respective pain, loneliness, and inability to communicate. Other production values are consistent with what you’d expect from a blockbuster drama; but you likely won’t remember anything about Reign Over Me except Sandler’s and Cheadle’s performances.
DVD features include subtitle and audio track options, a “Making Of” featurette, extended jam session with Adam Sandler and Don Cheadle, and a photomontage.
- Reign Over Me
- Director: Mike Binder
- Run time: 120 minutes
- Rating: R (language and sexual references)
For more information about film dramas, read Half Nelson on DVD and Movie Review of The Visitor.
