Writer: Mike Binder (Screenplay)
Starring: Adam Sandler, Don Cheadle, Jada Pinkett-Smith, Liv Tyler, Saffron Burrows, Donald Sutherland, Robert Klein, Melinda Dillon
Plot: A man who lost his family in the September 11 attack on New York City runs into his old college roommate. Rekindling the friendship is the one thing that appears able to help the man recover from his grief.
Verdict: Brilliant Drama
Story: Reign Over Me has a contently married man who works all day as a dentist then has to spend all his time with his wife and children. He longs for something more in his life and a chance encounter with an old college roommate could change things for him. His old roommate has completely closed off his world after his family was killed during 9/11. These two rekindle their friendship but getting into the details of what is going on with the old friend puts everything to the test.
This shows us how hard one man has had his life after one moment took everything from him, how he closed off everyone because his memories were too hard to live with. Going next to this we also see how one man who seems to be taking his life for granted learns to appreciate his own family and life situation more. This is a touching drama that shows you how people can struggle to cope with grief and it they do, they want to be left to do it their own way. This really has a story that is well told and pulls you in even if certain names on the film will make you think twice. (9/10)
Actor Review
Adam Sandler: Charlie widower who has closed himself off from the world, but after meeting Alan he starts to rekindle a friendship which started and finished before the events that left him where he was. He clearly needs help but is not willingly to ask any for it because he is dealing with his grief in his own way. Great performance from Sandler who shows he can actually act and give a performance people should take note off, as anybody else in this performance just wouldn’t have worked. (9/10)
Don Cheadle: Alan dentist who seems to be just going through his life with nothing eventful happening, he almost looks lost with where he is now. He rekindles his friendship with Charlie but starts to put his own family life in second place to help Charlie. Good performance from Cheadle showing he can always be relied on to be a strong supporting character. (8/10)
Jada Pinkett-Smith: Janeane wife of Alan who comes off over loving and protective of her husband, but she does support him through all the decisions he makes. Good supporting performance. (7/10)
Liv Tyler: Angela therapist who helps Alan with Charlie as he tries to overcome his personal problems. Good supporting performance. (7/10)
Saffron Burrows: Donna a lady with a few personal problems of her own, who tries to put Alan in a hard place but ends up catching the eye of Charlie and could be the answer to both their problems. Good supporting performance showing how another person deals with problems. (8/10)
Supporting Cast: All the rest of the supporting cast include family and friends of Charlie’s who want to help him but haven’t ever got through to him and people in Alan’s life. Al the supporting characters work well for the story. (7/10)
Director Review: Mike Binder – Great direction to tell a powerful story that will pull at the heart strings. (9/10)
Drama: With the names on the credits many people will think ‘no this won’t work’, but the story and performances are all brilliant. (10/10)
Settings: New York is a great setting for the story and has the tragic moment and dealing with the moment in the same city. (9/10)
Suggestion: I think Reign Over Me is a must watch for all, it is such a brilliant story that needs to be told and with the performances involved everything works out great. (Watch)
Best Part: Sandler’s performance
Worst Part: Some people might feel it takes advantage of a real tragedy.
Believability: People’s lives were changed forever by 9/11 this could very well have happened to people who lost loved ones. (9/10)
Chances of Tears: You may get some towards the end. (6/10)
Chances of Sequel: No
Post Credits Scene: No
Oscar Chances: No, but I feel Sandler proved he has got serious in his locker again here.
Box Office: $22 Million
Budget: $20 Million
Runtime: 2 Hours 4 Minutes
Tagline: Let in the unexpected
Trivia: Tom Cruise turned down the lead role
Overall: Brilliant Drama Where Sandler Shines
Rating