What some might preconceive as a cash in on a terrible tragedy, Reign Over Me is not even a film about 9/11. Yes, it features 9/11 in the same way that death will always feature pain. But this is not about the death; it’s about the aftermath, the autopsy if you will.
Adam Sandler is Charlie Fineman, a man so withdrawn since losing his family during the events of September 11th that he barely speaks to anyone, choosing instead to hide under the drone of his iPod and hobo like appearance. Once a successful professional, Fineman is now a man without a future, unable to reconcile his loss.
When one day Fineman meets his old college roommate, dentist Alan Johnson (Don Cheadle), the two rekindle their friendship. They both have issues; Fineman with his grief, Johnson in realising something is missing from his seemingly perfect life. Johnson takes Fineman’s own rehabilitation under his wing and things appears to be getting back on track for both men.
Right up until when Johnson forces Fineman to finally confront the grief he’s been hiding for so long. As his pain is exhumed in pent up rage, the outcome is predictably destructive and, for Fineman at least, potentially irrevocable.
They say:
BBC Movies: "The central performances are subtle and intelligent - Sandler especially is a knockout."
Empire: "Works well in separating the mythical status of a day that shook the world from the lasting cost incurred."
Time Out: "Thankfully never gets bogged down in emotive eulogising or political finger pointing."
We say:
Reign Over Me is funnier than it should be. Just at the mere mention of 9/11 you feel guilty for even raising a smile.
Director Mike Binder (The Upside of Anger) appreciates such hesitancy, so paces every laugh as a gentle chuckle. The tone is perfect, largely down to an impeccably judged turn by one time loud mouth Adam Sandler. His desolate Charlie Fineman is bravely understated.
“So, do I know you?”, he asks Cheadle’s Johnson on their first meeting since college. It’s as though Fineman’s living a whole other life in his head, anything but face the painful reality.
If Sandler occasionally veers into fidgety Dustin Hoffman in Rain Man territory, we can forgive him. It would take a real grump not to see his efforts as anything but courageous.
Binder, as writer/ director and actor (he plays Fineman’s business manager in the film), ensures that Reign Over Me’s overall tone is never less than adult. There is a hint of Woody Allen's Manhattan in his clip frame quality shots of New York City, itself in no less a state of recovery than Fineman.
Brief kudos must go Don Cheadle. His fine, dignified performance is riveting to watch. He gets plenty of screen time too; Binder clearly understands how to use talent.
It can seem like the women in Reign Over Me have little to do - Liv Tyler’s occasional therapist, Jada Pinkett Smith as Johnson’s petulant wife, Saffron Burrows; bewitching as an unstable dental patient - but the movie is not about them, and it’s to these actresses’ credit that they don’t attempt to grandstand beyond a supporting role.
There's a clear intention here to portray what it means to lose everything and still get out of bed in the morning. That this echoes what so many suffered following the attacks of 9/11 is a twist of fate. Binder understands that loss is the same for everyone, in any situation; it’s all about time.
Adam Sandler impresses constantly and the story is first rate. Reign Over Me is not morose or depressing, there’s a whole lot of joy in this film.
Extras:
A making of featurette that only serves to remind us how welcome a commentary would have been. The photo montage works better, with some interesting production shots and music.
The extended jam session with Adam Sandler and Don Cheadle is the very definition of superfluous, but does raise a smile.
CAST
Adam Sandler
Don Cheadle
Jada Pinkett Smith
Liv Tyler
Saffron Burrows
Donald Sutherland
DIRECTOR
Mike Binder
TIME
119 mins
POSTED...
Fri 17 Aug 2007 at 1:06pm
