World Famous Comics: Reign Over Me (Widescreen Edition)
Reign Over Me (Widescreen Edition)
Starring: Adam Sandler, Jonathan Banks, Don Cheadle, Melinda Dillon, Robert Klein Average Rating: Aspect Ratio: 2.40:1 Audience Rating: R (Restricted) Binding: DVD Format: AC-3, Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, Dubbed, DVD-Video, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC Label: Sony Pictures Number of Items: 1 Region Code: 99 Release Date: October 09, 2007 Running Time: 124 minutes Theatrical Release Date: March 23, 2007
Amazon.com: One of the first films to examine the aftermath of post- 9/11 New York City, Reign Over Me shows how much even indirect contact with those who lost loved ones in the tragedy can greatly affect. Like rings of debris spiraling out from an explosion, Charlie Fineman's (Adam Sandler) loss also devastates his in-laws, who he refuses to speak to, and ex-college roommate, Alan Johnson. Reign Over Me stars Johnson, a successful dentist with a gorgeous wife, Janeane (Jada Pinkett Smith) and two kids, who finds Charlie reverted back into a teenage wasteland, unable to face his unbearable sadness. Sandler as Charlie looks like Bob Dylan and acts like Dustin Hoffman in his great dramatic performance. Listening to The Who and The Boss through headphones, playing video games, and continually remodeling his kitchen, Fineman's escapism disturbs Johnson, who, in turn, feels squelched by his stiflingly normal lifestyle. As the two reacquaint, Johnson is the only person who can help save Fineman from self-obliteration. The story analyzes Post Traumatic Stress with some accuracy, though excess sentimentality undermines emotional scenes. Survivor's guilt, assessing mental illness, and absolute incapacitation due to grief are all topics covered within the bounds of the enduring friendship forged between these two men. Ultimately, Reign Over Me's message is one of compassion, as a reminder to treat victims of loss with patience and care. But interestingly, it also pays heed to smaller human tribulations, which are obstacles to healing when left untreated. --Trinie Dalton
Stills from Reign Over Me
Product Description: Adam Sandler Don Cheadle Jada Pinkett Smith and Liv Tyler star in this heart-rending story about Charlie Fineman (Sandler) who has slipped away from reality after the sudden loss of his wife and children. But Charlie s life takes a turn for the better when he runs into his old college roommate Alan Johnson (Cheadle) whose life is torn between the demands of career and family. Their renewed friendship rekindles their long-forgotten bond and both men emerge enriched and enlightened. Bill Zwecker of CBS-TV hails REIGN OVER ME as A truly brilliant film. System Requirements:Run Time: 124 Mins.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: DRAMA Rating: R UPC: 043396173873 Manufacturer No: 17387
art imitates life This is a very good movie. It's real, not over the top, and not forced on us, it is what it is. Real people, in real situations, no huge plot twists, and no fairy tale ending. This is art that resembles life, and it does a pretty good job of it. Don Cheadle's character is a dentist (not psychiatrist like it says in the description). He runs into an old friend (sandler) on the street. They were roommates in dental school, but Charlie doesn't remember him. After losing his family in the 9/11 attacks he has dealt with an extreme case of post-traumatic stress syndrome. What follows is Johnson's attempt to "help" Charlie, and in the process helping himself. I almost didn't watch this movie, b/c I didn't think that I would like it. I'm glad I did.
Reign Over Me Adam Sandler is fantastic in this movie. It shows he can play serious parts besides his comedy side.
A Portrait of Quirky Despair "I just feel that it would be good if you opened up to someone."
Another rare film which tells its tale in every detail. One man (Cheadle), lonely and withdrawn in spite of his familial and professional success, spots an old friend (Sandler), and realizes that, comparatively, he has it pretty good. Sandler's character is a mentally shattered 911 widower, lost in his own sad world; Cheadle is the only one who can reach him. The two men, as they reforge an old bond, step closer to closure and wholeness.
It's no fairy tale. The movie has laughs, and sweet moments, but it also has jarring scenes of mental illness, violence and despair. It is a bittersweet and moving piece, not a cute one. I applaud Sandler's new depth; almost every actor in the film subtly reinforces the message of the importance of communication and connection, in a tragic world.
Good message but mediocre execution 2.5 stars. This movie started with a good premise but due to a couple of bad casting and a rambling script this movie falls short. Don Cheadle's performance feels watered down mainly because Adam Sandler and Liv Tyler gives him very little to work with. I can't help but feel Adam TRYING to act. It's a reoccuring problem that shows up in his dramatic efforts of the past. Only time he shines is during the few comedic moments-and even then Adam Sandler is Adam Sandler. He's not like a Robin Williams who flip the script effortlessly between comedy and serious dramatic roles. Liv Tyler truely is a blank slate-her acting range is near zero since she seems to be playing herself no matter what the role as well. My main problem with the film is that it FEELS long. Cheadle's storyline tends to get dropped for large portions of the film and I wonder why Jada Pinkett can't land a part that will give her more than 20 minutes of screen time. Over all it's not a very memorable film.
Don Cheadle at last has made a "paycheck film." Every actor goes slumming once in a while. Nicholas Cage does it quite often, and always with the highest sense of, "I'm doing this because I want to" shooting from his psychotic eyes. I didn't, however, ever believe that Don Cheadle, my favorite strut-walking acting dynamo, could ever go slumming at a time when he is arguably at his zenith in terms of recognition. Well, he went slumming in Reign Over Me, a quasi-sophisticated film about the burden of friendship and the importance of healing.
If you watch this film closely and remove yourself from the garage sale-type plotline, you will see a Sandler laughably trying too hard, and a Cheadle not trying hard enough. This combination is horrifically combustible and acts like a pin being thrust into your left kneecap while your torturers merrily play John Tesh music in the background.
Sandler, as always, resorts to screaming and looking red-eyed as opposed to actually playing a believable character not named Billy Madison. Cheadle, on the flipside, seems mentally engaged in some other realm, wandering an ethereal plain of lower consciousness where the paychecks play water polo in Paycheck Land.
PLOT:
Two friends meet after years of separation following the 911 tragedy that took the lives of one of their families. They banter on about music, they play video games, they get drunk, they strategize about women, they heal, they weep, Sandler overacts, Cheadle under acts, and in the end, you'll likely be left wanting to bury your copy of this DVD in the remote Arizona wasteland.
Sound like fun?
Carry on, dear children, and let the attacks on my review begin. Pressing "NO" on the helpful reviewer segment below this will not change the fact that Reign Over Me is a pile of dog vomit disguised as a deeply poignant film of friendship and loyalty.
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