Reign Over Me: A newfound appreciation for Adam Sandler
By: Joanna Arcieri
Issue date: 4/12/07 Section: Entertainment
For the record, I hate movies about September 11 and I hate Adam Sandler movies. I have had pretty bad experiences with both.
That being said, I didn't hate Reign Over Me, the story of two old friends who rekindle their friendship five years after one loses his entire family on 9/11. I didn't love it either.
Reign Over Me is the latest feature from writer-director Mike Binder. Like Binder's past films, such as 2005's The Upside of Anger, Reign Over Me is a drama centered on family, friendship, and those awkward moments that make life special.
Don Cheadle plays Alan Johnson, a successful New York City dentist whose seemingly perfect life has become too mundane. By chance, he runs into his old college roommate Charlie Fineman (Adam Sandler), who is anything but fine.
Charlie, five years removed from the tragic deaths of his wife, three daughters and the family dog, rides around New York City on his motorized scooter. He has shut out everyone he has ever cared for and his headphones act as a protective helmet, shielding him from his grief. When Alan reaches out to Charlie, their friendship provides a new sense of hope for both men.
Reign Over Me falls into a predictable pattern, where plot becomes implausible and irritating. What begins as a wonderful idea quickly runs out of steam. Thankfully, the acting, especially the performances by Cheadle and Sandler, save Reign Over Me from being a complete mess.
Cheadle does what he does best. His acting style is simple and understated, providing the film with a much needed base. This enables Sandler to break away from the stereotypes, namely that of potty humor and immaturity, that have clouded his successful box office career.
Unfortunately, because Adam Sandler's target audience is not Reign Over Me's target audience and the audience that would see this movie would never be publicly seen at any Adam Sandler movie, Sandler's memorable and remarkable feat is going to be forgotten as the year progresses.
Male friendships on screen are often trivialized, but the story of Alan and Charlie creates a genuine and touching movie. Reign Over Me proves that simplicity is often the best way to visualize and recreates life's tragedies.
That being said, I didn't hate Reign Over Me, the story of two old friends who rekindle their friendship five years after one loses his entire family on 9/11. I didn't love it either.
Reign Over Me is the latest feature from writer-director Mike Binder. Like Binder's past films, such as 2005's The Upside of Anger, Reign Over Me is a drama centered on family, friendship, and those awkward moments that make life special.
Don Cheadle plays Alan Johnson, a successful New York City dentist whose seemingly perfect life has become too mundane. By chance, he runs into his old college roommate Charlie Fineman (Adam Sandler), who is anything but fine.
Charlie, five years removed from the tragic deaths of his wife, three daughters and the family dog, rides around New York City on his motorized scooter. He has shut out everyone he has ever cared for and his headphones act as a protective helmet, shielding him from his grief. When Alan reaches out to Charlie, their friendship provides a new sense of hope for both men.
Reign Over Me falls into a predictable pattern, where plot becomes implausible and irritating. What begins as a wonderful idea quickly runs out of steam. Thankfully, the acting, especially the performances by Cheadle and Sandler, save Reign Over Me from being a complete mess.
Cheadle does what he does best. His acting style is simple and understated, providing the film with a much needed base. This enables Sandler to break away from the stereotypes, namely that of potty humor and immaturity, that have clouded his successful box office career.
Unfortunately, because Adam Sandler's target audience is not Reign Over Me's target audience and the audience that would see this movie would never be publicly seen at any Adam Sandler movie, Sandler's memorable and remarkable feat is going to be forgotten as the year progresses.
Male friendships on screen are often trivialized, but the story of Alan and Charlie creates a genuine and touching movie. Reign Over Me proves that simplicity is often the best way to visualize and recreates life's tragedies.