Review of Reign Over Me (2007) by Daniel P — 09 Aug 2010

Though known mostly for his supporting roles in Ocean?s Eleven and its sequels, Cheadle has turned in some critically lauded performances in Hotel Rwanda and Crash. His sterling turn as a suffocated husband/father with communication issues in Reign Over Me should fare no different. So magnetic is Cheadle?s Alan Johnson (and Cheadle himself) that writer/director Mike Binder makes him the fulcrum of a story that is actually about Sandler?s Charlie Fineman, a man so heartbroken that his withdrawn behavior borders on insanity. It proves to be a smart move?so smart, in fact, that when the story pulls focus from Johnson, the film meanders and begins to feel overlong and disjointed. The all-around remarkable performances, however, salvage this well-intentioned drama from becoming a Hallmark card.

In the PG-13-rated Reign Over Me, Cheadle plays an overwhelmed family man who helps his old college roommate (Sandler), a recluse widower, come to terms with losing his own family in 9/11.

Through good films (Punch-Drunk Love) and bad (Spanglish), erstwhile comedian Sandler?s dramatic turns have proven nothing less than impressive. With this 3-hanky weeper, Sandler makes this assessment seem like the understatement of the year. He will bring many to tears, thanks in no small part to his wholly believable chemistry with Cheadle. Though the overall film slowly becomes a bit cloying and predictable, Sandler and Cheadle make Binder?s whole journey worthwhile. Even the supporting cast with limited screen time, Jada Pinkett-Smith and Liv Tyler among them, pitches in and rounds out the rough edges.

Bottom line: The performances should rein audiences in.