Review of Reign Over Me (2007) by Emilia L — 29 Jan 2010

This film gives you alot to chew on but never quite connects it all together. Adam Sandler gives a heartwrenching performance with a red tearsoaked face during an enlightening scene that makes the movie worthwhile. And I think Don Cheadle is an incredible actor. That said, I don't think he was given very much to work with here.

The film is set in New York City and only makes a small direct reference to 9/11 and how it didn't just destroy those buildings and those lives, it destroyed the lives of countless others by association. Instead of focusing like a laserbeam on the incident itself, it shows us the shell of a man trying to cope years later. Or trying 'not to cope', depending on how you define it. It shows the regressions of a psyche and what solitude can do during the aftermath of tragedy.

Sandler really is quite good in the one scene and good throughout. But the relationship between the two men seemed a little underdeveloped and not just because one character was so disconnected emotionally. The "ah hah" moment or great learning experience for Cheadle's character seemed a little thin.

Pretty good overall. Worth a watch at least once.