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Reign Over Me By Richard W. Kozak, Jr.  |
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For fans of Adam Sandler and his movies, the best part of Sandler’s cinematic efforts is one knows exactly what to expect. Sandler’s movies follow a similar manic road map to a soflty-preaching climactic and poignant finish.
Detractors of Sandler’s movie resume might say exactly the same thing, but fans or foes of Sandler alike seem to agree on one thing. It takes some getting used to Adam Sandler when he stretches his cinematic wings and doesn’t completely follow the Sandler play book to a tee.
It is with the effort of Sandler and Don Cheadle in the wonderfully acted but plot contrived “Reign Over Me” that Sandler may win over a few of his detractors. Sandler plays the near catatonic Charlie Fineman when we come to meet him through the eyes of Alan Johnson played by the brilliant Don Cheadle.
Fineman is slipping into the abyss of continued depression in a near catatonic state when his old college roommate Johnson bumps into him on the streets of New York. Almost unrecognizable to him, Johnson wants to rekindle their old college friendship but there’s a difference.
Fineman’s emotional downward spiral was induced on 9/11 when he instantly lost his wife and three daughters. What develops between the two gentlemen can be tritely called the new “buddy” movie of the 21st Century.
While Johnson delves into helping Charlie sort out his personal demons and return to “reality”, he unwittingly finds the chinks in his own emotional armor both personally and professionally.
Jada Pinkett Smith plays Alan’s wife who is alternately supportive and put off by the two men and their growing friendship.
The movie’s score echo the emotional feeling of the film with its bleak and haunting undertones. The movie is beautifully filmed in the dark of the early day or evening perhaps as a precursor of the new day to come.
“Reign Over Me” won me over and earns a great four out of five guitar rating.
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