Reign Over Me (Widescreen Edition)
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Actor: Adam Sandler, Don Cheadle, Jonathan Banks, Melinda Dillon, Robert KleinBrand: SONY PICTURES HOME ENT
Cinematographer: Russ T. Alsobrook
Composer: Rolfe Kent
Editor: Steve Edwards
Editor: Jeremy Roush
DVD: Region Code 99
Audio: English (Unknown), Dolby Digital 5.1; English (Subtitled); Spanish (Subtitled); French (Subtitled); Portuguese (Subtitled); Korean (Subtitled); Thai (Subtitled); English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 5.1; French (Dubbed), Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround
Format: AC-3, Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, Dubbed, DVD, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen
Picture Format: Anamorphic Widescreen, 2.40:1
Running Time: 124 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2007-10-09
Audience Rating: R (Restricted)
Studio: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
DVD Reviews of Reign Over Me (Widescreen Edition)
DVD Review: A Friend in Need
Summary: 4 Stars
"Reign Over Me" is a film that doesn't offer easy answers to life's problems; it's a matter of give and take, of knowing when to get involved and when to back off. A wealth of complex issues is presented in this film, all of which are handled with a surprising and welcome mix of humor and drama. I say this because life itself can be viewed as funny or depressing, often times both. How interesting that the emotional gamut of this film can successfully go from tense and heartbreaking to laugh-out-loud funny in the exact same scene. Example: Adam Sandler's character has an emotional breakdown in Don Cheadle's dental office, one in which framed degrees, magazines, and lamps are thrown and destroyed. When the chaos ends, a beautiful woman arrives for her appointment. Sandler turns to Cheadle and mimics oral sex while raving over her physical appearance.
It's moments like these that add depth to a heartfelt story. This isn't to say that "Reign Over Me" is a perfect film; certain plot devices are incredibly unrealistic and a couple of key characters are underdeveloped. Nonetheless, it was a fascinating exploration of grief, friendship, and family, enough to allow the flaws to be overlooked. I was especially pleased with Adam Sandler's dramatic performance; apart from "Punch Drunk Love," he has never been able to show his range as an actor. In this film, he plays Charlie Fineman, a former dental school student who lost his wife and daughters on September 11, 2001. His inability to cope has forced him to regress, pretty much to the point of detaching from the rest of the world. From the moment we first lay eyes on him, it's quite obvious that his emotional state is broken, practically shattered; he aimlessly rides around New York City on a motorized scooter, his hair unkempt, his face worn, his eyes unfocused.
The plot mainly focuses on a rekindled friendship between Fineman and Alan Johnson (Don Cheadle), a successful dentist. Formerly roommates in college, the two saw less of each other as time went on. All contact was severed by the time the events of 9/11 occurred. When they first reunite, Johnson is surprised to discover that Fineman doesn't remember him. As the film progresses, Johnson begins to understand why; Fineman is choosing to forget every aspect of his old life. He now loses himself in hobbies, from renovating his kitchen to playing video games. He's especially fond of music, with a massive vinyl album collection and an MP3 player that's with him at all times. When his repressed emotions show signs of resurfacing, he'll put a pair of headphones over his ears, push play, and turn the volume all the way up.
Clearly, this is not the Charlie Fineman that Johnson remembers. Yet, in some strange way, the two begin to reconnect as friends. They spend long nights together, reveling in a lifestyle any single man would be proud of: they play video games together; they go to late night movies; they go to clubs. The problem is that Johnson isn't single; he has a wife, Janeane (Jada Pinkett Smith), and two daughters. This is one aspect of the story I wish had been developed a bit more. The marriage is clearly troubled, with both spouses feeling as if they're stuck in a monotonous routine. Unfortunately, not enough of this is shown; Smith's screen time is reduced to only a few scenes, all of which take place in their apartment. Their marital problems seem almost insignificant to the story, which is bad because Johnson's relationship with Fineman is part of the reason they're in trouble. Janeane eventually suspects that her husband is jealous of Fineman for being single. This is in spite of the fact that he's suffered a great loss.
A majority of their problems stem from a lack of communication. This isn't helpful to anyone, especially when work related problems arise. I'm directly referring to a subplot involving Donna Remar (Saffron Burrows), one of Johnson's patients. In many ways, her emotional state is just as fragile as Fineman's; she had recently divorced her husband due to years of his infidelity. As a result, she's desperate for attention, so much so that she's willing to give Johnson oral sex right in his office. Turning her away prompts her to file a sexual harassment lawsuit, an act that puts Johnson's entire dental office in jeopardy. In order to avoid such unwanted legal action, Johnson has no choice but to personally appeal to Donna. This adds an intriguing if odd dimension to the story; both Donna and Fineman are disturbed individuals, and through Johnson, the two will enter each other's lives. I can't say that I bought such a convenient set up, but it still made for an interesting idea.
As the relationship between Johnson and Fineman grows deeper, it becomes apparent that Fineman needs more help than Johnson can provide. For one thing, any mention of Fineman's family sends him over the edge; Johnson learns this the hard way, first at an open mike night, second at his dental office. Furthermore, Fineman's in laws (Robert Kline and Melinda Dillon) are trying to reenter his life, something he's simply not ready for. Desperate to get his friend some help, Johnson introduces Fineman to psychiatrist Angela Oakhurst (Liv Tyler). Every one of their sessions is brief, with every attempt at bringing up Fineman's past thwarted by him putting on his headphones. "There are some things I don't like to think about," he says, avoiding Oakhurst's questions. These scenes would have been effective if it weren't for Liv Tyler's performance. I never once believed her in this role; her soft voice and lax mannerisms don't allow for a psychiatrist to come through.
Everything comes to a head when Fineman attempts suicide by provoking police officers. It backfires; instead of shooting him, he's merely arrested. Within the context of the story, I wasn't sure if this was good thing. On the one hand, entering him into the legal system may provide him with some professional help. On the other hand, he may not need professional help. Maybe the best thing to do is to leave him alone and let him come to terms with his loss in his own way. This is something many of the characters have to consider, especially Fineman's in laws; despite the fact that they've been pushing him, it's obvious that they have the best intentions. Such high drama also leaves an impression on Johnson, who soon realizes that he needs to reconnect with his wife. I appreciated this aspect of the story because it exemplified the complexity of certain issues. It also exemplified how certain people can affect others, even in subtle ways. Thus brings home the point that "Reign Over Me" is a generally well-crafted human story. Yes, it lacks some character development. Yes, many of the plot devices are preposterous. But I have to recommend this movie; it's touching, it's funny, and it tells a genuinely engaging story.
Description of Reign Over Me (Widescreen Edition)
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.Bestsellers in DVD
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