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Cast & credits

Charlie Fineman: Adam Sandler
Alan Johnson: Don Cheadle
Janeane Johnson: Jada Pinkette Smith
Angela Oakhurst: Liv Tyler
Donna Remar: Saffron Burrows
Judge Raines: Donald Sutherland

Greentrees Films presents a film written and directed by Mike Binder.
Running time: 124 minutes.

“Adam Sandler resurrects the actor in himself for the first time since Punch Drunk Love.”

Mike Binder, who has previously made The Upside of Anger, writes and directs the heartbreaking story of an indirect victim of a recent terrorist attack. Rumoured to be one the most accurate depictions of post-traumatic stress in recent times, Reign over me isn’t a simple story that just sinks in. It has several layers that you can dwell upon and the more you think about it, the more complicated it can become.

On one hand, we have Alan Johnson (Don Cheadle), a simple man, living a simple married life. He’s a dentist and works at a private clinic with several senior doctors. His wife Janeane (Jada Pinkette Smith) is a charming woman, who knows him more than he thinks she does. He has a lovely daughter and they live in a comfortable home in New York. He has everything anyone would want, but he’s unhappy.

On the other hand, we have Charlie Fineman (Adam Sandler), who lives alone in a large apartment in the same city. He studied dentistry with Alan (they were college roommates) but quit his job after his wife and three children passed away in the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Charlie Fineman is disturbed, to say the least, and spends most of his time either playing videogames, drumming for an underground band, remodeling his kitchen, or dedicatedly collecting Vinyl records and listening to post-60’s music. Charlie has lost everything he had, but he’s happy.

One day, one his way home from work, Alan happens to see Charlie driving by on his motororised scooter-segway hybrid. Alan calls out to him and Charlie stops, but for some reason has no recollection of ever meeting Alan before. But over the course of that meeting, both Alan and Charlie come to the conclusion that they need each other.

Alan needs Charlie to be the friend who he can hang out with and have fun, since he can’t have that fun with his family. He’s beginning to get bored with his work and home routines and the numerous hobbies that his wife likes to involve him in. He’s always wanted a hang-out buddy and Charlie was the perfect compensation, since he’s a completely off-beat character. On the other hand, Charlie needs Alan because he’s someone who doesn’t force him to deal with the problems that are in the back of his mind. He’s in an almost delusional state of denial and the last thing he wants is for someone to bring it all back. And if someone does try, then the situation ends very awkwardly, most likely with an outburst and a sudden rush of rage.

As they meet more often and start getting comfortable with each other, the real exchange of ideologies begins and it’s not uncommon for the best parts of any character-driven plot to appear in this section of the film.

The casting in this film, as you may have already noticed, is marvelous. Don Cheadle is intense, as usual and his performance is subtle and earnest. There’s a hilarious scene when he’s confronted by a patient and seduced to the brink of infidelity. His reaction to it, his mixed emotions of despair and faithfulness together form a really wonderful moment, something that will stay in your mind for a long time.

Jada Pinkette Smith has never been this impressive. She’s the perfect wife for Cheadle’s character. Concerned, loving and strict, all at the same time. There’s a scene when she’s on the phone with Cheadle, a scene that really shows how capable she is as an actress.

Liv Tyler plays Angela Oakhurst, a psychiatrist who Cheadle’s character consults with his problems, disguising them as a friend’s. Later in the film, she assumes the role of showing Charlie Fineman the way to happiness. She may seem miscast in this film in the beginning, but as the story moves on, she blends in perfectly.

Saffron Burrows plays a heartbroken divorcee who needs some reassurance. But what makes her character interesting is the method and the madness.

As for Adam Sandler, the lesser I describe his portrayal of Charlie Fineman, the better it would be, as that will allow you to absorb it better.

Mike Bender’s direction is very soothing and it approaches New York from the sidewalks and streets, from the eyes of pedestrians and vehicle passengers, rather than the largesque view that most filmmakers provide of the city.

Incredible performances, a great soundtrack and some stimulating scenery ensure Reign over me is not a larger than life film. It’s just as large as life is.