By now, I have actually managed to watch most of the movies starring Adam Sandler and I came to the conclusion that he must be one of the most underwhelming actors at work nowadays. The saddest thing with this actor is that, from time to time, he actually does try something else than his usual moronic comedies but those movies always turn out to be some massive flop and this movie was not an exception. To be honest, I wasn't really sold by ‘Punch Drunk Love’ (I should definitely re-watch it at some point though) but this one was actually pretty good. Indeed, I must admit that Sandler was actually very good and so was Don Cheadle but that's not a surprise. I was also surprised by Liv Tyler who was quite convincing as a psychiatric. Still, it wasn't really a great movie because some parts of the story just didn't work really well. For example, the character played by Saffron Burrows was rather annoying, she didn't add much to the story and I thought it was rather unconvincing that a shrink will hook up 2 patients, still in therapy, to get romantically involved like this. Anyway, in spite of its flaws, I thought it was a good movie with an interesting reflection on death and loss and I think it is definitely worth a look.
Reign Over Me Reviews
Go on Sandman !
Posted : 15 years, 3 months ago on 28 January 2009 12:39The story is great, too. The friendship of Charlie and Alan was touchable. And Liv Tyler maked the movie prettier, gorgeous woman.
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A compelling, transfixing human drama
Posted : 15 years, 9 months ago on 18 July 2008 06:02
Reign Over Me is an uplifting, emotionally-straining drama regarding friendships and heartbreaks set on the foundation of a person's life that was distressed by 9/11. It's intense but humorous, and heart-wrenching but touching. Reign Over Me also signifies an endeavour by Adam Sandler to undertake a serious role that espouses an unequivocally distinct style of humour. The former star of Happy Gilmore and other mediocre comedies attempts something dissimilar to anything he's done before. Instead of nonsensically overzealous and unnecessarily foul-mouthed, Sandler is poignant, challenging and moving.
If you're not in awe at the performances, you'll certainly find yourself profoundly amazed at the dazzling photography. This drama submerges straight into the intricate city setting: the grimy streets, the congested traffic, the regular appearance of apartment buildings...and yet the realistic view of the city is absolutely beautiful. The filmmakers opted to lense the film using digital HD in lieu of employing actual film. This look alone furnishes the film with an abundantly realistic edge. This incredible filmmaking, coupled with the equally moving music, will leave you completely transfixed. Regardless of a number of distracting script flaws, Reign Over Me is stimulating, thought-provoking and challenging - it's an extraordinarily rare event to behold this standard in a contemporary production.
Charlie Fineman (Sandler) is devastatingly afflicted with post-traumatic stress syndrome. His wife and daughters (even his poor poodle) were killed during the September 11 attacks on New York...they were passengers on one of the doomed planes. Now Charlie is distressed and living a desolate existence: he's neurotic and withdrawn...he no longer works, instead he lives off insurance money. Alan Johnson (Cheadle) is a lucrative dentist on the outs with his current dental colleagues. Alan remembers Charlie from college when they were roommates. A chance meeting between Alan and Charlie sparks an intimate friendship. In such a significant part of Charlie's life, camaraderie this special is critical to him. Alan takes a fascination in his erstwhile college friend, primarily by feeling of obligation. It's obvious that Charlie needs professional help to battle his condition that's spiralling hopelessly out of control. Alan becomes extremely determined to relieve Charlie from his grief, and help him escape from his emotional abyss.
The performances present in Reign Over Me are superbly compelling. Don Cheadle looks slightly out of place as the film's protagonist, but he gives the flawed material 100%. Adam Sandler is a scene stealer. The character of Charlie Fineman is challenging and very intricate. When the character breaks down to tears, Sandler is absolutely impeccable. If you lost family in the 9/11 attacks, you will be especially moved. Some people passed up the opportunity to catch the film during its theatrical run due to Sandler's status as a mainly comedic actor. It may seem difficult to accept the actor in a serious performance. Despite this predisposition, Sandler lets us quickly forget about being a typecast funny man. Liv Tyler looks perplexed among an otherwise stellar cast. She simply doesn't suit the role of a psychiatrist. Despite this piece of gross miscasting, top honours to the rest of the cast including Saffron Burrows, Donald Sutherland and even the writer/director Mike Binder appears as the character of Sugarman.
The director has skilfully crafted the film, employing spellbinding visuals and an equally amazing slate of dialogue. However, writer/director Binder's script feels far too cramped. He tries to incorporate too much into his screenplay. As a result, the film plods drastically during its mid section in particular. It's a moving tribute to those whose lives were affected on that fateful day in 2001, but despite solid filmmaking the film will occasionally bore you to sobs. Miscasting (looking at Liv Tyler in this instance) and occasional humdrum pacing prove lethal to this film, and it falls marginally short of its lofty intent. Also, the film loses the plot into its second half. Without a crackling story to maintain one's interest, it's impossible to feel entirely engaged in the proceedings as there's no underlying driving force. It's a succession of grand filmmaking featuring great photography and sublime acting with no glue to hold everything together. In the long run, you'll be baffled at the over-length. Although there is a clear message and a noble portrait on offer, it takes too long to paint a simple picture. Binder relies on its subject matter to see things through. But that's the fatal element - it's driven by concept instead of plot. With too many unnecessary sub-plots including a patient who wants to "go down" on Cheadle's Alan Johnson, there is lots of potential that is sorely wasted.
Overall, Reign Over Me isn't the clichéd drama that it promised to be. Underneath an ostensibly overdrawn succession of absorbing dialogue, there's a marvellous message to be uncovered. It encompasses foreign territory in relation to 9/11 - the consequences and repercussions of people whose lives were hopelessly altered by the tragedy. Reign Over Me is a truly enthralling character study that scrutinises the lives of two friends coming to terms with the world surrounding them. At times the film is simply faultless, but a tighter middle section and a better platform could have provided this film with tremendous benefit. It's far better than Sandler's brainless comedic roles; however it's clearly distant from Oscar material in spite of a potential to reach that quality.
7.1/10
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Nothing New, but Takes A New Path Getting There
Posted : 15 years, 10 months ago on 14 June 2008 12:060 comments, Reply to this entry
Great buddy flick
Posted : 16 years, 3 months ago on 20 January 2008 03:350 comments, Reply to this entry
a Sandler surprise!
Posted : 16 years, 6 months ago on 21 October 2007 08:09This is definitely Sandler at its best. I've never cared for his comedies, but I enjoyed his performance as Charlie. Quite convincing. Yes, Don Cheadle is always great, Jada Pinkett-Smith as Alan's wife is also excellent, but Liv Tyler has always disappointed me. She just looks bored in this movie, bored and bland.
Good script, nice tearjerking story.
Worth watching. Recommended.
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touching
Posted : 16 years, 7 months ago on 26 September 2007 10:27But now, after this one, I have to correct myself: It's a good movie and Adam actually plays convincingly.
Still not enough to get in the all times faves or must see section, but solid work.
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See it now
Posted : 16 years, 7 months ago on 20 September 2007 08:54Reign Over Me is the story of Charlie Fineman, a man who lost his family in the September 11 attack, who runs into his old college roommate, Alan Johnson. When Alan finds Charlie still suffering from the grief of his family; isolated from everyone else, Alan is determined to help Charlie restore his life and emotionally become better. It’s a sad story, though it may not sound like it. I certainly came close to tears.. But things like that just make this movie even better and more worthwhile watching.
Before this movie I only thought of Adam Sandler as a comedian, i had no idea that he could nail these types of movies, the story being so serious. But he truly couldn't have done any better; he made the movie a lot more interesting to watch and a lot more appealing for me to pick out. Another perfect cast choice - Don Cheadle - I haven’t really seen him in many other movies, but certainly by this i can conclude that he is an amazing actor. He played the part of Alan Johnson perfectly. I can't stress it any more.. I could tell him and Adam Sandler were great together in this movie. Liv Tyler, another fantastic performance. It sure was a while since I have seen her in a movie, but who would have thought this young actor from Lord of the Rings could have done such an amazing job.
I would definitely like to see it again sometime, but I have a feeling its one of those movies that is the most amazing the first time you see it ;D Hopefully by reading this it would have inspired you to see it- but if you haven’t already got the message.. Go and see it!
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The Best Film So Far This Year
Posted : 17 years ago on 22 April 2007 06:40This movie is Adam Sandler's best movie. There is no arguing with that. Mike Binder (who plays Charlie's lawyer in the film) helms this film and does a safe job with it. I wouldn't say he did a great directorial job, but at least it was evident. The story is basic, yet heartbreaking. A true tearjerker if I ever saw one.
Alan Johnson (Cheadle) gets a surprise when he runs into his old roommate, Charlie Fineman (Sandler). He is shocked to find out that Charlie doesn't remember him at all. Alan later learns that Charlie is suffering with grief from the loss of his wife and kids to a plane crash in 9/11. He attempts to help Charlie get over his grief by rekindling their friendship. Charlie hangs out with Alan because he doesn't know anything about what his family was like and he refuses to talk about it. As Alan spends a lot of time with Charlie it puts a strain on his relationship with his wife (Pinkett-Smith) and kids.
Don Cheadle is great, yes, but that's no news since he is always great. The surprise here is how sensational Adam Sandler's performance was. I can't get over it... really! His grief and emotional distress is there in every single move he makes and it makes you sympathetic for his character. Never before has Adam Sandler achieved such... such... perfectness! Perfectness in comedies, maybe, but never has he crossed the border into drama. Now that he appeared in this movie, I can finally take him seriously as a good actor.
I recommend this film to all... it's very uplifting. If you like Adam Sandler you'll love this movie. If you don't like Adam Sandler, give it a chance anyways and I assure you, you'll probably change your mind.
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