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Most people know Adam Sandler as a doofus clown, but he slowly has been changing that image over the past few years as he attempts more dramatic roles, and inserts more drama into his movies (see Click as a perfect example of this).  If you haven’t been watching, you have missed out, but Reign Over Me is the one you don’t want to miss, and the one that will make everyone realize Sandler is a talented actor, whether it be comedy or drama.

Don Cheadle stars as Dr. Alan Johnson – a successful dentist in New York City.  He has been growing unhappy with his life as it feels like every aspect is run by someone else, whether it is his wife, Janeane (Jada Pinkett Smith), or his dental practice partners.  One day, he serendipitously sees his old college roommate, Charlie (Adam Sandler), buzzing around the streets of New York on a motorized scooter.  Sadly, Charlie’s wife and daughters perished when they were aboard one of the planes used during the September 11 terrorist attacks.  Since then, he has been living in his own world, playing video games, constantly remodeling his kitchen, barely communicating with anyone, and suffering in pain.

Can Alan help Charlie start to heal?  Can Charlie help Alan improve his life?

To call Reign Over Me strictly a 9/11 movie would be unfair and mischaracterizing the film.  Reign Over Me is much funnier than you might think, but delivers emotional wallops that make it one of the best and most heartbreaking movies of the year when it’s time for that.  Writer/director Mike Binder formulates the movie to sneak up on the audience, as we start with a traditional, comedic buddy comedy that shows the renewed relationship between Alan and Charlie, the goofy fun they have together and the troubles each one faces in life. 

Then, Binder eases the audience into the big moments that will make you cry, and it is a wise and skillful preparing of the audience.  Reign Over Me can be a very heavy movie at times, so slowly getting deeper and deeper into the drama, while having a chance to chuckle, is more realistic, and more reflective of the path Alan is taking while trying to help this old friend of his.  Binder goes a bit overboard with one subplot involving Alan and a patient, which helps define the problems Alan faces with his partners and has some funny moments, but twists around to a conclusion that is a bit too cute.  Ultimately, Binder’s movie is a success because the dialogue is solid, the story is involving, and the cast is amazing.  

Between Cheadle, Sandler, Jada Pinkett Smith, Donald Sutherland and more, Reign Over Me has an All-Star cast of heavyweights who add a gravitas befitting of the movie you are watching.  Cheadle is brilliant with a style that is easygoing, never overselling any emotion Alan may be feeling, and acting so naturally you wouldn’t think he is trying (in a good way).  He smoothly moves between drama and comedy, and makes Alan a warm and loving figure, who we can tell is torn, but trying to do his best for family and friends. 

Of course, Reign Over Me has grabbed your attention because you’re curious about Sandler (and you might be screaming at your computer screen because I took this long to get to talking about him).  Surprise!  He’s damn good.  It’s a character that could lead a worse actor to a mawkish performance, but Sandler avoids the temptations of mediocrity to deliver a performance so full of emotion that will blow you away in all of the right spots.  Instead of making Charlie into some sort of emotionally muted character, Sandler slowly brings him to life as the relationship between Alan and Charlie rekindles.  However, it is in the big moment, the emotional soliloquy, where Sandler is awesome.  You’ll never look at him the same way again.   

Reign Over Me only loses its way momentarily at times, but is an excellent movie overall.   

3 ½ Waffles (Out Of 4)

Reign Over Me is rated R for language and some sexual references. 

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