Review: ‘Reign Over Me’ teaches volumes about the human condition

Directed by: Mike Binder

Starring: Adam Sandler, Don Cheadle, Jada Pinkett Smith

Rated: R

The events of Sept. 11, 2001, had an enormous effect on the collective consciousness of the population of the planet.

Life changed that day for everyone.

What is sometimes overlooked is the fact that life changed in different, more personal ways for a relatively few number of people: those who didn’t just see the events on the news but survived the attacks or lost family and friends in the horrific mess.

Director Mike Binder, working from a screenplay he wrote, addresses this phenomenon in one of only two films to do so in the last six years. The other was “United 93,” a gripping drama that felt like an ominous documentary.

Binder’s “Reign Over Me” is an up-close-and-personal character study of a man who has been personally devastated by the loss of his wife, three daughters and even the family pet on 9/11.

Adam Sandler is probably best known for the off-kilter brand of humor he practiced on “Saturday Night Live” and in sophomoric comedies such as “Happy Gilmore.” But his work in “Punch Drunk Love,” “Anger Management” and “50 First Dates” proved he has a worthy range as a dramatic actor. His Charlie Fineman character in “Reign Over Me” is Sandler’s best acting job to date.

The film isn’t a one-man story, though, and initially focuses on Dr. Alan Johnson, played by Don Cheadle. Alan is a man who seems to have it all: A thriving dental practice, a beautiful wife (Jada Pinkett Smith) and a couple of kids. Despite this – and a beautiful patient who is interested in more than dental work – Alan carries with him a sense of nagging malaise.

Alan bumps into Charlie one day in Manhattan and, though the two were roommates at dental school, Charlie doesn’t seem to remember him. Alan knows something is desperately wrong with his friend but isn’t sure what. Despite that, he takes it upon his shoulders to offer help.

It’s not an easy task.

Charlie is obsessed with music, especially tunes from his younger, happier days, including Bruce Springsteen’s “The River” and The Who’s “Quadrophenia.” The former is a record with which Charlie drove Alan crazy during dental school; the latter contains one of Pete Townshend’s most powerful anthems, “Love, Reign O’er Me,” where the film borrows its title. Charlie has a slew of instruments in his apartment where he pounds relentlessly on the drums, accompanying his favorite records.

He’s given up his dental practice after receiving a sizable settlement from the catastrophe that ruined his psyche. No amount of money could have been sufficient for the kind of devastation Charlie has suffered.

Alan begins to unravel his friend’s tale, and begins spending a lot of time with him, much to his family’s concern. He then meets Charlie’s in-laws, who Charlie has been vehemently avoiding since losing his family. While they say they just want him to be “a part of their lives,” their motives are revealed as somewhat more sinister. They initiate court proceedings to have Charlie committed.

The last act of “Reign Over Me” takes place in the courtroom, presided over by Donald Sutherland. All of the principals are there, including Johnson’s overly amorous patient who has taken a liking to Charlie.

The film has been taking criticism for being “melodramatic” or an attempt to cash in on the 9/11 tragedy. I didn’t find it that way and am grateful for filmmakers who are beginning to give us movies about the subject.

Film is a powerful medium and can teach volumes about the human condition. “Reign Over Me” does so.

Jim Wunderle owns Wunderle Sound Services and is a Springfield free-lance writer and musician. He can be reached at info@wunderlesound.com.[[In-content Ad]]