Rewind – Reign Over Me (2007)
On Sunday night, my husband and I, once again, decided to take in a flick…at home. The 2007 release, Reign Over Me, was on our In-Demand channel and since we both like Adam Sandler and the trailer looked interesting, we thought we’d give it our attention for two hours. Short take – we liked it. Would it have been worth a trip to the theater to see it? In my humble opinion, no. However, it is a heart-warming film and I do recommend it.
Reign stars Adam Sandler and Don Cheadle in the lead roles with Jada Pinkett Smith, Liv Tyler, Donald Sutherland, and writer, director, actor Mike Binder in supporting roles. Sandler’s character, Charlie Fineman, suffers from some form of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder caused by the loss of his entire family (his wife and three children) in the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Charlie refuses to think about them. He even won’t allow himself to remember the good times he had prior to their deaths. Instead, he just lives his life each day remodeling his kitchen, playing video games, or playing the drums in a band. One afternoon while riding his motorized scooter through the streets of New York, his old college roommate, Alan Johnson (Cheadle), spots him from his car window and tries to get his attention. He eventually catches up with him and the two strike up an odd friendship for the remainder of the film.
The movie is about the struggles a survivor goes through after such a tragic event. It’s about finding the courage to seek help. But most of all, it’s about friendship and the re-formation of old bonds between two people under totally different circumstances.
Reign tugs at your heart strings. Sandler’s portrayal of the man learning to survive…and learning to move on…is quite touching in and of itself. If the film had been released later this year (it hit the theaters in late March), the chances for Sandler to receive a Globe or Oscar nomination would have been greater. Don Cheadle does a good job in the role of the friend as well.
Reign is a date night flick. I give it
reels.
Until next time, see YOU at the movies!
Lisa 
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