The Crippling Wounds of Grief and the Healing Power of Friendshipby Working-Scribe_Aberjhani

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October 27, 2008: The nonstop reverberating horror of September 11, 2001, has spawned a number of notable films and REIGN OVER ME deserves a place among them. The opening scenes of the movie are brilliantly simple, starting with Adam Sandler as Charlie Fineman gliding through New York City on his scooter like an overgrown kid floating through a dream until awakened from it by his former college roommate, Don Cheadle as Alan Johnson.

The light comic tone set by writer and director Mike Binder at the beginning of "Reign Over Me" allows viewers to become comfortable with the idea of a new and unique kind of "guy movie." We settle down to be entertained by former roommates who re-enter each other's life and presumably will experience all kinds of hilarity as a result. That presumption, it turns out, reveals only a very small part of a very big story. A current popular expression states that "People come into our lives for a reason." But in the case of this movie, we might change it to "People come back into our lives for a reason."

The more Charlie and Alan reintegrate themselves into each other's life, the more clear it becomes that both are living with deeply hidden wounds that block their desire for happiness. In Alan's case, it's his seeming dissatisfaction with a marriage in which he has begun to feel stifled and his frustration with the bossy partners in a small but successful dental clinic that he established. On the other hand, Charlie's primary issue appears to be a case of burned-out stoner until we learn that he lost his wife and children on 9/11. Years after the event, the blow is still such a devastating one that he can barely function outside of riding his scooter, sitting in as a drummer on late-night club jam sessions, and playing electronic games. Millions of dollars collected in insurance money don't help much either. The loss of his family has left him so detached from any sense of connection and ordinary emotions that he is completely devoid of compassion when Alan's father dies. Upon hearing the news, instead of nodding with understanding when Alan declines his invitation to hang out and eat Chinese food, Charlie tells him, "Come on, don't be such a p_ssy."

As heavy as "Reign Over Me" can get at times, it also contains a lot of feel-good moments as well, such as when Saffron Burrows, as Alan's patient Donna Remar, innocently declares she would have sex with him if he wished just so she can get the urge to do so out of her system. It's also genuinely moving to see the support that Charlie and Alan try to provide each other as they confront their individual demons/dilemmas. In addition, Jada Pinkett Smith as Alan's wife, Liv Tyler as Charlie's therapist, and Donald Sutherland as a judge round out a powerful supporting cast.

What we witness at the end of "Reign Over Me," with the sound of Pearl Jam wailing soul-ripping angst in the background, is a man with a brutally broken heart struggling to find enough faith and strength to help him believe that his life can somehow become good and worth living again. It's not hard to identify with Charlie because the pain he continues to feel, even as he takes steps toward healing himself, makes a perfect symbol for the pain people all over the world continue to feel and live following September 11, 2001, seven whole years ago as of this writing.


by Aberjhani
author of "ELEMENTAL, The Power of Illuminate

This review was written about the DVD Wide Screen edition.

I Also Recommend: The Garden of Elah.

AMAZING!!!by Anonymous

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December 27, 2007: Reign Over Me is an outstanding movie showing the effects of 911 on a man, and his struggle to get through every day events...truely amazing...highly recommend watching!

This review was written about the DVD Wide Screen edition.