Reign Over Me (2007)

User Rating:

7.8/10   

Director:

Mike Binder

Writer (WGA):

Mike Binder (written by)

Release Date:

23 March 2007 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

Let in the unexpected.

Plot:

A man who lost his family in the September 11 attack on New York City runs into his old college roommate. Rekindling the friendship is the one thing that appears able to help the man recover from his grief.

Plot Keywords:

Grief | Roommate | Friendship | College Roommate | Overprotective Mother

Awards:

2 nominations

Cast

Adam Sandler	...	Charlie Fineman
Don Cheadle	...	Alan Johnson
Jada Pinkett Smith	...	Janeane Johnson
Liv Tyler	...	Angela Oakhurst
Saffron Burrows	...	Donna Remar
Donald Sutherland	...	Judge Raines
Robert Klein	...	Jonathan Timpleman
Melinda Dillon	...	Ginger Timpleman
Mike Binder	...	Bryan Sugarman
Jonathan Banks	...	Stelter
Rae Allen	...	Adell Modell
Paula Newsome	...	Melanie
John de Lancie	...	Nigel Pennington
Paul Butler	...	George Johnson
Camille LaChe Smith	...	Cherie Johnson (as Camille LaChe-Smith)

Also Known As:

Empty City (USA) (working title)
Reign O'er Me (USA) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated R for language and some sexual references.

Runtime:

124 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

SDDS | Dolby Digital | DTS

Certification:

Australia:M | UK:15 | Ireland:16 | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Canada:14A (Alberta/Manitoba/Ontario) | Finland:K-11 | Canada:PG (British Columbia) | USA:R (certificate #42006) | Germany:6 | Sweden:7 | South Korea:15 | Singapore:NC-16 | Brazil:12

Filming Locations:

Boyle Heights, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Greentrees Films

Trivia:

During the scenes in which Adam Sandler is hospitalized, he is wearing a shirt featuring a beaver insignia; the shirt is from Camp Tamakwa, the childhood summer camp of Mike Binder, as well as Sam Raimi.

Goofs:

Continuity: In the scene where Dr. Johnson first meets Charlie on the street, the cars behind Charlie vary from shot to shot. In some there is a big white truck to the left and a car with flashing lights on the left. In other shots, there are only a couple of dark cars parked there

Quotes:

Alan Johnson: [Leaving Angela's office] You OK?
Charlie Fineman: Yeah.
Charlie Fineman: Just make sure they never schedule me near that girl, alright?
Charlie Fineman: I would
[pause]
Charlie Fineman: , No, it's just I never wanna see her again. That's trouble.
Charlie Fineman: She's too good-looking. I just...
Charlie Fineman: Nobody has a right to look that good. She's just trouble for everybody.
Alan Johnson: [laughing] OK, Charlie.

Movie Connections:

Featured in "Siskel & Ebert & the Movies: (2007-03-24)" (2007)

Soundtrack:

No Trouble

If you aren't moved....check your pulse.

It's not very often a movie can literally make the entire audience laugh, and five minutes later fill their eyes with tears. Many movies try to do this, but few can deliver the emotional impact that this film did. Adam Sandler practically drags you in with his heated and often violent outbursts, but also makes you laugh when the shadow of his past isn't pulling him down. I'm not going to ruin anything, but there is one scene in particular that should have your eyes watering and lip quivering. Even the most macho of men would have to be heartless bastards to not feel something while watching this movie. Don Cheadle gives another great performance, but is out-shined by Sandler. Liv Tyler and Jada Pinkett Smith give solid performances, but nothing in the line of the two leading roles. Sandler's humor is still present, which actually saved this film from being border-line depressing. There are several laughs to be had, but don't think you will stay there long, because it gets serious again without much warning.

I could go on and on about how well this movie hit on just about every emotion the human body contains, but I will cut this one short. I feel there is no need to tell you anything more. Do yourself a favor and take the time to see this movie. Even if you have to wait until it comes out on DVD, it's 100% worth the time. A deeply moving film sure to put tears in your eyes and a smile on your face...unless of course...you are a heartless soul.