We always hear of the sad events of the misfortune day of 9/11, but who actually knows a person that's been through all those things? A person who had to go through the pain and griffin of what happened in New York in 2001? A person who lost everything because of these tragic facts? Well, I certainly don't, and 'Reign Over Me' shows the 9/11 not just as images on the TV, but how it actually changed lots of people's lives using a fictional character.
'Reign Over Me' tells the story of Charlie Fineman (Adam Sandler), a man who lost his wife, three daughters and his dog because of what happened in that tragic day of 9/11/20001. And 6 years after all this, he still didn't get past the pain, living alone in his apartment, with no job or friends. But it all changes when Alan Johnson (Don Cheadle), his former college roommate, happily married and father of two, encounters Charlie in the street. They start to hang out together and Alan starts to help Charlie get over his loss. The original screenplay written by the also director Mike binder is really good, especially the way it tells the story, first showing Alan's perfect life and then moving on to Charlie's recluse. The script can get a little sentimental at times, and with the exception of the two leads, the characters aren't really good, and the ending is quite weird, but overall it's a good original screenplay. A really interesting story.
The acting here is slightly above average, with nice performances by the whole supporting cast, with the exception of Liv Tyler. I never really liked her, and in this movie she feels a little bit out of place. Another actress would go better in the whole of the shrink. Don Cheadle, as always, does a competent job. Of course it's nothing compared to his role in 'Hotel Rwanda', but he's quite good. Much to my surprise, Adam Sandler was the best member of the cast. Of course it's no outstanding performance, but he should have been at least Oscar-nominated for his role as Charlie. The scene where the character breaks down and starts to talk about his family has some really good acting by him. Watching this movie, I realized he has talent, he just have to pick better projects.
Mike Binder's direction was nothing out of the ordinary. Of course it's almost impossible to be original these days, but he did a nice job. Not bad, not great, but normal. There were some scenes really well-directed, but in others, the hand of a great director would have make a difference. One thing that I really like about this movie is its soundtrack. it features really good songs, and the inclusion of lots of 'The Who' songs really pleased me. The editing is also nice, because the movie doesn't have one scene that could have been deleted or scenes missing, and has a perfect runtime that doesn't let you bored at all.
Overral, 'Reign Over Me' is a very nice movie from 2007. It treats the 9/11 in a more personal and natural way, with some really well-developed main characters. But the over sentimental script, the ordinary acting (with the exception of Sandler, in a nice performance) and directing keeps this movie alway from been a masterpiece. Good to watch once, but that's it.
7/10
'Reign Over Me' tells the story of Charlie Fineman (Adam Sandler), a man who lost his wife, three daughters and his dog because of what happened in that tragic day of 9/11/20001. And 6 years after all this, he still didn't get past the pain, living alone in his apartment, with no job or friends. But it all changes when Alan Johnson (Don Cheadle), his former college roommate, happily married and father of two, encounters Charlie in the street. They start to hang out together and Alan starts to help Charlie get over his loss. The original screenplay written by the also director Mike binder is really good, especially the way it tells the story, first showing Alan's perfect life and then moving on to Charlie's recluse. The script can get a little sentimental at times, and with the exception of the two leads, the characters aren't really good, and the ending is quite weird, but overall it's a good original screenplay. A really interesting story.
The acting here is slightly above average, with nice performances by the whole supporting cast, with the exception of Liv Tyler. I never really liked her, and in this movie she feels a little bit out of place. Another actress would go better in the whole of the shrink. Don Cheadle, as always, does a competent job. Of course it's nothing compared to his role in 'Hotel Rwanda', but he's quite good. Much to my surprise, Adam Sandler was the best member of the cast. Of course it's no outstanding performance, but he should have been at least Oscar-nominated for his role as Charlie. The scene where the character breaks down and starts to talk about his family has some really good acting by him. Watching this movie, I realized he has talent, he just have to pick better projects.
Mike Binder's direction was nothing out of the ordinary. Of course it's almost impossible to be original these days, but he did a nice job. Not bad, not great, but normal. There were some scenes really well-directed, but in others, the hand of a great director would have make a difference. One thing that I really like about this movie is its soundtrack. it features really good songs, and the inclusion of lots of 'The Who' songs really pleased me. The editing is also nice, because the movie doesn't have one scene that could have been deleted or scenes missing, and has a perfect runtime that doesn't let you bored at all.
Overral, 'Reign Over Me' is a very nice movie from 2007. It treats the 9/11 in a more personal and natural way, with some really well-developed main characters. But the over sentimental script, the ordinary acting (with the exception of Sandler, in a nice performance) and directing keeps this movie alway from been a masterpiece. Good to watch once, but that's it.
7/10