Reign Over Me (DVD)

I can only assume the 9/11 angle Reign Over Me used to tell its story is the reason people shied away from this fantastic film because there is absolutely no other reason not to enjoy one of 2007s best. Yet again Adam Sandler pushes aside his "zippity doo" persona and turns in a heartfelt performance alongside the always excellent Don Cheadle in a film about love, friendship and coping. This one will surely have the emotional folks in the audience reaching for a Kleenex.

The story centers on Charlie Fineman (Sandler), a one-time dentist that has stopped practicing and resigned himself to his condominium following the death of his wife and daughter in the World Trade Center disaster on September 11th. Alan Johnson (Cheadle) was Charlie's roommate in college and is a New York dentist that just happens to run into Charlie one night and in the process of getting to catch up with his long lost roommate he begins to renew a relationship and do his best to help his friend work his way back into society.

Reign Over Me certainly has its problems logically and it runs into a few cliché issues here and there but overall it manages to tell its story effectively and it is unique enough to separate it from any other films like it. Sandler turns in a great performance and the script is very funny as well as touching. Moments between Don Cheadle and his wife, played by Jada Pinkett Smith, are perfectly designed and work on the premise of less is more, the idea that a look can say as much as words if that look is given by an actor that can act. Both Pinkett and Cheadle live up to this standard.

The only issue I really take with this DVD release is the lack of substance. At least give me a commentary. Are you telling me a commentary on Spider-Man 3 is more important than on Reign Over Me? Give me a break!

All we get here are a couple of throw-away featurettes and a "photographic montage". None of which are worth your time.

Luckily you are buying this DVD for the film and nothing else and that should be enough. Along with Once and Zodiac this was one of my mid-year favorites and a movie a very much recommend you give a chance despite its use of 9/11 as a story device.