Reign Over Me

Alan Johnson, a dentist, runs into his old college roommate Charlie Fineman on a street in Manhattan. Charlie lost his family in the 11 September attacks; since then he does not talk to anyone, never takes his headphones off, keeps redoing his kitchen and spends his days playing a video game. As Alan tries to bring him back, he sees the blockage in his own marriage. Mike Binder directed. Adam Sandler plays Charlie and Don Cheadle plays Alan. It contains Melinda Dillon's final screen role. The title comes from the song by The Who. One detail critics kept returning to: Shadow of the Colossus, the game Charlie plays constantly, is not decor but is used intelligently to say what the character cannot. On a 20 million dollar budget it took 22.2 million worldwide, opening at number eight and staying in the top ten for two weeks. Rotten Tomatoes sits at 64 percent from 151 reviews with a 6.3 average, the consensus calling it a charming, affecting tale of friendship and loss. One critic found it maddeningly uneven, with moments of grace followed by stumbles. Who it is for: viewers who want Sandler in drama and like friendship stories built on trauma. Who it is not for: anyone looking for consistency. The film swings between humour and grief and the transitions do not always hold.