“Reign” begins with the reunion of Alan Johnson (Don Cheadle) and Charlie Fineman (Sandler), former dental school roommates who have been out of touch for fifteen years, a period during which both men built successful practices and tight-nit families. While Johnson continues to deal with the throes of marriage and fatherhood, Fineman has deliberately learned to forget about both because his wife and three daughters were killed in 9/11.
At first, amidst their video gaming and Mel Brooks’ marathons, both men seem to have found a much-needed companion. For Alan, Charlie is a valid excuse to put some distance between he and his suffocating wife (Jada Pinkett Smith). And for Charlie, Alan offers a wealth of pre-9/11 memories. But when Alan witnesses two very public and very emotional outbursts by Charlie, he realizes that more than a friend, Charlie needs help, specifically that of Dr. Angela Oakhurst (Liv Tyler), a confident, young shrink.
While “Reign” won’t keep you perched on the edge of your seat, it will certainly keep a tissue lodged in your nose, as Sandler delivers two of the best dramatic scenes in recent memory. It’s almost as if the movie doesn’t begin to feel until Charlie does, after it picks up considerably during Charlie’s first emotional breakthrough, a scene in which Sandler reminds you just how chilling a hot September morning can be.
Sure, there are times when Sandler’s character is less Charlie Fineman, reclusive widower, and more Charlie Gordon, mentally retarded janitor, but for the most part Sandler is brilliant, not even a distant cousin to any part he’s played before.
As usual, Cheadle is genius as the success-and-happiness-aren’t-everything father and husband, while both Pinkett Smith and Tyler deliver memorable performances in their supporting roles. Finally, Saffron Burrows is a scene-stealing beauty and a damn convincing nutjob in her role as the broken-hearted Donna Remar.
For as much 9/11 as this script takes on, writer/director Mike Binder ("The Upside of Anger") never veers away from his characters long enough to take a political jab or a patriotic poke, he just lets the ghost of that day quietly reign over everything and everyone willing to let it.
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Great review
Written by Guest on 2007-04-06 14:27:57
Thanks for the heads up on the "Reign". I absolutely agree...very insightful. |
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