Reign Over Me (2007)

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.

Director:

Mike Binder

Writer:

Mike Binder

Stars:

Adam Sandler, Don Cheadle, Jada Pinkett Smith

3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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)

Storyline

Alan Johnson has everything he needs to get through life: a good job, a beautiful and loving wife, and their wonderful children. Yet he feels isolated because he finds having a hard-working job and managing a family too much to handle and has no one to talk to about it. Charlie Fineman, on the other hand, doesn't have a job or a family. He used to have both until a terrible loss, and the grief caused him to quit his job and isolate himself from everyone around him. As it turns out, Alan and Charlie were roommates in college, and a chance encounter one night rekindles the friendship they shared. But when Charlie's problems become too much to deal with, Alan is determined to help Charlie come out of his emotional abyss.

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Plot Keywords:

grief | mental breakdown | depression | post september 11 2001 | attempted suicide by cop | 

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Taglines:

In a city of millions, finding one can change your whole life

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Genres:

Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language and some sexual references

Details

Official Sites:

Sony Pictures [United States]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

23 March 2007 (USA)

Also Known As:

Empty City

Filming Locations:

Boyle Heights, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$20,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$7,460,690, 23 March 2007, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$19,661,987, 29 April 2007

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$1,756,556

Company Credits

Production Co:

Relativity Media,Madison 23,Sunlight Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

124 min

Sound Mix:

SDDS Dolby Digital DTS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

At one point Javier Bardem was going to play Don Cheadle's role of Alan Johnson. Scheduling conflicts led to Cheadle being cast in the role instead. However, Bardem was instrumental in getting Adam Sandler cast in the film. Bardem had seen Punch-Drunk Love (2002) and recommended Sandler to Writer and Director Mike Binder.

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Goofs

When Charlie is walking towards the water after the court hearing, Alan's car door is still open. Once they change camera angles, the door is closed.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Melanie: New patient?
New Dental Patient: Yes, I was referred by my lawyer about veneers.
[big grin]
Melanie: You're a new patient, that's all I need to know. Fill this out so we know who to contact in case we loose you in the chair.
New Dental Patient: [speechless]
Melanie: That was a joke, sweetie, I was being funny.
[abruptly slides the window closed]

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Alternate Versions

A scene removed from the UK version of the film is the montage of scenes with Angela Oakhurst (Liv Tyler) consoling Charlie Fineman (Adam Sandler) with the original version of 'Love, Reign o'er me' playing in the background.

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Connections

Featured in Top 5 Best/Worst: Top 5 Best Adam Sandler Peformances (2016)

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Soundtracks

Stop Your Sobbing
Written by Ray Davies
Performed by The Pretenders
Courtesy of Warner Music UK
By Arrangement with Warner Music Group Film & TV Licensing

User Reviews

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.