Reign Over Me is by far Sandler’s best work to date from an acting standpoint. Like Jim Carrey, these dramas struggle to find an audience and in terms of box office receipts are complete failures compared to the blockbuster success the comedies are. If anything give Sandler and Reign Over Me a chance and do not just write it off like other 9/11 movies as this one is more about the effects it has had instead of the actual event.
“Reign Over Me” delivers a heartbreaking story of personal development and the pain of loss with humor, respect and dignity. The performances are subtle yet striking , leaving you with both feelings of comfort and sorrow as you are torn between feeling sorry for a man living with intense pain and wishing he would give in to society’s demands for his well-being. Sandler’s acting is Oscar-worthy to say the least, which could come as a surprise to fans of his wacky comedic roles. Overall, the film weaves an intense tapestry of emotional highs and lows, and will force you to open up your eyes to the world around you and make you realize just how precious life can be.
The supporting cast does an amazing job helping keep up appearances for the two leads. Jada Pinkett Smith has never been an actress that impressed me and throughout the film played the tough as nails wife nicely, but it is her final scene on the phone with Cheadle that really showed me something different and true. Liv Tyler is a bit out of her element as a psychiatrist, but the movie calls her on this fact and makes the miscasting, perfect casting. The many small cameos are also effective, even writer/director Mike Binder's role as Sandler's old best friend and accountant. Last but not least is the beautiful Saffron Burrows. She is a great actress and plays the love-crushed divorcée trying to put her life back together wonderfully. A role that seems comic relief at first, but ends up being an integral aspect for what is to come.
After watching this movie, you would have to say that it would be worthy of Oscar Nominations for Sandler as Best Actor, and Cheadle for Best Supporting Actor.
