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Movie review: “Reign Over Me”
BY MAGGIE SCOTT
How do you cope when almost everything that defined you vanishes in a terrifying, inexplicable act of violence and annihilation? Director/screenwriter Mike Binder is one of the first filmmakers to venture into the heart-wrenching, personal stories territory of 9/11 with his new film, “Reign Over Me.”
With this story of one survivor he explores what it might be like for those whose trauma is ongoing and who need someone to “pull them through.” Audiences may be ready now to go on a journey with a character suffering massive and debilitating sorrow over the loss of his loved ones. But, they aren’t going to be ready for anything that isn’t totally respectful or truthful.
Binder’s story has a fatal flaw: Adam Sandler. Looking like a wasted Bob Dylan, Sandler mopes and rages through most of the movie as Charlie Fineman, a man coping with enormous pain and anger and guilt not by fleeing, but by standing still, by insulating himself from the city and the people who witnessed the carnage.
A scooter and a set of headphones keep Charlie isolated. His apartment is devoid of meaningful life: an enormous LP collection, a kitchen he guts and refinishes on a monthly basis, a room for jamming endlessly to a Bruce Springsteen album, a TV endlessly playing videogames.
He has no friends and no purpose in life except to hide from it. But, one day, he’s spotted on the street by Alan Johnson (Don Cheadle), a dentist who is having trouble speaking up for the things he needs from his medical practice partners and wants from his wife. Alan and Charlie were once roommates at college.
At first, Charlie fights Alan’s initially innocent efforts to probe Charlie’s defenses, which have radar that can detect a shrink in a matter of seconds. Somber and elusive one minute, jovial the next, Charlie gradually seeks out Alan as a playmate, sometimes at odd hours of the night.
This new friendship begins to cast a light on the shortcomings of Alan’s relationship with his family. Alan is chafing at the soft collar of contentment. He’s straining at the silken leash of compatibility. He’s afraid he’s losing himself in a happy marriage.
Can helping Charlie help Alan? Or, will the resurrection of intolerable feelings and images send Charlie to a place where no one can reach him? While Alan’s story arc is pretty old hat, Charlie’s never realizes its possibilities for significant depth.
For years 9/11 will inspire stories of the struggle to achieve peace and acceptance of its horrific cost. Binder has time to do it right. A Mr. Madison/Sunlight Production, Columbia Pictures release, rated R.
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