The film Reign Over Me is a 2007 effort of a famous comedic actor, Adam Sandler, taking a stab at a serious role alongside Don Cheadle. Sandler’s character is a widower who lost his family during the 9/11 attacks. Cheadle finds and befriends him, only to find that Sandler is still in the throes of depression and despair. When Sandler has a manic episode, he has to struggle to prove he can find his way, and does not need to be institutionalized with the help of Cheadle and the handful of supporting cast the film picks up along the way.
With the Wikipedia article out of the way to contextualize the film, let’s talk about 9/11 exploitation and when it’s ok to make 9/11 jokes, ok?
This is a Cheadle Movie
Reign Over Me is an Adam Sandler movie that’s actually about Don Cheadle that forgets its about Adam Sandler. Y’know? These two towering acting powers face off in the film, with Cheadle’s talent ultimately shining through as the most memorable performance. With Cheadle outperforming, his 1B plotline narratively takes a backseat to Sandler’s 1A plotline. Then, as the film reaches its third act, Cheadle’s plot gets two moments of catharsis, sandwiched between Sandler’s one big courtroom scene.
The first Cheadle climax is punctuated by a joke that insinuates that Cheadle’s success was only due to Sandler’s cleverness. This conflict between Cheadle and his dentistry partners was developed effectively, and his moment of victory felt earned, and the joke that tops the scene was fantastic.
Fair enough. Then a second climax hits the character.
Cheadle is in a boring marriage with Jada Pinkett Smith, despite it being free of tension and conflict. It’s almost an open secret between them that she drags him into activities that he does not particularly enjoy, but can’t find the footing to reject: photography classes, puzzles, etc. The climax of this thread comes with Cheadle admitting he needs to open up to her more. I don’t think that the problem and solution of this plot was properly connected. I don’t think that Pinkett Smith’s egging and poking Cheadle was an effective way of getting him into standing up for himself, nor does Cheadle’s conclusion feel like the right solution. It feels a little two plane, but it’s fine.
This is a Sandler Movie
But then we come to Sandler, and who his character is and what he’s going through. Sandler is suffering from PTSD and depression, and is actively repressing his memories and feelings by distracting himself with music and video games and childish whimsy. When he meets Cheadle, Sandler drags his new friend into his world of late-night movie marathons and talking about tits. It’s cute. They don’t particularly have chemistry, but it’s nice to see a friendship blossom. Sandler angrily deflects attempts at getting mental health help, almost with paranoia, but when he finally does accept the help, it comes in the second act. The big conflict was mostly concluded when he sits down with a professional. The climax felt a bit jarring.
Sandler devolves further in his mania and depression, to the point that he’s rocking back and forth in his seat and mumbling lyrics out loud in the middle of the courtroom. As sad as that scene is, I wasn’t sure that that performance was what was needed. It felt like Sandler was channeling Billy Maddison. That aside, I had issues with this climax because Sandler’s character does not change or grow. His character just didn’t land.
This is a Jet Fuel Can’t Melt Steel Beams movie
We’re talking about a core value of character development in stories. The protagonist needs to grow and change, right? They need to adapt to overcome their obstacles in order for the film to feel triumphant. That kind of evolution happens to Cheadle. Who’s the protagonist? Who’s the main character? Cheadle grew and changed, but his story was structured as a secondary plot. Sandler took the most screen time, pushed and pulled most of the plot, affected and tied together every other character in the film. He got the big courtroom scene and emotional gut punch moment. But he didn’t change. Sandler refused help.
Sandler was offered state-sponsored institutionalized help. He rejected it in favor of moving out of his old apartment. That was the only change. He was already getting help from psychologist Liv Tyler, and it was only implied that he was going to continue. The lack of change screams ‘foil character’ not ‘main character’. In fact, Sandler’s paranoia that Cheadle was trying to trick him into getting help was even realized- Sandler was justified in thinking that it was an inside job. His unhealthy behaviors were proven true, so he didn’t have to change.
All I’m trying to say here is that narratively, the film left me unsatisfied and feeling empty, even though the performances were fantastic, and the metaphors and themes were profound. I didn’t much like the constant objectification of women (Pinkett Smith nags and cooks, Liv Tyler’s tits are mentioned, there’s also a nymphomaniac character who’s implied to have hooked up with Sandler at the end of the movie). I rate this movie
YMMV.
I saw Reign Over Me on Tubi.
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