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Reign Over Me
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8.1 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 67 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 56 out of 67
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 67
  3. Negative: 5 out of 67

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  1. ReelWorld
    Mar 30, 2007
    9
    Great film. Terrific performances by Cheadle and especially Sandler. Despite the premise of the character losing his family in 9/11 - the film does not dwell on the issue. I have read reviews where people are bashing the film since it is a reminder to people of that day, but quite honestly, people who have that mindset are the ones who also probably think that any image of the WTC should be banned from ever appearing again. That being said - this film is amazing. You'll laugh, you'll cry, and you'll for sure be shocked by Sandler's performance which is miles beyond anything he's done since Punch Drunk Love. Highly recommended. Don't listen to the reviews who trash the film because of the 9/11 plotline. Sure it was a horrible day - but it's in the past and those who survived it owe it to the victims to go on with their lives and cherish the memory of the day - not live in denial or neverending grief over it.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  2. MitchM.
    Jan 2, 2008
    4
    I plead guilty to having an adverse reaction to anything Adam Sandler is in. That being admitted up front, sitting through this was still a slow torture. I recognize the good intentions and considerable talents that were part of the production, but it never achieved the well-deserved catharsis of a great tragedy, and even fell into that hollywood cliche of portraying madness as an exalted and "special" state of awareness, by matchmaking Sandler and the psycho woman at the end and wrapping a neat little pink bow around it to suggest that they would be a great couple because of their cumulative madness.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  3. ThomasP.
    Jul 30, 2008
    9
    Loved the movie, Adam Sandler was great for a change, Cheadle was as convincing as always. Great soundtrack.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  4. MichaelR.
    Oct 10, 2007
    6
    I Think Adam Sandler is a good actor, but he has had some really bad roles. This his best one since Punch Drunk Love.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  5. ShawnC.
    Apr 6, 2007
    8
    This is a terrific little film, at once heartbreaking and funny as hell in parts. Sandler is astonishing; Cheadle, of course, always is great.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  6. RachelH.
    Jun 29, 2007
    10
    I have watched this movie four times. It is the best movie I have seen this year. It is such a moving story of a mans loss, withdrawing into despair and seeing the ghosts of loved ones, never to return. Adam Sandler is brilliant, and all the other actors. This movie should be nominated for an Oscar for 2007.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  7. JaredC.
    Aug 13, 2007
    10
    Don Cheadle, Adam Sandler, good work. Mike Binder, excellent work. I haven't seen any better. The performances are amazing, the writing directing, there is not one single thing wrong about it.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  8. Jasons.
    Aug 30, 2007
    1
    I'm seriously confused by many of the critical reviews of this film. Normally, I'm kind of a "go with the flow" kind of movie watcher, i.e. if the critics enjoy it then I enjoy it too. But this movie was bad on so many levels. Every role seemed so horribly miscast. Except for Jada Pinkett Smith, that is. You have an overly neurotic Sandler who seems like he's doing his old "they're all gonna laugh at you" routine. You have a bland Tyler, who seems about as vanilla a psychiatrist as they come. You have Cheadle, wasted as some heartthrob doctor with confidence issues. But the problems don't stop with casting. Some of the movie seems like an advertisement for a video game, other parts seem thrown together. There is so much predictability to the subplots yet so many of them are squeezed into the picture in a nonsensical fashion. This movie is so haphazard and boring it finally collapses in on itself, which is why it really deserves such a low score.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  9. StephaneM.
    Oct 13, 2007
    10
    Terrific performance of the actors. I don't understand the critics who rated this that low. The 2 hours just passed by.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  10. ScottC.
    Dec 6, 2007
    10
    An amazing movie that can only truly be understood by the people of New York.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  11. [Anonymous]
    Mar 19, 2007
    8
    It is hard to say who delivers a better performance because both sides of the equation show tremendous potential early on in oscar season. A must-see moving masterpiece not to be missed. I did not like the ending at all and that brought the movie down for me but I Highly recommend it. The screening I saw was wonderful.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  12. TyroneMovieman
    Mar 19, 2007
    10
    By far the best drama to be released thus far in 2006. 300, Breach and Zodiac, despite the versatile differences between all three, do not top this masterpiece. I loved every laughing-crying-aspect of it. It was stunning and unforgettable. See it now.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  13. BrianK.
    Mar 26, 2007
    9
    See this movie, but when you do bring a box of tissues, this movie has quite a few tear jerking scenes, it is very well done,funny at times, heart breaking atimes, and always inspiring. Sandler and Cheadle have great chemistry and Sandler should definitely at least receive Oscar consideration for his role as an eccentric, free spirited 9/11 victim living in denial, who fights each day to hold on to a memory he doesn't want to remember. Interestingly enough this movie is a great promotion tool for the PS2 game shadow of the collossus , now I find myself really wanting to play that game something awful!… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  14. MollyJ.
    Mar 29, 2007
    10
    I loved it. It made me laugh and cry. The characters were crafted so well. Both lead performaces were superb. I hope Adam Sandler is remembered during Oscar Season.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  15. Ellie
    Mar 31, 2007
    10
    One of the best movies of 2007 thus far. Suprisingly delightful, humorous, moving and realistic performances from newly dramatic actor Adam Sandlar and ocscar nominated actor Don Cheadle. The movie is truly a masterpiece with solid and unforgettable performances from every angle. It has a excellent storytelling soundtrack featuring Bruce Springsteen, Bob Seger, and The Who. The New York setting is absolutely appropriate for what is one of the most fascinating, unpredictable and moving stories in recent memory. Side performances from actresses Jada Pinkett Smith and Liv Tyler are unique and well-casted. Seeing Tyler as a optimistic therapist is both funny and well-done. Taking the audiance into the mind of a man suffering from post-tramatic stress was beyond facinating but 100% gripping. I found the movie to be a delightful and stunning, unforgettable motion picture event that is a theatrical must-see. A.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  16. KennyD.
    Apr 11, 2007
    10
    Great performances by Adam Sandler and Don Cheadle...(as always by these two actors)...one of the best movies I have ever seen!
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  17. Angelo
    Apr 20, 2007
    2
    A tonally inconsistent, misogynistic, awkward, lumbering mismash of a movie. Sandler and Cheadle, at least, handle this tripe like pros.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  18. HC
    Apr 27, 2007
    9
    Adam Sandler was so believably screwed-up in this movie. When he finally talked about his family, I sat in the theater with tears streaming down my face, thinking about the people who really lost their families in those planes. I LOVED this movie and adore Adam Sandler and Don Cheadle. I don't think Jada and Liv had strong enough roles, and I hate that they felt they had to stick in a sappy happy ending...although you find yourself relieved that the poor guy's luck was turning around. LOVED, LOVED, LOVED it.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  19. MarieC.
    Apr 4, 2007
    10
    It made me laugh, it made me cry. I wish they would make more movies with good scripts with interesting characters and superb acting such as this one. Please keep them coming. We can not live on fluffy comedies or bad horror films alone.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  20. KevinK.
    May 16, 2007
    9
    I thought this was a wonderful film about honest friendship and about the people we often try most to help, end up helping us. I love that and I always seem to forget it. This film reminds us all about that truth!
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  21. PatrickC.
    May 8, 2007
    5
    Don Cheadle is solid. The script holds strong throughout the film and Sandler isn't awful. But the terrible thing about this film is the fact that the movie is trying to make money off of 9/11. It is awful that they believed they could make money off of making people feel bad. Everything about the film screams "Like me because I'm about 9/11". The movie would have been a smart, solid addition to a year of good films. Instead it was a silly movie that made me angry.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  22. CampbellL.
    Jun 22, 2007
    10
    This film absolutely fascinates me, mainly because of Sandler's character. This film does not attempt exploit our feelings on 911, Charlie lost his entire family in a horrific event but the storyline could have been more or less the same no matter the cause of the tragedy. It manages to be maturely amusing and sad at the same time, "That's how f***ed up I still am; look at a German Shepard and see a goddamn poodle!!" Sandler did a truly epic job in this film, he succeeded where actors like Brad Pitt were too scared to go. The soundtrack was equily as good with Vedder's cover of "Love, Reign O'er me" playing over the credits.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  23. BitBurn
    Jun 28, 2007
    8
    Thanks to Cheadle and Sandler the movie was very good (meaning well acted) although the script was slightly weak.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  24. JasonE.
    Apr 5, 2008
    10
    I honestly cannot understand why critics have been so mediocre towards this movie. It is possibly the most real, human drama I've seen in a very long. Every single actor in this movie is brilliant, and the writing is honest and natural. Far better than the standard overdramatic drivel you'll find critics praising much more readily.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  25. AlexD.
    May 25, 2008
    9
    I just read some of the other reviews and comments, and I must say the negative ones surprise me. I also disagree with them, of course. That is to say, I will admit that the "happy" ending seemed a bit too easy, and Liv Tyler's psychiatrist didn't feel very realistic at times. But those are minor blemishes on an otherwise superb emotional story. Many people seem to think of Adam Sandler as a less than serious comedy actor being cast against character. After Punch Drunk Love, and after seeing Jim Carrey basically doing the same thing (very successfully), I was less surprised. What puzzles me more is why he isn't currently in possession of two Oscars, and perhaps a nomination for the Wedding Singer. Yes, I love Adam Sandler. Another thing that seems to bother people about this movie is its treatment of 9/11. I don't get that. This is a movie about New Yorkers, and surely 9/11 is a part of every New Yorker's life. I would be a lot more surprised if there weren't any stories about people's experiences and loss, or if it were only mentioned in movies that deal specifically with the attacks. This is a story about a man who suffered a great loss, which years later still affects him deeply. That seems right to me. Like I said before, there are a few minor points that I didn't totally agree with. For all his suffering, Charlie seems to be somewhat less than credibly blessed with a psychiatrist who goes way above and beyond the call of duty, a beautiful (if disturbed) woman who seems to find mental problems and men who completely ignore her irresistible, and an apartment that's larger than the White House. I guess I'm just jealous that those things never happen to me. But hey, nothing wrong with some escapism in the movies.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  26. JonR.
    Jun 2, 2008
    9
    One of the best movies I've seen in a while. Its is a little strung out, but I still thought it was excellent.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  27. GlennP.
    Aug 26, 2008
    8
    Sandler surprised me, because I laughed not at the outrageousness of the few comedic bits but at the genuine irony of the fun Charlie and Johnson were having in the midst of such profound grief. I really enjoyed this movie. Viewer should be forewarned that the R rating is deserved, so this is not a film for kids at all.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  28. Brentoni
    Nov 3, 2007
    5
    Slow and not as touching as the subject matter would suggest it to be. Adam Sandler's talent is on full display though.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  29. KeithJ.
    Dec 1, 2007
    6
    I really enjoyed the first 2/3rds of the movie, and then it got sloppy. I like the actors. But to me, the 9/11 aspect felt a bit random (I am not sure why it's important in the story that a personal tragedy took place on 9/11), and the ending felt sloppy.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  30. VeraA.
    Mar 19, 2007
    10
    One of the most uplifiting and insperational must-see films of all time. You will laugh, you will cry, and if you your lucky your life just might be changed. This movie is monumental in every single way. It is wonderful in all its performances. Don Cheadle, star of Hotel Rwanda, delievers what could be called one of the greatest african american celebrations of culture in the history of cinima. Adam Sandler delievers a equally wonderful farting riot of brilliance.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  31. Gina
    Mar 19, 2007
    10
    If you want to go to the movies any time this year, see this film. For me, even though it is just March, I do not remember loving a movie so much. It makes Pursuit of Happyness look like Gigli. Not sappy, just real, heartfelt and unforgettable.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  32. RanO.
    Mar 21, 2007
    10
    Perfect buddy film. Lots of fun and great drama combined.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  33. BillyS.
    Mar 23, 2007
    7
    The opening sequence of Reign Over Me is a man riding a scooter through the streets of New York set to Grahm Nash's "Simple Man". It's a great opening that unfortunately sums up the whole movie about a man who has suffered unimaginable loss and deals with an unrepairable broken heart by simply living in a world of his own creation and denying the reality of his life. The promise Adam Sandler showed in Punch Drunk Love is fully realized in a remarkably stunning dramatic performance that will have other a-list actors drooling over. Don Cheadle as his college roomate and the link to his reality is, as always, outstanding and the two actors have a natural chemistry between them, but the story pulls back on several key scenes that could have been emotionally wrenching in order to play out without a satisfying climax. With Sandler, Cheadle and a soundtrack to die for, Reign Over Me should have been a 10 but it turns out to be a strong 7.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  34. LouiseM.
    Mar 24, 2007
    8
    Adam Sandler deserves an Oscar for this role.....movie seemed a little too long but it had good character development.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  35. Jonah
    Mar 25, 2007
    8
    Don Cheadle shows his versatility by being the supportive leading man and Adam Sandler, like he did in Punchdrunk Love, proves he's capable of being extremely and authentically weird in a thoughtful and often amusing way. This film has moments of wonderful writing.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  36. MarkB.
    Apr 27, 2007
    2
    A broken clock is right twice a day, and Rolling Stone critic Peter Travers is absolutely spot-on in his evaluation of this film. Writer-director Mike Binder, whose last theatrical effort was 2005's estimable The Upside of Anger, had no doubt the purest of intentions and the noblest of motives in making this exploration of a soul that's been completely shattered by a certain recent set of cataclysmic events, but the finished result is grotesque, tasteless and nearly unwatchable: Binder has made 9/11: The Sitcom. Can you use humor as a viable element in dealing with the near-unspeakable horror and tragedy of September 11 and its aftermath? Absolutely; one of the best songs on Bruce Springsteen's 9/11-themed DC The Rising is "Mary's Place", in which the protagonists deal by throwing a wild party, and even Paul Greengrass in United 93 used amusing conversations about families, dates and significant others by passengers and crew members of Flight 93 to intensify their humanity and our feeling of dread in knowing what was going to happen to them. Binder's basic storyline and framework is certainly viable: successful dentist Alan Johnson (Don Cheadle) bumps into his old college roomie Charlie Fineman (Adam Sandler), who's been "dealing with" the loss of his wife and kids by reverting to preadolescence and pretending his family never existed while spurning contact with anyone who reminds him that they did. As the treatment proves, however, Binder is certainly no Springsteen or Greengrass: it's one thing to be artistically ambivalent as to whether Charlie is a funny figure or a tragic one or both, but quite another to keep tweaking the tone from scene to scene for cheap emotional effects so that Binder can twist his audience like a Transformer toy. And then there's the extraordinarily inappropriate subplot involving a seemingly nymphomaniacal young woman (Saffron Burrows, who deserves a salute for doing her best under the circumstances) who's stalking Alan, the running gags in which various people get thrown out of Alan's office only to be readmitted two scenes later, and an annoyingly stereotypical, predictable approach to characterization that's perfectly illustrated by the assumption that because Alan is Black, he can't appreciate Charlie's favorite rock artists or any musician or group that isn't strictly R&B. Even though Sandler's curiously acclaimed but strictly one-dimensional performance serendipitously dovetails with the writing, about the best thing I can say for it is that it's the inevitable price we pay for such GOOD recent work done by comic actors attempting to stretch as Will Ferrell in Stranger Than Fiction, Jim Carrey in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, and Sandler himself in Punch-Drunk Love and Spanglish. Cheadle and Jada Pinkett Smith (as his dissatisfied wife) are normally terrific, charismatic actors but here both come off as so chilly and unapproachable they seem to have force fields operating around them. Ironically, Reign Over Me's only good scene comes late in the film, involves Donald Sutherland as a judge who dispenses truly Solomon-like wisdom in his advice to Charlie's in-laws, and DOESN'T feature any of the three leads! It's obvious from many of these postings that a great many viewers were deeply moved or affected by this film, and I can't or won't try to argue with them. I will humbly suggest, however, that one of many possible reasons for this (at least in some cases) is that Reign Over Me IS exploring new ground by being the first major studio film to deal with the anguish of those who have lost loved ones due to 9/11-related causes. But just as 1947's Gentleman's Agreement won widespread acclaim and awards for being the first big American movie to deal with anti-Semitism, but later came to be seen as overly talky and self-congratulatory, not to say deeply inferior to later, better treatments of the subject (including the film noir Crossfire, released the same year), so will Reign Over Me be totally eclipsed by genuinely good or great movies dealing with its topic that have yet to be made. While Reign Over Me is hardly in the category of, say, the merchants in fall 2001 beating the drum for consumers to keep on consuming "or else the terrorists win", or Ann Coulter slandering 9/11 widows to whip up publicity for her latest book, it still comes across for this moviegoer as crass and exploitative. Worse still, it almost made me nostalgic for such "pure" Adam Sandler vehicles as The Longest Yard, Anger Management and Click. Almost!… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  37. TonyB.
    Dec 17, 2007
    7
    I kept hoping they wouldn't tie things up neatly at the end, and they didn't. Don Cheadle turns in another excellent performance, Adam Sandler is a revelation and the supporting cast is fine.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  38. TheQuietGamer
    Mar 13, 2012
    9
    A fantastic movie that's also an eye opener and emotionally moving, Sandler and Cheadle both gave fantastic performances, I recommend Sandler fans watching so they can see Sandler's more serious side, the characters are extremely likable and the movie is incredibly well written, I highly recommend watching, although not one for younger audiences, it's got nice touches of humor sprinkled throughout, and the friendship between Sandler's and Cheadle's characters is 100% believable, I don't typically watch these kinds of movies, but I'm a huge Sandler fan and I was very happy with this movie, I highly recommend.… Expand
  39. PurpleUrp
    Nov 15, 2011
    7
    A deep, compelling drama that might not interest many but delivers satisfaction if you stay tuned 'till the end. Not used to seeing Adam Sandler in a different pair of shoes which might keep you in zone seeing something so.. odd.
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Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
61 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 33 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 33
  2. Mixed: 14 out of 33
  3. Negative: 1 out of 33
  1. The Hollywood Reporter
    Reviewed by: John DeFore
    80
    It doesn't exploit our emotions about Sept. 11; it simply tells a story that exists because of what happened that day -- one that should resonate with a wide, appreciative audience.
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  2. Variety
    Reviewed by: Joe Leydon
    80
    Sandler (never making a false step while maneuvering though vertiginous mood swings) and Cheadle (deftly commingling instinctive decency with quiet desperation) are individually excellent, and bring out the best in each other. And the picture itself transcends its real but relatively minor flaws to score a satisfyingly potent impact.
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  3. The New Yorker
    Reviewed by: Anthony Lane
    70
    That is an unusually gloomy proposition not just for a studio movie but for a society that, despite the acts and sites of official commemoration, must find good cause to forge ahead from catastrophe. Reign Over Me closes with, at best, a cautious hope, leaving us more anxious than when we went in, and throughout the film there is a stunned and bewildered air hanging over the city, like a heavy smog.
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