Reign Over Me

Name: Reign Over Me
Genre: Drama
Released: March 23, 2007
Duration: 124 min
Rating: 61
Cast: Adam Sandler, Don Cheadle, Jada Pinkett Smith

2007

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 33 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 253 Ratings

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8.5

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8.5	User Score Universal acclaim based on 253 Ratings

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Reign Over Me

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Movie Details & Credits

Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) | Release Date: March 23, 2007 | R

Starring: Adam Sandler, Don Cheadle, Jada Pinkett Smith

Summary: Former college roommates Charlie Fineman (Sandler) and Alan Johnson (Cheadle) meet up again by chance on a Manhattan street corner. Five years after losing his family on 9/11, Charlie has retreated from his life, and Alan is stunned to see the changes in his formerly gregarious friend. At the same time, Alan who should be enjoying hisFormer college roommates Charlie Fineman (Sandler) and Alan Johnson (Cheadle) meet up again by chance on a Manhattan street corner. Five years after losing his family on 9/11, Charlie has retreated from his life, and Alan is stunned to see the changes in his formerly gregarious friend. At the same time, Alan who should be enjoying his beautiful wife, children and career is overwhelmed by his responsibilities. Their rekindled relationship becomes a lifeline for the two men, who are both in need of a trusted friend at this pivotal moment in their lives. (Columbia Pictures)… Expand

Director: Mike Binder

Genre(s): Drama

Rating: R

Runtime: 124 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

Jack Mathews

The incredibly moving post-9/11 drama Reign Over Me proves that behind the funny guy facades of former standup comedians Mike Binder and Adam Sandler are a pair of very serious talents. Read full review

John DeFore

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. Read full review

Claudia Puig

This is not a simple, uplifting tale. It's never clear whether Charlie will fully recover, and that sense of realism is the film's strength. Read full review

Marc Mohan

The good news is that this movie is no "Spanglish;" the bad news is that Sandler's performance is actually better than the material deserves. Read full review

James Berardinelli

It's tough to make a good tearjerker - one need look no further than this misfire to understand why. Read full review

Lou Lumenick

It's not exactly a surprise the makers of Reign Over Me feel compelled to manufacture a happy ending for a story that really has none. Pity. Read full review

Peter Travers

Veering between sentimentality and exploitation with a few misguided stops at raunchy sex farce, Reign Over Me never finds a tone to suit its purpose. Read full review

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User Reviews

RanO.

Mar 21, 2007

Perfect buddy film. Lots of fun and great drama combined.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

RachelH.

Jun 29, 2007

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 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.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

JasonE.

Apr 5, 2008

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 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.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful

ReelWorld

Mar 30, 2007

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, 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 found this helpful

GlennP.

Aug 26, 2008

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 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.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

EpicLadySponge

Apr 5, 2016

Adam Sandler at his finest. Another decent film from him but can't stand up to Punch-Drunk Love, which will forever be one of the best movies from him.

0 of 7 users found this helpful07

Jasons.

Aug 30, 2007

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 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 1 users found this helpful

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