Reign Over Me: Whose Reality Guides Us?

When a person loses the drive to carry on what do they have left?  This loss is enough to make anyone shut down and replace the socially accepted world for one of fantasy.  In this state of turmoil the individual feels their only safety is in what they create and it may be their friends who must help them see more.  Reign Over Me tells the story of a man in this situation and the friend who reopens the world to him; however, the film challenges the viewer with the philosophical question: “does everyone need to live in the same reality?”

Since his starring role in Punch Drunk Love, Adam Sandler, well known for his comedy, is slowly showing the world he is a very powerful dramatic actor. Sandler demonstrates his power and skill through Charlie Fineman in Mike Binder’s Reign Over Me.  As the movie develops, we learn Charlie’s wife and children perished on September 11, 2001.  The result of this tragedy is his complete social shutdown; he quits his job, exiles his in-laws, his only remaining family, and hides from his pain in the fantasy world of video games and music.  Sandler plays Charlie’s moroseness and anger with such conviction the viewer feels his pain; however; his ability to find humor, laughter, joy and love in this tragic character truly makes this a powerful performance.  In the brief moments when he smiles while riding his scooter, jest with Don Cheadle, or glances at the woman he so desperately desires Sandler provides stark contrast to the dominant sadness running through this character. This contrast creates an exceptionally layered and interesting character drawing us into the film.  Sandler offers a phenomenal performance but he does not stand alone in this film.

When Alan Johnson, played by Don Cheadle, begins working himself back into Charlie’s life he unconsciously uncovers he is not present for his own.  Cheadle’s choice for consistency in this role makes him powerful.  Alan Johnson is stuck in an unsatisfying marriage, facing a malpractice suit at work and exile from his partners; he is a man defeated by his own life.  His quest to save Charlie is his life’s blood because in saving Charlie he saves himself.  This opportunity is exciting and rejuvenating; however, Cheadle explores the depths of his defeat by approaching his quest for salvation with no more fervor than sitting down to dinner with the family he is slowly losing.  When he finally reaches a moment of explosive excitement we witness the fire burning within this man and know he has the power to reclaim his life.  To achieve this he must challenge Charlie to break free of his fantasy world and challenge himself if breaking the fantasy is the correct thing to do.

Mike Binder’s Reign Over Me is a compelling story dealing with a controversial issue of perception.  Charlie’s diligent fight to preserve the reality he creates makes me wonder if he needs anything else.  His reality is not socially acceptable however it does not adversely effect what is socially acceptable.  In that he does no harm should he be changed?  Conversely, each time someone attempts to bring the socially acceptable reality to Charlie it adversely effects him.  His in-laws, Alan, the psychiatrists all want to help him face “reality”; however, they also demonstrate their selfishness by imposing their wants and disrespecting Charlie’s.  It may appear that leaving Charlie alone is the stronger option; but, I feel the Judge, played by Donald Sutherland, addresses the film’s philosophical question the best with his statement “...this man may or may not need help.”  With this he sums it all up suggesting there is no way to tell or qualify as all options have equally weighted value.  

Reign Over Me is a powerful film dealing with a controversial issue which questions the audiences perception of reality.  The performances by Sandler and Cheadle are exceptionally powerful drawing the viewer into the film so that we may face this controversy on a personal level.  It is a riveting film carrying us through the turmoil and struggle in these men’s lives and leaves us to answer the questions presented for ourselves.