'Reign Over Me'

'A Harrowing Drama; Sandler astounds!'

'Reign Over Me' has been released with much skepticism. 'Reign' is Adam Sandler's first heavily dramatic role. (To be fair, he's dabbled in seriocomedy with 'Punch Drunk Love' and 'Spanglish) Sandler plays Charlie Finneman, a former dentist who has lost his family in a terrible tragedy. Charlie has sunk into a world of seclusion, set to the music of The Who's "Quadrophenia" and Bruce Springstten's "The River". Charlie speeds down the streets of New York on his motorized scooter, headphones clasped over his ears, shutting out the rest of the world. Finneman's appearance is unkempt to say the least. His hair resembles a bird's nest with curls of gray-black waving in and out.

Alan Johnson (Don Cheadle)is a dentist who feels trapped in his dental practice, and in his mariage to his wife (Jada Pinkett Smith). One day while stuck in traffic, Alan sees Charlie headphones clasped over his ears. When aproached by Alan, Charlie can't recall college. Alan insists they know each other and eventually the two develop a deep bond.

This setup sounds like a made for T.V. weepie. It is probably because of the way I described it. while all the elements of melodrama are there, director Mike Binder never seems to fall into that certain path. There are moments where he pushes the emotional accelerator, but even those work. Whether it is manipulation or craftsmanship, it works on an audience.

The acting is the best reason to seek this film out. Cheadle is at his best as always. Alan has to be normal. He has to be our vessel to view Charlie. Cheadle fills the bill and adds more than the usual straight man act.

As for Sandler, this is the best he has ever been. It is hard for me to imagine anyone else in this role. We all know he good at the manchild shtick, but when his character finally confronts the tragedy in his life Sandler can just bring you to tears.... so can the film.

Grade: A