Reign Over Me (2007)
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A successful dentist reconnects with a former college roommate struggling with severe PTSD following the September 11 attacks.
The story
Alan Johnson, a successful but bored dentist living in New York City, unexpectedly runs into his old college roommate, Charlie Fineman. Charlie is a recluse suffering from severe PTSD and depression following the loss of his wife and daughters in the September 11 attacks. While Charlie spends his days in isolation, repeatedly renovating his kitchen and using music to block out the world, Alan begins spending more time with him. Concerned by Charlie's erratic behavior and inability to process his grief, Alan eventually convinces his friend to seek professional therapy, leading to a complex journey of emotional confrontation and healing.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
Alan Johnson, a successful New York City dentist, leads a mundane life until he encounters his old college roommate, Charlie Fineman. Charlie is a shell of his former self, living in a near-empty apartment and suffering from PTSD after losing his family in the September 11 attacks. He spends his time in a cycle of renovation and isolation. Alan's wife becomes frustrated with his frequent absences, while Charlie's former mother-in-law, Ginger, urges Alan to help Charlie find family and therapy. After Alan's father dies, Charlie's inability to process the news highlights his profound grief. Alan eventually introduces Charlie to a therapist, Angela Oakhurst. During a session, Charlie reveals the harrowing details of his flight from Boston to Los Angeles. Overwhelmed, Charlie attempts suicide by cop but is hospitalized and eventually committed to psychiatric care. During a hearing, Charlie suffers a breakdown when shown photos of his family. He ultimately decides he doesn't need to look at pictures because he sees his family in the faces of strangers. He moves out of his apartment, and Alan reconciles with his wife, acknowledging his own need for connection.
- First release year
- 2007
- Runtime (minutes)
- 124
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Mike Binder
- Writers
- Mike Binder · writer
- Cast and characters
- Adam Sandler · Alan Johnson; Don Cheadle · Charlie Fineman; Jada Pinkett Smith · Angela Oakhurst; Liv Tyler · Donna Remar; Saffron Burrows · Ginger Timpleman; Donald Sutherland
- Genres
- buddy drama
- Themes
- grief; PTSD; friendship; healing
- Tone and mood
- therapeutic; mottled; graceful
- Premise and plot tags
- buddy drama; drama; September 11 attacks; grief
- Franchise connections
- Happy Madison Productions
- Reception
- The film received generally favorable reviews, with a Metacritic score of 61. Critics noted its uneven nature, describing it as a 'strange, black-and-blue therapeutic drama' with both 'likable good intentions' and 'agitating clumsiness.' It was also praised for its intelligent thematic treatment of video games.
- Reported review scores
- Metacritic · score: 61 · scale: 100 · review count: 33
- Production trivia
- It is the first of two films produced by Madison 23 Productions.; The film includes a cover version of 'Love, Reign o'er Me' recorded specifically for the movie by Pearl Jam.; Daisy Ridley stated in a 2017 interview that this is the film that makes her cry the most.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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