'Reign Over Me'

Adam Sandler's stars in 'Reign Over Me' as the New Yorker named Charlie Fineman who has lost his wife and three daughters impulsively and tragically. Years pass but he hasn't moved on. He's wihdrawn and shut himself down emotionally and socially never mentioning his family. He's trying hard and his best to just ignore the past. His life revolves around the same room, the kitchen he keeps on remodelling over and over again and playing a video game. Grief, clinical depression, guilt and self–punishment have totally contrived his basic outlook and character.

When Charlie runs into his college roommate Alan (Don Cheadle), Charlie insists he doesn't remember Alan. He holds his old friend at a distance. Alan can't believe this disconnected and distant man is his old friend. But yet, Alan can't shake the feeling that rebuilding this friendship seems to be the only thing that may help Charlie in overcoming his grief.

So then what does the title got to do with the movie exactly?

When Charlie feels threatened or must keep his mind from wandering to uncomfortable thoughts, he retreats into loud classic rock played over his headphones. One of those songs—played prominently several times in the film—is The Who's "Love, Reign O'er Me" (redone for the film's soundtrack by Pearl Jam). It's obvious that it's not just a random song placement. In fact, the song's title fills in the word missing from the film's name.

What does Charlie need to reign over him? Love.

In telling the story of Alan's steady and rigorous love slowly brightening Charlie's dark world, Reign Over Me hits on poignant, profound themes that make you think. This movie will lead to great discussions. Christians will see several ideas and thoughts reflected from the Bible. And Charlie's attitudes, emotional traps and side effects of grief may remind any audience of hurting loved ones—or themselves. After the film, one is flooded with the thoughts of hurt friends you might want to call. You may feel the need to talk to your spouse about what you want for them if you pass on first. There are just so many provocative truths.

We see an example of why God designed us for close friendships and biblical fellowship. We see why we need each other. We see the importance of communication. We see the reality of people painfully holed up in their grief. We see the need to not run from or bury past loves, losses and mistakes, but instead remember—as painful as that process may be. We see why love is selfless. And we see the reason for Paul's message in Hebrews 10:24–25: "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit are doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching" (NIV).

At its heart, the movie is about people who have lost their bearings through tragedy, and dealing with it in unhealthy ways. It's redeeming and powerful—though uncomfortable to watch at times because it's about messy people navigating messy lives. And like in life, nothing heals quickly and easily. Instead, progress comes in fits and starts—and tends to hit rock bottom just when you think everything's getting better.

Sandler gives a good performance by creating a very real person who's messed up—but realistically and sympathetically so. He commands the movie with a powerfully subtle and evolving portrayal. He's matched by the always solid Cheadle, who isn't just the straight guy to Sandler's messiness—but is also a three–dimensional character on his own journey.

Cheadle thereby gives us a movie which can stir us and make us think about our lives and of those around us to really introspect and see how we get and make an impact on the lives surrounding us.