NOW ON DVD

REIGN OVER ME

Rated R - 2 hrs. 8 mins.

Adam Sandler, Don Cheadle, Jada Pinkett-Smith, Liv Tyler

Brian’s Rating   

Can we fault a comic actor for trying to expand his range?

Not if the results are as good as Reign Over Me, now on DVD, the latest “Hey I can do serious stuff, too” movie from Adam Sandler. 

The talent we saw just a glimpse of a few years back in Punch Drunk Love has matured into what could only be described as real acting chops as Sandler turns in a performance worthy of any actor his age. 

Mike Binder’s excellent script tells the tale of a dentist so traumatized by the 9/11 death of his family that he retreats into a hermit-like existence with minimal human contact.  That is, until his former college roommate, played by Don Cheadle, sees him on the street and tries to rekindle their friendship.

Reign Over Me is a little long, and Sandler’s voice can be a little grating, but the movie delivers an emotional wallop along with a few decent laughs. 

Be sure to watch for a brief appearance by Donald Sutherland that once again shows how good that guy really is.