Reign Over Me (2007)

The Power of Grief

Despite success as a dentist and family man, Alan Johnson (Don Cheadle) feels empty and can't quite determine why. Even is wife (Jada Pinkett Smith) and daughters notice and it threatens both his career and his family.

Quite by chance, Alan runs into his old college roomate, Charlie Fineman (Adam Sandler), who he hasn't seen in years. But resuming the friendship is a difficult thing. Charlie is completely drawn into himself and acts almost autistic since the death of his wife and children in the 9/11 terrorist attack. He has no need to work due to the government money given to the survivors of those who perished in the attack, so he spends his days alone, sometimes riding his scooter around Manhattan, especially at night.

Alan keeps knocking hard to get in as he sees that Charlie is in desperate shape. He solicits the assistance of a shrink (Liv Tyler) in trying to help Charlie. In the process, Alan identifies his own priorities and his own attitude improves.

While it's difficult to view a film that hinges on the deaths of 9/11, this is a worthy, albeit sometimes uneven, film directed by Mike Binder.

Terrific soundtrack includes Bruce Springsteen, The Who, Pearl Jam, and The Fray.

Rated R for language and some sexual references.