Reign Over Me (2007, DVD)

Writer/Director Mike Binder presents a devastating portrait of "The 9/11 - Tragedy" as the vehicle of destruction for the main-character (Sandler) one man's life-implosion, placing his wife and daughters on one of the planes that slammed into the World Trade Center.
One-Time Manhattan Dentist Charlie Fineman (Adam Sandler) loses his family in a blink, sending him on a seemingly endless downward spiral, laying waste to his world. (Although 9/11 laid tragedy upon every American - the film's portrait of one man's rise from it's ashes is a brave-portrait of the inner-hero of every survivor.)
Another Dentist, Charlie's old college roommate Alan Johnson (Don Cheadle), becomes an agent of change when he runs into his old friend on the street one day and quickly realizes that something is very much amiss. When he discovers that Charlie has basically retreated from the world, venturing out to collect LPs (he's up to 5,500 of them) or buy more paint for a perpetual kitchen remodel project, Alan decides that he has to help.
Charlie, (paranoid and occasionally delusional amidst his mournfully grief-driven spiral) is worsening by the moment; as Alan declares: "He needs to get back in the game."
'Reign Over Me' offers a tale of redemption and recovery from loss. The characters are sharply drawn, in this film laiden with wonderful performances.
Charlie and Alan mule-about around Manhattan, making for an uneasy buddy film in which Alan is never sure where he stands with Charlie. One moment, they are best pals; the next moment, Charlie is ranting that "they" must have sent Alan to infiltrate his life.
In an view of Charlie's mental sufferings, his character fits the narrative and reflects a deeply disturbed human being; in light of his tremendous losses on 9/11.
Cheadle's performance provides a solid center; while Sandler is the true star of this film. In his first flat-out serious performance since 'Punch-Drunk Love', he channels Dustin Hoffman in 'Rain Man'.
While Charlie's situation is dire, it is the circumstances one empathizes with. There is a well of anger in Sandler that is part of many of his performances, from 'Punch-Drunk Love' to 'Anger Management'. It is the one emotion that always rings true in the actor, and it does again here. Certainly, Charlie has ample reason to be so enraged; passing his days in life listening to the music of his youth as a way to hold back the pain of the present. But together Alan will seek the trigger in himself to rise from his own inner-ashes; and learn to live again; while learning he'll never need to forget.
This Film is a Must-See !! And deserves much praise for it's courage in portraying 9/11, not in exploitation; but for the means of showing personal courage and healing.
See This Film !! It's Powerful & Uplifting - As We Remember And Never Forget !!!! -- But Learn To Heal.
Never Forget America !!!!