I just saw this movie in the theater today, so I want to post this while it's still fresh in my mind. Going into the movie, I didn't have any expectations, positive or negative, about what it might be like. I had heard some talk of it being overly long and a 66% rating on RottenTomatoes, but that was the extent of it.

To start off, I thought that the movie was very well paced. Well paced in the sense that the story manages to move along at a speed that is comparable to the characters own actions. It was well spaced out and allowed the events to just happen, without too much nudging in a particular direction. In other words, it felt not so much that this was a movie, but that this was happening as any other story might happen, just in a more extraordinary fashion. The extraordinary situation being, of course, 9/11 and the effect it had on the people with relatives on the planes or in the buildings.

The actors were all portrayed well, with some being better than others of course, but none in a way that would take away from any of the others. With so many big names in the picture, you would almost expect that sort of undercurrent of egotism that usually runs through any such film. However, I thought that all the actors and actresses addressed their characters seriously and with tactful regard to the touchy subject. And while all the actors did a fine job, Adam Sandler really stood out the most. If I were somebody who had never seen 'Little Nicky' or 'Happy Gilmore' or any of the other comedies he'd done, I would have thought his character was a perfect fit. However, being a viewer who has seen these movies, I thought the same thing. The reason for this is that Sandler's character in many of his movies involves a sort of controlled rage (seen better on 'Anger Management' than anything else) that coems through in fits and starts, but the rage itself seems genuine. This role fits that perfectly with Fineman as the man whose lost everything and can't cope with it, causing his pent up rage and sadness, which Sandler truly helps bring to light. That's the long version, the short of it is that Sandler does a great job and should be taken seriously as an actor, unlike some of his other comedian-turned-serious-actor contemporaries (Remember Vince Vaughn in 'Psycho'? Yeah). But this isn't to say the others don't keep up, they do in a way that both complements Sandler and mixes with the others. All of the characters at some point interact with one another and their experiences colliding with the others makes for a very satisfying and rich plot, weaving one tale with the other.

And the soundtrack wasn't half-bad either, but I think the director tried to push the idea of it too much. There were songs placed at times in the movie where they could have easily done without. At times the songs compressed the movie and made it feel more tightly packed, in contrast with the spacious feel of the scenes and events taking place. The song selection was good; I didn't catch some of the artists, but the Who's 'Love Reign O'er Me' was a perfect fit for the heavier scenes, and there was plenty of country and folk rock to go around for everyone.

I also want to make note of something interesting: at the end of the movie, when the credits start to roll, I've found that the more profound or deeply effective movies tend to have a longer period before people start getting up. After this movie, there was about a 5 second pause where nobody moved, as if they were absorbing everything that had just happened. Now, while this may not seem like a significant pause to some, it was just long enough for people to go, "Huh", before they go back to their life. Almost like a gear change from what happened in the movie to living, breathing, talking like normal. And that pause was definitely a sign that this, this movie, was good. I myself paused before getting up as well, and I would think everyone else that sees this movie will do the same. It's very moving.

Finally, the last issue I wanted to address was the comedy, which in most dramas can either come across as too dry or too forced. This is where Adam Sandler shone almost as bright as his performance in the more serious parts. His experience with sly wit and careful turns of phrase helped make this movie both tender hearted and highly enjoyable. The director's skill in placing humorous bits at certain bits definitely helped move the scenes from one to another. The lines would come naturally and seemed like any normal conversation, but when Sandler said it, you just had to laugh. The only times I felt it was being strained was when Don Cheadle and Jada Pinkett Smith (who, not of small importance, was smoookin the whole way through) would go through their marriage-oh-my-gosh-I-can't-stand-my-wife-sometimes bits which have already been covered thoroughly and perfected by Ray Romano.

Unfortunately, I don't think this film will do that great at the box office, which is a shame as I haven't seen a film that blends drama and comedy in such a current atmosphere in a long time, if ever. I'm not saying that this movie is Academy Award nomination worthy, but then again, who cares? I liked it, and I guess that's about all I can do to convince you to go out and see this movie. It's not the movie where you go out and discuss the issues but one that you leave and sit at home thinking about alone. It's certainly genuine, heartfelt, funny, and at times, it can even make you step outside of yourself for a little while and take a walk in Charlie Fineman's shoes.

Tyler did a masterful job of summing up this movie in his splendid commentary above; and I too would highly recommend this movie for anybody interested in Adam Sandler as a serious actor and the issue of mental illness as a result of 9/11.

Vince Vaughn pretty much started out doing more dramatic stuff. It wasn't until Old School that I really realized he was a comedic genius. Now I have no interest in seeing him do anything but comedy.

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Originally posted by Tyler:

hat's the long version, the short of it is that Sandler does a great job and should be taken seriously as an actor, unlike some of his other comedian-turned-serious-actor contemporaries (Remember Vince Vaughn in 'Psycho'? Yeah)

I had similar thoughts about Vince Vaughan, and then I saw him in "Thumbsucker." He had a minor role, but it was dramatic and he was really pretty good. Keanu Reeves also did a pretty nice job with a serious role in that one.

Anyway, I'm looking forward to Reign Over Me...I thought Sandler was very, very good in "Punch Drunk Love." He'll probably never develop much range outside of what he can currently do, but give him the right role and an empathetic director and he's capable of a lot, I think.