December 14, 2005
REIGN O’ER ME
Screenplay by Mike Binder
Synopsis by Brian Aldrich
Spanish ex-patriot ALAN FALLARDON’s life is almost too much for him to handle. Living in NYC, he juggles his time between his successful dental practice, his wife JANEANE, their 3 kids, and his ailing elderly parents BENITO and HENRIQUA. He is a busy man, loaded down with the responsibilities of adult life in the 21st Century. While running yet another errand, he sees his old college roommate CHARLIE MCCALLUM who he hasn’t seen in years. He appears unkempt and rides a motor scooter. Charlie’s wife and kids were killed on 9/11/01 when the plane they were traveling on crashed into one of the World Trade Center towers. When a new patient, DONNA REMAR, makes unwanted sexual advances towards him, he has his tough office manager, MELANIE, tell her not to return. This prompts a sexual harassment suit from Melanie and Alan’s partners tell him to solve the problem before the lawsuit bankrupts them. Alan is reunited with Charlie and tries to reignite their friendship. However, Charlie lives in his own world of comic books and video games. He no longer practices dentistry and lives the life of a ten year old. Charlie has hidden himself away from the unpleasant reality of his life and refuses to talk or even think about it.
When Alan tries to bring up the deaths of his family, Charlie freaks out and won’t listen. Charlie’s in-laws, JONATHON and GINGER TIMPLEMAN, share their concern for Charlie to Alan. While they have a genuine concern for Charlie, they did not share in the settlement money Charlie received from insurance and the government. They question the motives of Charlie’s best friend and accountant BRIAN SUGARMAN and his landlady ADELL MODELL. Janeane begins to resent all the time Alan spends with Charlie and makes him sleep on the couch. When Alan’s father Benito dies, his mother Henriqua wants to return to live in Spain with Alan’s brother JORGE, but Alan tries to find her another apartment to separate herself from her memories. Alan reluctantly meets with Donna who surprises him with an apology for her erratic behavior caused by her recent betrayal and divorce. Alan sets up a meeting between Charlie and therapist NIGEL PENNINGTON, but Charlie won’t go for it and freaks out again. Janeane tells Alan to move out and he goes to live with his mother.
Charlie watches the news for the first time in years. The harsh reality motivates him to ask Alan for help. Alan introduces Charlie to ANGELA OAKHURST, a young therapist who also counsels Donna. Their sessions go slowly, but eventually Charlie is able to talk about his late wife and children. Alan reluctantly sends his mother back to Spain. Finding himself back in reality, Charlie begins to get suicidal thoughts and almost kills himself. He is arrested when he pulls an unloaded gun on a TAXI DRIVER. While the criminal charges are dropped, the Timpleman’s want Charlie hospitalized and made executors of his estate, but Alan, Angela, and Silverman fight to keep Charlie independent. The JUDGE is sympathetic, but the Timpleman’s lawyer, ABE FOSTAL, makes a show of having Ginger pull out her dead grandchildren’s photos which freaks Charlie out. The Judge puts Charlie in a mental hospital for 3 days of observation. While Angela reports Charlie could recover, the hospital recommends Charlie be committed for a year. The Timpleman’s realize Charlie deserves a chance and don’t force the commitment order. Charlie moves into a new apartment. Angela sets him up on a date with Donna. Alan drives home to his wife and kids on Charlie’s motor scooter.
Summary Criticism: The characters are all sympathetic and their mutual dilemmas compliment one another. Funny and tender moments balance each other. Ultimately however, the denouement isn’t focused and the story ends weakly.
Reign Over Me (2007) - imdb
Reign Over Me (2007) - wiki
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