ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ

Reign Over Me is that most exotic of cinematic critters, the serious Adam Sandler movie. Punch Drunk Love proved that the fella can play it straight, but he goes much further here, crawling inside the head of a man whose family died in the 9/11 attacks. The heart of Mike Binder's quietly affecting film lies in the friendship that develops between Sandler and Don Cheadle, excellent as usual as a successful dentist who has somehow lost touch with his life.

The first time Cheadle runs into Sandler, his old roommate is entirely divorced from the real world, cruising aimlessly on a motor scooter and listening to 70s rock on his enormous headphones (the film's title is taken from The Who song). Sandler is suffering from the ultimate case of denial, refusing to acknowledge that he ever had a family, and losing his temper in spectacular fashion whenever they are mentioned. But gradually, the two men rekindle their college friendship, staying out to watch Mel Brooks movies and playing computer games, much to the bemusement of Cheadle's wife (Jada Pinkett Smith in a thankless stay-at-home mom role).

"WORTH ANYONE'S TIME"

As an attempt to tackle the human consequences of 9/11 and an examination of mental illness Reign Over Me is well worth anyone's time. The central performances are subtle and intelligent - Sandler especially is a knockout - and there are fun cameos from Liv Tyler and Saffron Burrows as, respectively, a therapist and a sex-crazed dentist-stalker. The film's only real fault is a tendency to sentimentalise the healing process. As so often in Hollywood, almost any agony can be cured with a big hug.

Reign Over Me is released in UK cinemas on Friday 20th April 2007.