"Reign over me" as a drama

Title-Reign over me
Written and directed by-Mike Binder
Genre-Drama


In the film “Reign over me”, the main character, Charlie Fineman, suffers from post traumatic stress disorder. His whole family died in the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center. The film focuses on Charlie’s condition and friendship with former college roommate, Alan Johnson. The serious subject manner of the film is why I label it as a drama.


While the movie does feature some comedy, I do not believe it was enough to qualify the movie as a comedy, in fact, the comedy only adds to the realism of the film since none of the comedy makes light of Charlie’s condition or the 9/11 attacks. The comedic lines seem like typical responses to average “ever day” speech and doesn’t seem forced. The movie offers few scenes of violence, and takes place during the year 2007, which was the year it was made.


In a drama I expect a story to be told in a serious manner. Most dramas have extensive dialogue and usually involve a character coming to terms with something, or how the world affects the characters. Unlike action movies, which involve the solving of problems through force, or comedies that present the solution to the conflict through humor, a drama will solve it through talking.


The subplot of the film deals with Alan’s marital problems. He feels that he is being emotionally suffocated by his wife and wishes to have some freedom. His time with Charlie helps him understand how easily his whole life could change and grows to appreciate the time he spends with his wife. Basically the two characters end up saving each other. Alan helps Charlie deal with his loss and Charlie restores Alan’s love of his wife and feeling of adventure.