9. Adam Sandler Reign Over Me (2007)
Adam Sandler is probably to many about the lowest the common denominator can get. Its safe to say that hes not a serious actor, although he himself might attest to that. But when the charges levelled against him are Big Daddy, Little Nicky, The Longest Yard, Click, I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry (need I go on?) all thats left to say is: the prosecution rests. Now, maybe Im being too harsh; I actually dont mind Sandler in small to medium doses. But can you call him a serious actor, based on the evidence of his filmography to date? Thats why, upon sitting down to Reign Over Me, I was dubious. Id seen Punch Drunk Love, and I knew that he had
it in him (by
it I mean the ability to perform something with more depth than the proletarian fratboyishness that sky-rocketed him to fame) but I was sceptical that he could fully carry the weight of a character whod suffered true loss in the 9/11 terrorist attacks. But almost out of nowhere, Sandler brushed off my scepticism like rogue toast crumbs on his lapel, and for my money, completely smashed it out of the park with a performance that was as tender and heart-tugging as it was aggressive. Was it so good because of how little we expected? Maybe. I'm not saying this is the finest example of cinema ever produced, not by a long shot, but nevertheless; if Sandler took more roles like the in Reign Over Me, maybe hed have less trouble being taken seriously.