1. Reign Over Me (2007)
Many will have forgotten the murmurs - overwhelmingly optimistic that they were - that Adam Sandler would receive an Academy Award nomination for his stellar work in Mike Binder's outstanding drama
Reign Over Me. Though that expectedly did not come to fruition, it stands easily as Sandler's strongest performance to date, and absolute proof that with a tight script, strong direction and great supporting work, he can deliver a performance truly worthy of awards attention. Sandler plays Charlie Fineman, who in the wake of losing his family in 9/11, is a depressed, lonely shadow of his former self. Don Cheadle plays Dr Alan Johnson, an old friend with whom he reconnects after a chance meeting, and together, they try to help Charlie find some meaning in his life and move on from the senseless tragedy that claimed his wife and children. Enormously affecting beyond any and all expectation, Sandler delivered a gut-punch of a performance that demonstrates his ability to rein in his usual demeanour when he needs to, while the moving narrative bats away most accusations that the film is merely cashing in on a national tragedy. We can only hope that Sandler might return to this sort of work one day, because it's easily his most rewarding to watch. Do you agree? Are there any we missed? Give us your feedback below.