Ten Bucks MetaReview: Reign over Me

[18 Nov 2008 | Tuesday] 

Just finished watching Reign Over Me, the Adam Sandler/Don Cheadle film about a guy essentially dealing the sever loss and the dark places he goes because of said loss. It was a powerful piece through and through, and usually about now I'd sit and get overly introspective about my own life. Movies have always affected me, maybe more so than other people. I can't say that for certain. Maybe everyone gets it, maybe everyone feels the same way I do. I just know what I go through after seeing something like this. It seems like a lifetime ago, but I remember the fallout after seeing Eternal Sunshine for the Spotless Mind. I broke someone's heart after seeing that movie. It was a fucked up thing for me to do, but I couldn't help but feel compelled to be honest with that person. She loved me dearly, was devoted to me and in those times I was a bastard to her. You know who you are. I am and will eternally be sorry to you for what I put you through during our time together. I was immature and very selfish. -And yes I know that we weren't meant for one another (as exhibited by both of our present happy states) but I can't let that excuse my behavior then. That's not really what I was wanting to say with this blog though- The movie was good. If you're in the mood, I suggest renting it and seeing it for yourself. That being said, I guess I feel something odd right now. You see, I don't have a need to get all introspective at the moment. You see, the most prominent part of the movie, the section that might have had the most impact for me, didn't affect me at all. In a moment of clarity, Don Cheadle's character calls his wife and apologizes to her for not letting her in, for shutting her out of his life. He confides in her that he is going to try to communicate more, because he "doesn't want to be that guy". It a powerful moment, but for me, I didn't feel it. At the end of the day, that's what came as my moment of clarity. I'm doing things the right way. No secrets. No holding back. This is the way I should have always been. I'm sorry for mistakes of the past, but I'm glad that on some level I've learned and grown from them. That is all.