The result is a series of scenes that cut far too early just as things are getting interesting – you are for ever asking how these scenes might have continued, but by then we are on to the next. Sandler gives his role his all, glazed eyed, looking slightly mad, breaking out into violence but even- tually talking about the subject (the death of his family) that he has been trying to avoid. It is pitch perfect. Cheadle gets the more difficult role of a calm, well-mannered man whose own non-communication problems (particularly with his wife, played by Jada Pinkett Smith) are less showy. He, too, turns in an excellent performance. This is a very human film but one that leaves rather too many questions unanswered and never gets to grips with the situations portrayed. Everything is finally wrapped up far too easily. Location shooting is excellent and all the supporting cast look right. But it is a film that only scratches the surface of its subject matter. The title, incidentally, is taken from The Who’s song Love, Reign o’er Me from their Quadrophenia album, played on the soundtrack and with the album prominent among Charlie’s vinyl collection. philkey@dailypost.co.uk | 
