But when "Reign Over Me" misfires, it careens out of control. Charlie's fits of rage finally explode into a near-suicidal confrontation in which he commits multiple felonies -- yet nearly everyone save Charlie's in-laws fight against his being committed to a mental health facility. Donald Sutherland shows up out of nowhere to play a judge who presides over a hearing in which it is made abundantly clear that Charlie has lost touch with reality -- a hearing attended by everyone from Alan to the landlady to the girl therapist to the crazy predatory dental patient -- and the judge makes a "ruling" that would probably get him removed from the bench. After two hours and a number of repetitive scenes, characters start mouthing cliches like "Thank you -- for everything," and, "Just come home, OK?" and we hear "Love, Reign O'er Me" as a signal for the credits to kick in.

But it's not the Who's version (which we heard earlier) at the end -- it's a cover version from Pearl Jam. Eddie Vedder doesn't hit any sour notes; he just can't hit the soaring notes.

Much like the film.