I am Sam (New Line Platinum Series) Reviews

• A Rare Movie Experience

  
  By A3DE9GQDO6O6D1 on 2002-01-20
  From the first moment I AM SAM began, I realized I was in for a rare movie treat. As part of a movie class I was fortunate to recently preview I AM SAM and find now, several weeks later that I am still as enthusiastic about this film as I was when I first saw it.

  Sean Penn, and I cannot say enough about his performance, plays Sam, a mentally challenged adult with the mental capacity of a 7 year old. We first see him working at Starbucks while he puts out sugar packets in an obsessive manner, calling out orders over and over and endearing himself to customers in his charming Sam manner. Suddenly, Sam is called away and we watch him enter a hospital and witness the birth of his daughter. Elated and awestruck, Sam names the baby girl Lucy, after the Beatle song Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds. Unfortunately Lucy's mother isn't intersted in either Sam or Lucy and as they leave the hospital, with Lucy in Sam's arms, simply runs away from them. Ill prepared and ill equipped to raise a child, Sam somehow managaes to bring up Lucy with the help of a kindly and eccentric neighbor played to perfection by Dianne Weist. As the years go by, we see glimpses of Lucy growing up as she plays with Sam, as they read Green Eggs and Ham together before bedtime, as Sam buys shoes with Lucy aided by his friends who are also mentally challenged and finally when Lucy begins school. And while I know realistically that Sam being capable of raising Lucy mostly on his own till she reaches grade school might be unlikely, Sean Penn as Sam is so loving and good with Lucy, that I truly wanted to believe this could happen.

  While it isn't firmly established how Sam and Lucy manage to evade child welfare agencies all of this time, eventually these beauracratic agencies do become aware of Lucy's situation and challenge Sam's ability to care for her. Sam now must fight for Lucy as he never has had to do before. Confused and heartbroken, Sam initially finds a high powered lawyer played by Michelle Pfeiffer. But she wants no part of the case. Beset by a career which takes over her life, Michelle Pfeiffer's character has a sullen young son at home and little to say to her husband. Eventually, though, she does take the case, is almost shamed into it by other lawyers in her firm. But in a remarkable twist of fate and and while helping Sam, she learns a great deal from him about parenting and unconditional love. What happens to Sam and Lucy as they are separated and the case is argued in court are memorable scenes filled with tremendous poignancy and deep emotions. For after all, who is truly fit to be a parent. Is love enough? Who does make a good parent? And most of all, what is in the best interest of Sam's daughter, Lucy

  As an addition and complementing the tremendous perfomances of Sean Penn, Michelle Pfeiffer,Dianne Weist and Laura Dern Lucy played by Dakota Fanning, the movie inclues as background music many of the songs of the Beatles. And at various times the screenplay includes relevant lines and quotes which are fitting to the scenes. It was particualrly eerie watching this movie a few days after the death of George Harrison to hear Sam talk about the success of Harrison's song, "Here Comes the Sun," from the Abbey Road album. But what an appropriate comment I thought as the sun shined down on both Lucy and Sam as Sam ran around the soccer field with Lucy in his arms.

  I cannot praise this movie enough. While at times one couldn't help but think of the movies Rainman and Kramer vs. Kramer, I AM SAM stands on its own as being a truly wonderful movie. I fully expect that Sean Penn will be nominated for many awards for his magnificent performance. I certainly hope he is acknowledged for this, a performance of a lifetime. If not I am confident that viewers like myself will never forget Sean Penn as Sam or this finely drawn character.
  
  

• A manufactured tear-jerker.

  
  By A2198FZZMTJ38H on 2002-02-07
  "All you need is love." - John Lennon

  This famous quote serves as the focal point for the plot of "I Am Sam," one of the most manipulative tear-jerkers to come out of Hollywood in quite some time. The movie does everything it can to convince its audience that it's mentally handicapped protagonist is perfectly capable of taking care of his 7-year-old daughter because he loves her; of course, common sense says otherwise.

  Take Sam's daily events and lifestyle, for example. He works at a Starbucks Coffee establishment, where he makes eight dollars an hour serving beverages and arranging the table packets of sugar in order (strange, isn't it, that everyone in movies can afford nice apartments at [bad] jobs). The mother of his new daughter, Lucy, is a homeless woman who "only wanted a place to sleep." During Lucy's infant years, Sam must ask for advice countless times from his neighbor, who has her own doubts about his ability as a parent.

  The movie, of course, uses Sam's retardation as an excuse to apply its morals of love winning over all obstacles. When Lucy is taken away from him after his arrest for unknowingly conversing with a prostitute, he asks for the help of one of the town's top lawyers, Rita Harrison (Michelle Pfeiffer), who offers to take on the case pro bono in her attempt to prove her charitable side to her coworkers. In a series of courtroom showdowns and testimonies that squeeze all the support for Sam the story can get, we are given to accept that, as little Lucy exclaims, "all you need is love."

  But the opposing side of the courtroom (at least the side we're led to believe as the opposition), makes the better argument. They call into question Sam's ability to care for Lucy in her formative years, as she makes the transition to adulthood, while Rita and Sam spend their spare time concocting speeches about what a loving father he is, and how he can give his daughter the love that no one else can. Even still, this is countered with the question "If you really love your daughter as you say you do, then don't you believe that she deserves more?" I'm sorry to say that I agree.

  As the movie plods on along its merry way, things go from saccharine to sickeningly sweet. It introduces more characters into the story, including Lucy's foster parents; her foster mother, at first firm in her belief that Lucy deserves more than Sam can offer, end up relinguishing her position in favor of Sam attaining full custody once again. And Rita, whom we discover has a resentful son and a cheating husband, begins realizing her own faults and coming to terms with her own life as the movie plays tug-of-war with which storyline is more plausible.

  In addition to these faults, director Jessie Nelson milks the production cow for everything one could possibly get out of it. The flashy quick-cuts, as well as the constant movement of the usteady camera, doesn't do much for the movie, while the numerous covers of various Beatles songs become tiresome and morose.

  There are three bright spots in "I Am Sam," and they are Pfeiffer, Penn, and little Dakota Fanning. Pfeiffer makes what would otherwise be a calculated segue from cold to warm-hearted believable, while Penn is convincing as a mentally handicapped man who loves his daughter and would do anything to get her back. But the movie, as well as Sam, can't seem to come to grips with the reality of its situation, resorting to treacle and sentiment as a fallback.
  
  

• Amazing...

  
  By AO759ZMBXCAPF on 2001-12-09
  I was shown the film I am Sam in a class that i just finished down in LA. First off, the soundtrack is a definite must buy, as many recording artists cover beatles songs in a very tasteful manner. The film itself delivers high calibur performances from all of the leads and the supporting cast. I would be very surprised if sean penn doesn't get an acadamy award nomination. Michelle pfieffer was also very good in the film, as was laura dern. This movie went straight for the heart and it was able to balance the serious moments with some light hearted moments. The young actress who played lucy was amazing in the film as well. I recommend this to anyone who wants to see a movie that will make you think. Think about what it means to be a good parent, and about the strength and spirit of love and how it transcends any handicap that we are born with or that we inflict upon ourselves. I can't say enough great things about this movie, so go see it!
  
  

• DIABETICALLY SWEET SCHMALTZ, BUT VERY WELL DONE

  
  By A1L8HRCM60W0W7 on 2004-06-16
  "I am Sam" is replete with a jerky handheld finish, self-conscious art direction, the angst of the specially challenged, lots of opportunities to laugh and cry, terrific acting, and a marvelous Beatles-Plus soundtrack. The love that the entire cast and crew put into the project radiates from the scene and generates enough goodwill to forgive the occasionally languid pacing.

  Sean Penn's nomination was absolutely well-deserved, and Dakota Fleming does a great job of Sam's daughter. Some magnificent supporting turns by Laura Dern, Diane Wiest, Stanley DeSantis, and two actually mentally handicapped actors, help carry the somewhat airy/sappy script through some of its less credible moments.

  If you're a heartless scrimp by nature and want action in your movies, you may want to skip it, but everyone else should have a decent feel-good time with this stirring drama.
  
  

• "'Rainman' anyone?"or "Have You Ever Felt Manipulated?"

  
  By A3RQ0HAFEQG19I on 2002-02-21
  I know I'm going against just about everyone else who's written their opinions here (excluding that Amazon.com person), but...I found this film shamelessly tactless! Just because a movie can make you cry DOESN'T make it brilliant! I don't know where my unhapiness began with this film, but somewhere early on; very early on.

  Was it the herky-jerky camera movements(practically motion sickness inducing), attempting to convey a feeling of "real life" that made me dislike the film so? Was it the product placements (Starbuck's, Pizza Hut)that made the film, at times, seem like a VERY LONG commercial? Or was it that the film portrays people with mental disorders as being cute, quaint and funny? Or was it the annoying way "Sam's" daughter was so loveable and mature in dealing with her father's illness? It's so hard for me to tell, really, where my dislike for this film begins.

  But on a lighter note, I think Sean Penn is perhaps one of the very few great actors of the American cinema working today. I've liked almost (forget "Shanghai" and "Angels")everything I've seen him in, and he really puts his heart into this role. Unfortunately, he can't save himself from this saccharine mess. Michelle Pfeiffer almost rises above television-type melodrama, but the "tough girl turns soft" thing she does is tired, tired, tired. (I DO like the cover version by Aimee Mann and Michael Penn of "Two Of Us," by the way, but that doesn't really save the movie for me.)

  Some genius, perhaps the music director of the film, proposed the EXTREMELY risky idea of having popular artists cover Beatles' songs! How ingenious! Is it not common knowledge that just about anyone with ears likes the Beatles? I think that that idea alone completely lacks originality, and almost entirely sums up how I feel about this film.

  Please don't think me "cold-hearted" or malicious, because I don't think I am. Some of you should pop "The Bicycle Thief" or "Ponette"(for example)into your VCR/DVD player to get a taste of how to artfully and realistically portray sentimentality and pain, while portraying the thoughts and actions of children.

  I certainly am not the only person reading this right now who feels his emotions needs to be earned by the filmmaker, am I? This simply feels like a very well done made for tv movie of the week (or is that "movie FOR the weak"?). Regardless, I expected more from my movie-going experience. What was I thinking?
  
  

• Compassionate, Enlightening - Excellent Performances Galore
  By A7GT0WQKKDP0V on 2004-11-12
  It was the middle of the day and for some reason, I
  was compelled to sit down and watch "I am Sam."
  
  I have come to really respect the work of Sean Penn,
  so as a fellow actor I wanted to study his technique.
  
  An hour later my twelve-year-old daughter, Katherine,
  and I were both so deeply connected to the story
  and to the people's lives unfolding in the story that
  we were both holding each other and crying.
  
  I didn't know the subtitle of this film until I opened the
  CD case - "Love is all you need." This movie is
  a testimony to the power of love.
  
  Some reviewers found this movie
  "schmaltzy" - I didn't find it
  that way at all. I found the performances to be
  very honest and real. There is one scene where
  Rita finally "gets" Sam - and the wall separating
  them literally and figuratively come down.
  
  I have a brother with Down's Syndrome. His capabilities
  are nowhere near Sam's. "He is smarter in a different
  way" as Sam would tell us.
  
  I completely forgot I was watching Sean Penn in this
  movie. I forgot I was watching a movie. Instead
  I was there, beside the characters and inside the
  characters.
  
  Incredible performances by the supporting cast:
  Laura Dern, Dianne Wiest and Sam's support system
  friends were amazing - as were the Children's
  Services workers who were also so passionate
  about protecting the lives of the children they serve
  (I don't know the actors' names, but one is on West
  Wing and the other I have seen in many movies
  and television shows.)
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Great Group Of Talent 4.5 Stars
  By A37F1G84K35FCZ on 2002-02-11
  My expectations for this movie were based on the people shown in the trailers I had seen. I also was looking forward to Dakota Fanning, as Lucy, who has been nominated for a Screen Actors Guild Award for her performance. When she is on screen she owns it. This young lady is clearly precocious, articulate, and well ahead of the few birthdays she has celebrated. She also has blue eyes that would require special effects to make them any more remarkable. And she has a sister Elle Fanning who played a younger version of Lucy for a few moments on screen, together with 6 other very young versions of Lucy including 2 pair of twins.

  Sean Penn was brilliant as Sam. It took a few moments to adjust to him in this character as it is so far away from his usual screen persona, and his notable private life. However, when reading Dr. Seuss to his daughter his tough guy image is gone, Sean is Sam. His character is not a version of, "Rainman", where savant abilities provide a distraction to his difficulties. This character is buried by his mental shortcomings; there are no side trips to Vegas in this film.

  Michelle Pfeiffer is a bit short changed in the role she was given, what should have been classic courtroom drama never quite reached the level of the spectacular. He character was often interrupted, and when she finally is given her soliloquy, the audience has not been given enough background to empathize for her character as much as the performance asks of the audience. I know this is cliché, but Michelle Pfeiffer is stunning on screen, and seems to become more beautiful even as the years pass.

  Then the list of pleasant surprises begins with a parade of performances by noted actors and actresses that the audience was not expecting to see. Dianne Wiest is wonderful as Sam's neighbor and mentor. Laura Dern appears as the foster mother, but she and the story steer clear of the expected clichés. Doug Hutchinson who was in, "The Green Mile", as the guard you wanted to see executed repeatedly, appears here as a mentally challenged friend of Sam's. As odious a character as he was in the aforementioned movie, here he plays a man that is as likable as he was obnoxious as the prison guard. There is also a brief performance from Mary Steenburgen, and a cameo from Brent Spiner that you will miss if you blink.

  I cannot say what specifically kept this from being a 5 star film for me without giving away a portion of the film. The film, taken as a whole is excellent, even if it is not a movie that will be nominated, much less walk away with a pile of Academy Awards.
  
  

• Heavy-handed 'message' movie
  By AUDSM2CTLLW1Q on 2002-07-30
  Chicago Sun Times film critic Roger Ebert makes a very interesting point in movie reviews when he says the playing a mentally handicapped person is one of the easiest (and least impressive) acting jobs. Any role involving a handicapped person basically directs itself. It's not terribly hard for an actor to assume the mannerisms of a person with a disability. Yet, it often proves to be one of the most manipulative acting conventions out there. Audiences tend to get emotionally moved by actors in such roles without truly realizing that most of these actors bring little or no depth to the character they're playing. A classic movie where an actor played a mentally handicapped individual and was able to do so in a way that provided depth and genuine emotion was "Rain Man" with Dustin Hoffman in that role.
  
  Unfortunately, the movie "I Am Sam" does not provide that kind of depth of character in Sean Penn's portrayal of Sam Dawson, a handicapped person with the mental capacity of a 7-year old. Sam unwittingly got a homeless woman pregnant and, after the birth of his daughter, is left to raise the child by himself when the woman just runs away after delivery. It's quite possible that a touching movie could have been made out of this premise had the powers that be not decided that the messages of "handicapped people can be good parents" and "all you need is love" needed to be drilled home every 5 minutes. Almost anytime Sam is asked a question or forced to deal with something complex, he resorts to quoting Beatles' lyrics and lore. This seems to be the director's way heavy-handed way of showing the audience that all the answers to life can be found in the Beatles' music. Much more disconcerting than Sam's attempts to raise his daughter Lucy (as in 'in the Sky with Diamonds'... ha ha.. get it?), is Lucy's dialogue with Sam. She may well be very intelligent for her age (7 years), but some of her dialogue is uncomfortably grownup. Of all the children I have known in my life, I have never known a 7-year old who would spout comments like Lucy does. It's very clear that the directors put more adult dialogue in the script for her to recite in order for her to seem more intelligent and, I guess, providing a more 'touching' contrast with Sam.
  
  The rest of the movie surrounds a perfunctory court case where the state is trying to take Lucy away from Sam because they do not think he is a fit father. This, of course, brings out yuppie lawyer Michelle Pfeiffer (in her worst performance since "Scarface") agreeing to do this case pro-bono and, of course, learning from Sam the truly important lessons in life. The court scenes bring out every conceivable cliche' and melodramatic acting from Pfeiffer objecting to just about everything opposing counsel says to emotionally overwrought speaches by Sam, Pfeiffer's character, and a so-called 'expert' witness. The movie, itself, is quite insulting in its treatment of the subject matter and is aggravating in its insistence on reminding you that you're watching and important 'message' movie. Interestingly enough, the best acting performance in this movie comes from one of Sam's friends, Brad, who's portrayer, Brad Silverman, actually has Down Syndrome. His words and actions are very genuine, and the director would have been well advised to pattern Sean Penn's performance on how Brad carries himself in everyday life.
  
  This movie is terribly heavy-handed and manipulative. Unless you enjoy having your emotions manipulated, I would advise skipping this movie.
  
  
• One of the worst movies I've ever seen
  By on 2002-09-20
  This movie exploits common stereotypes about mentally challenged people rendering a stick figure world filled with simplifications, distortions and outright falsehoods about the reality of living with mental disabilities. The acting is horrid and the plot is downright stupid. The movie is also filled with cheesy gimmicks to engineer a compassionate, emotion-filled response from the audience that would have been avant garde for the 1950's. The ending, with a nauseating dance number with flowery music was simply worthy of a missile attack on the director/writers. This movie is ultimately empty of validity. This movie is a fraud. Rent it first before you buy it. I guarantee you will end up not buying it, or asking for your rental fee back.

  ...
  
  

• You will either go with your heart or your head on this film
  By A2NJO6YE954DBH on 2004-02-20
  How you end up feeling about "I Am Sam" is going to come down to which wins out, your heart or your head, because those two parts are not going to agree. In this 2001 film from director Jessie Nelson a mentally retarded man, Sam Dawson (Sean Penn) has to fight for custody of his bright 7-year-old daughter, Lucy Diamond Dawson (Dakota Fanning), with help from a cold-hearted lawyer, Rita Harrison (Michelle Pfeiffer). The state of California, represented by Richard Schiff as Turner, is concerned because Lucy is now smarter than her father and needs smarter parents (this seems a dangerous precedent to me, but you know what California law is like).

  This film knows how to manipulate the heartstrings big time, starting when young Lucy asks her daddy why he is different from the other daddies and refuses to read any book that her father cannot read. Then we get to the point where the System, in its infinite wisdom, takes the little girl away from her father. When that happens we do not hear her screams, just the music turned up load, which reminded me of the extreme pathos of that same scene in Chaplin's "The Kid," where not hearing Jackie Coogan scream for his dad did not matter. Meanwhile, there is the whole bit as Sam wears down super lawyer Rita and gets her to remember that family might be as important as work. In the beginning Rita is basically shamed into taking on Sam's case, but in the end she is emotionally involved in the case and the life of her client. All that matters is reuniting father and daughter.

  But the brain keeps asking some key questions about what is happening here. First, why did the State wait until this point to question Sam's parenting? The concern here is never about Lucy's safety with her father, but her desire to keep learning now that she is smarter than Sam. Second, if Lucy had been of average intelligence and not a cute little blonde kid if the State would have found her a wonderful foster home with Randy (Laura Dern) and her husband? I am inclined to think probably not. Third, why are the Department of Children and Family Services lawyers portrayed as villains? Every thing Turner says is true and he repeatedly makes it clear that his intention is the welfare of the child. He is talking practical realities and not abstract ideals.

  Twice in "I Am Sam" the film echoes the famous child custody film "Kramer vs. Kramer." The first time the moment sneaks up on the audience, as well as most of the characters, and it signals a reversal in Sam's fortunes. In fact, the next time I am reminded of the other film it again signals a reversal in Sam's fortunes, and that was the point at which the head shoved the heart aside and rendered its final verdict on this film. I was not all that impressed with the rabbit coming out of the hat the first time around, and even less so the second time.

  As for Penn's performance, I can see why he was nominated for an Academy Award given the propensity to give the Oscar to actors portraying handicapped individuals (Cliff Robertson in "Charly," Hoffman in "Rain Man," Geoffrey Rush in "Shine"). But I have to admit that such mannered performances next strike me as being as finally nuanced as other great acting performance. Still, he is good, and the scenes between him and Fanning sparkle.

  Half the film is scored to covers of Beatles songs by Sarah McLachlan, Eddie Vedder and others, which makes for an interesting soundtrack album. Ultimately, I decided to split the difference between the ranks given by the head and the heart on this one because I did enjoy it, even as I complained bitterly about all the problems I saw in "I Am Sam." I embrace my contradictions, even in print and for public consumption. You are lucky; I was about to launch into "Heart Five, Head Three" inspired by "A Chorus Line."
  
  

• . . . My brother has autism . . .
  By AJA7284SMHE0T on 2004-06-01
  This film is phenomenal. Let me tell you why, in the best way I know how:

  **Personal Preface: My brother Christopher has autism. He was diagnosed with autism when he was four, and is now twenty-four. In age, he is my older brother; in mentality I have been his older brother since I was 5.
  Growing up with Christopher has taught me many things about life-perspective and how some people see many things differently. I am deeply saddened by the other reviews here slandering the film on the grounds that "it takes much more than love to get a girl through adolescence, and anything else in life."
  The Greeks labeled three kinds of love, Eros: passionate or sensual love, Phileao: love shared between close friends and family, and Agape: A transcendent, selfless love that neither wavers nor grows dim. Unfortunately some people have never experienced all three of these types of love, nor do they know how to measure their efficacy.
  To my brother Christopher, all he does need is love, and literally as a high functioning person with autism, all he gives is love. It's all he knows. He loves life, cheeseburgers, music, church: simple things.
  As a certified assistant psychotherapist for the Lovaas firm of autism research, I also know that love, even as the popular definition as our culture knows it, is the most effective tool in helping both children and those with autism develop as functional human beings.
  My mother works with the career resource exchange in Colorado Springs. In her case load has more than 30 different people with mental disabilities that she helps on a bi-weekly basis. Even having an autistic child, she did not recognize Sean Penn until the movie was over. Here's the kicker, Sean Penn is her favorite actor. That is what kind of performance he gives.
  To both Roger Ebert, and the individual that quoted him: Ebert, everyone knew you as the bitter weird tub next to Siskel, grow up, and figure out that nobody like your pious pretension and aesthetic retardation. In response to the pessimistic young man who quoted R.E. Mystery Log: befriend someone with downs, or Aspurgers, and figure out how their minds work, how their hearts talk, and then critique movies that you know nothing about.

  ***Movie Review: Honestly Sean Penn's performance eclipses Dustin Hoffman's in Rain man, both for believability and accuracy. You know how the Academy Awards operate; he was being rewarded for this performance this year. Sean Penn's performance is nothing short of a cinematic miracle of epic proportions. His behaviorisms, tics, antics, voice inflection, deliveries, the list just goes on and on.
  Two of the four actors that played his friends actually had the disabilities they were portraying, making authenticity something not to be questioned.
  The film raises a series on controversial questions about guardianship and family; the most controversial here being how certain demanding vocations can corrode your life, and your relationship with your family. Michelle Pfeifer does an incredible job portraying the overworked mother, whose stresses at a six figure job causes dilapidations in her home life as well as work relations.
  The other amount of controversy can be attributed to the antagonizing of the state's District Attorney. In most cases the state does do its job of properly assessing the abilities of caretakers of those mentally disabled, but there have been many cases where the state was incapable of demonstrating these abilities. By no means does this movie mean to prove that this is unequivocally the lot of the courthouse, but it does illuminate infractions that are not unheard of in the courtroom.

  This film has made me cry every time I see it. I have seen it about eight times. I don't cry because I am sad, or because I am over emotional, or because I am happy that small voices are being heard, I cry because I see the characters going through the same struggles I go through in my life, and overcome them with love and things we often forget. This film is in my top 25 incredible movies list. Five stars, highest recommendations.
  
  

• "All you need is Love".
  By A1TMAVN4CEM8U8 on 2008-04-12
  I Am Sam DVD
  
  I Am Sam stars Sean Penn as a mentally challenged young man seeking custody of his daughter when it is obvious that he is not mentally capable of being a custodial parent. He bases his plea on the Beatles song "All you need is Love".
  
  Caution, a real tear jerker. Recommended for a mature audience.
  
  Gunner April, 2008
  
  
  
• IQ versus Love, there is no comparison.
  By A3HTKV1AW14EDB on 2002-02-27
  Hollywood gives us sentimentality at it's best and a true winner. Sam Dawson is an autistic man faced with raising his infant daughter on his own. Lucy is now 7 years old and was named after the Beatle song "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" which kicks off a soundtrack of cover Beatle songs that is worth a purchase on its own.

  Lucy becomes the center of a legal battle when Sam's ability to care for her becomes questionable, and she is removed to stay with a foster family. A "five hanky movie" from start to finish Sean Penn does the part justice like no other could. Dakota Fanning plays Lucy his precocious seven-year-old daughter with finesse beyond her age. This is Academy award material for certain and a great movie for the whole family. Kelsana 2/26/02
  
  

• Sean Penn Shines
  By A2AOZQ3WTNVVOK on 2002-10-28
  When I first began to watch this movie, I squirmed a lot mentally. However, I think that squirming had more to do with not being comfortable with mentally challenged people than the quality of the movie. This movie once again reminded me how much I admire people who work with the handicapped.

  Sean Penn does an outstanding job of portraying mentally challenged Sam Dawson. Sam has the intelligence of a 7-year-old, which means his 7-year-old daughter, the incredibly adorable Dakota Fanning playing Lucy Diamond Dawson, is rapidly passing him in intellectual capacity. As with many movies of this type, events happen that cause "The Authorities" to take Lucy away from Sam. Sam obtains a lawyer, Rita Harrison, played by Michelle Pfeiffer, to win his daughter back. Diane Wiest plays Annie, a concerned and intelligent neighbor with some bizarre mental problems of her own. Laura Dern plays Randy, a foster parent interested in adopting the adorable Lucy because clearly she and her husband can give Lucy a better home and life than Sam.

  Before I give you the critical comments, I want you to understand that I liked this movie. I thought it was uplifting and positive. Sean Penn did an outstanding job comparable to that of Leonardo DiCaprio in "What's Eating Gilbert Grape". Though I didn't care for all of the interpretations of The Beatles music, any movie which features Beatles music must have some merit.

  Okay, my less than positive comments: I thought Michelle Pfeiffer did a wonderful job. However, in places she was a little over the top. I thought one of her best moments was when she broke down with Sam, admitting that while Sam thought she was "perfect", she was anything but. I think that the director had a great actress and should have let her do her job, and not directed her the way he did, which led to places where she is unbelievable. Laura Dern was a serious disappointment. Laura has a lot of ability (see "Mask" as an example), but here the majority of her acting is providing these "looks" of disapproval or approval or whatever. Very annoying. Again, I credit the director with making less than maximum use of a very good actress. One last negative comment. When Sam got all dressed up for court with a suit provided to him by Rita, and then had him going to work at Starbucks, I knew immediately that he was going to get something all over the suit. Everybody watching the movie knew it too. The actors in the movie should have known it as well. If I had a court date and worked at Starbucks, I guarantee you the suit would have not been on until shortly before my court appearance. And somehow all of the "intelligent" people around Sam couldn't foresee and prevent this from happening. Makes me wonder who the mentally challenged person in the movie was.

  Some more positive comments: Dakota Fanning is a name we will be hearing more about in the future. An absolutely adorable little girl who was perfectly believable throughout the movie. The other mentally challenged characters in the movie were also believable. The Beatles music was well matched to the various scenes of the movie. The Beatles trivia was really interesting, and factual.

  I'm not sure what to say about the bobbling camera. There were places where it was used to try and give you a "real life" kind of feel. In a few places it was a little distracting. Eventually I got used to it as I became involved with the characters and the story.

  Conclusion: I would definitely watch the movie again, though not for a while. Not a "must buy" for me, though if you are into character stories, this movie could be a good one for your collection.
  
  

• Wow. This film is really bad.
  By on 2003-02-08
  As a brother to a mentally hadicapped individual and an employee of my city's social services department, I could not begin to point out all the misconceptions brought to light in this film.
  
  
• WHY NO OSCAR FOR PENN??!!
  By A1EGDRTJYF3AZK on 2004-07-16
  In my opinion, this is easily Sean Penn's best performance and he has had many great ones.I was just starting a nasty custody case when I saw this movie for the first time and I was moved in so many ways. I could watch this movie over and over again, the music (all Beatles covers) was done perfectly, and Penn's performance was done so well he had a certain innocence about him that was just heart wrenching at times because of how bad he was being treated by the system and he just kept doing what he thought was right and the one point in the movie when he was on the stand and sounded like he was making perfect sense and it ended up he was just quoting something he heard from someone else saying(other people's names included),it really makes you feel for him and you just wish that they would give him his daughter back. Eventually things turn out in his favor, which I wish would happen for me but unfortunatly, I live in the real world! GREAT MOVIE, GREAT PERFORMANCES,GREAT STORY, GREAT MUSIC, GREAT, GREAT, GREAT!!
  
  
• I Smell Oscar!
  By on 2002-01-11
  What an amazing movie! I am not a fan of Sean Penn's AT ALL, but i was totally captivated by his performance. All of the actors did a superb job: Michelle Pfeiffer truly stretched her range in her portrayal of a self-centered "typically L.A." lawyer, Dianne Weist created many undiscovered layers with her role as the godmother, Laura Dern played a convincing and, at first very unlikable suburban wife and newcomer Dakota was amazing as little Lucy. This was a talented cast in the hands of a brilliant director bringing to life an extremely creative script. This movie defines why people work in the film industry. Anyone with a dry eye at the end of this flick needs to reevaluate THEIR life!!!
  
  
• A well intentioned film plagued by poor execution
  By A1Y4YG58UEN3HJ on 2002-01-24
  I Am Sam tells the story about a mentally challenged father trying to raise a daughter all by himself, but when she turned 7 and began to exceed him intellectually, his ability to care for her comes into question by the social services. Now, with the help of an eccentric lawyer, he is fighting to regain the custody of his child or risk losing her forever.

  As you undoubtedly have read, Sean Penn gave a brilliant performance here, I'm not sure whether it's Oscar calibur or not, but he definitely gave it his best. Penn's portrayal of Sam was sweet and heartbreaking at the same time, without being overbearing or excessive, and that made the whole experience all the more believable. Michelle Pfeiffer also did a decent job as the obsessive compulsive lawyer Rita, a troubled mother and a frustrated wife, her own life is falling apart as she attempts to help Sam to rebuild his.

  Unfortunately, the other aspects of the movie doesn't work as well. The premise is a good one, but the film is overly manipulative and sentimental as it plays with the audiences' emotions. Furthermore, the film is about half an hour too long, many scenes seem to drag on endlessly without purpose. As a whole, I Am Sam just doesn't have the polish and effectiveness it strive to achieve. If you are a fan of this kind of drama, you probably won't be too disappointed, but if you don't like sappy movies, I suggest you stay away from it and watch something else instead.
  
  

• Great Sean Penn, as always
  By A29IYGR7SNPRIV on 2002-06-23
  Sean Penn, truly, has grown to become a splendid actor. His performance in this film is hugely affecting, very credible. Dakota Fanning (where on earth did they find this heavenly child?) is simply wonderful--achingly beautiful and scarily talented for such a young child. The drag on the film is the usually compelling Michelle Pfeiffer who phones this one in. She fails absolutely to inhabit the character of the driven lawyer who only takes on Sam's case in order to score points with her co-workers. For a woman as outrageously beautiful as Pfeiffer to deliver a (supposedly) gut-wrenching speech on her many flaws, she'd have had to bring a lot more to the table than she does. It's just not possible to buy her in this part (which is a pity, given her many other, wonderful performances--especially in The Fabulous Baker Boys). That said, Penn and the supporting cast carry this picture with such a depth of commitment that it's possible to ignore the fact that Pfeiffer is outperformed right off the screen. Yes, it's sentimental; yes, it's been done before. But not by Penn, who never fails to bring his all to each role he takes on. This is a feel-good movie with fine performances by Dianne Wiest, Laura Dern, Mary Steenburgen, and the rest of the cast.
  Recommended.
  
  
• Oh, PULEEEZE!
  By on 2002-07-01
  Whaddya kiddin' me? This film is so predictable, so self-congratulatory, so manipulative, it makes one wince. Now, I like cathartic films like the rest of us (who could forget the poignancy of "To Kill A Mockingbird," or the triumph of the spirit over the flesh in "The Elephant Man?"), but THIS one doesn't even come close. The problem is that "I Am Sam" is far too concerned about its look, its style, rather than its substance. This is like an overdose of saccharin in your Starbuck's--it become soooo sweet that the pleasure of the coffee is drowned out. Pfeiffer's performance is wonderful, and it's the only saving grace (if there is one) to this film. If gory, non-stop, over-the-top action (i.e. "Mean Guns")is what whets the appetite of the lowest common denominator action-film buff, then "I Am Sam" will do no less for the emotional side of these same Neanderthals who, for some reason, crave weepy sentimentality. After all, sentimentality and dopey cliches are all this truly terrible movie can offer. It tries-desperately- to be disguised as a high-minded look at the problems of the handicapped, and to focus on one man's triumph. But the cheap masquerade is over when the thoughtful viewer discerns that it is a maudlin tugging-at-the-heartstrings film that is trying--beging--to be taken seriously. This is as embarassing as watching a bad comic (who thinks he's funny) fail while he's on stage. Avoid this film at all costs.
  
  
• I feel stupid for having rented this.
  By A28FC8XFQ7NT1S on 2002-08-22
  This is by far one of the worst movies I have seen to date. Very predictable, and full of scenes with unrealistic dialog. Penns poor performance is only worsened by the unimaginative and bland screenwritting and direction of this movie. At times I had to wonder if the script itself was written by someone afflicted with "Sam's" mental disability. Complete fecal matter.
  
  
• I Learned Something Tonight
  By A3R9KRIO25CKZV on 2002-01-28
  I admit that I went to this movie in order to learn something. A dear friend of mine shares a home with a man like Sean Penn's character, and I wanted to see what people like this are like without having to personally meet one. I'm glad I went, and this is why:

  1) I learned that even though a grown man has the mind of a kindergartner, it doesn't mean said person can't learn, can't communicate, doesn't feel, or isn't human.

  2) I learned that even if people have higher IQs than that, it doesn't make them smarter or have more class.

  3) I already knew, but this film reemphasized, that no single parent, regardless of mental capacity, can raise their child without help; and that...

  4) Good friends, quirks and all, are worth their weight in gold.

  I would urge anybody to see this movie and learn those same lessons I did tonight at the theater.
  
  

• terrible tear jerker in the Patch Adams style
  By AF929U2N3LQPQ on 2002-01-29
  This movie is absolutely awful. It starts out pretty good but ends up preaching a sermon on the endless ability of love to overcome obstacles. I didn't see "The Majestic," but I'm sure that this film is about as bad as that one.

  I Am Sam is about a mentally handicapped father (Penn) and his struggle to regain custody of his adorable daughter from the state child welfare folks. (Any guesses on how this winds up?)

  Here's why you should save your money:

  1. It's terribly manipulative. I mean WE GET IT, one doesn't have to be Steven Hawking to be a good dad. The film didn't need to beat this into our heads with repetive, extended speeches.

  2. Too many Beatles cover songs. I love the Beatles, but every scene does not need to be punctuated by "Two of Us."

  3. Too many product placements -- Pizza Hut and Starbucks seemed like central characters. Same for that can of Tab.

  4. Endless cheesy hand-holding. Are we supposed to like Sam? Yes, so the director thought that this meant that Sam was supposed to have no flaws, but rather it's OTHER people (normal intelligence folks) that are the incompetent, dyfunctional parents. And why? Because they don't *LOVE* as freely as Sam!!! That's all we need, how silly of the rest of the world.
  
  

• Talent In Top Form, Or Exploitation Of The Heart?
  By AYG1U47VFZ165 on 2002-02-11
  Films that depict the life struggles of persons with mental or physical disabilities almost automatically tug on the heartstrings of any sensitive viewer. I AM SAM does no less, and it does so with the masterful talents of Sean Penn and Michelle Pfieffer and an amazingly talented little girl named Dakota Fanning (she has deep, incandescent blue eyes that evoke a talent far beyond her years).

  Sean Penn stars as Sam, a mentally-challenged Starbucks clerk who excitedly clings to the role of father when the homeless woman he gets pregnant skips out on him. Somehow (the movie never tells), he manages to display the skills to bring Lucy up to seven years old (when the narrative of the film swings into full play).

  The incredibly lovely Michelle Pfieffer does an admirable job pouring life into a vastly underwritten role. As a jetset lawyer, she's torn between her job, her role as a wife, and her role as a mother ... all of which she, arguably, is failing at. However, Ms. Pfeiffer manages to give her character, Rita Harrison, a sense of reality and a sense of history that lifts an otherwise secondary role into a more interesting person, one that the viewer wants to get to know. Sadly, the scenes of development with her husband and her son were either never written, never filmed, or left on the cutting room floor.

  Dakota Fanning, as Lucy, is simply marvelous. A true talent in the making, she manages to steal every scene she's in without a touch of mirth to her performance.

  Laura Dern pops up in the obligatory cameo-sized role, and, when her mother-wannabe sentiments forces her to face the bittersweet reality of choosing between breaks, the viewer feels her pain.

  All in all, I AM SAM is not a great picture, as it feels more like a big budget Lifetime or perhaps HBO-cable movie, but it's passable entertainment with some acting heavyweights showing their stuff.
  
  

• A movie with lots of heart...and no brains
  By A3HB5BTD9VHDS8 on 2002-04-20
  I understand the need to check ones sensible side at the door when going to some films, I don't expect everything to be realistic, that would be boring, why go to the movies if your going to see real life? If you are reading this then you know the premise; A retarded (mentally challenged) man fights to keep custody of his adorable daughter, short of sending men with hammers into the theater to smash people's fingers, I can't think of a more obvious tearjerker, so what's wrong with that? Nothing really, but my problems with this film are that it totally assumes the audience either A. Knows absolutely nothing about the mentally challenged and how they are treated, at work etc. B. Won't care because the performances are so darned good, which they are. I'm no expert but I used to drive people to and from there jobs who were much like Penns character, and this film as a far far cry from any semblance of reality. Sam has the mental capacity of a 7 year old, a randy 7 year old we can guess since he fathered a child, this is a problem because we cannot see he has any interest in sex, even the ever gorgeous Michelle Phiefer can't get his attention, sexually. We are also expected to believe that this man with a heart of gold forced or at least consented to having sex with this homeless women because "she needed a place to stay" sadly I am sure this happens all too often, but not this character, Sam would not have wanted to, or forced himself on this women sexually, it just wouldn't happen. The hospital sends him home with this baby based on the fact that he answered "yes" when a nurse says "are you responsible for this"? Good enough heres your baby, now go, like he was picking up a happy meal. This is all to set up a scene where he spins around in the street with said baby while Beatles music plays, I love the Beatles and I enjoyed most of the covers (they did not use the originals, I'm sure for financial reasons). A little of this is OK, but the suspension of disbelief here rivals Dumbo, honestly I would sooner believe an elephant flies then this man who barely makes minimum wage can support himself, provide daycare, Diane Wiest (who seems to be reprising her Jane Grearson role from Little man Tate, a much better film) provides care when the baby is too big to take to work at Starbucks, no I'm not kidding. There are all manor of silly, impossible things, example, he shops for diapers, diapers are expensive, did he just leave the baby at home? But it was funny to watch him fumble with the diapers. While in foster care Lucy, named for Lucy in the sky with Diamonds, repeatedly leaves the house and wonders with her adorable stuffed animal to the perfect song "Blackbird," wouldn't someone have locked the door or window after the first time? yes of course, but then we wouldn't have the cute jump cuts of sweet Lucy being carried back and forth in front of the 711. But, just like Dumbo, one could have brought a mop and bucket to this film, the tears have not flowed like that since Mrs. Jumbo was paroled, mad elephant indeed! One would have to be made of stone to not be moved by Penns spot on performance and the little girl was as good an actress as has ever been she had the thankless task of delivering lines like "Your not like other daddies...they don't take there kids to the park" without making anyone in the audience vomit, not one person hurled. Everyone else was perfect too, the group of his friends rivaled "Cookoo's Nest" and we never saw too many silly courtroom scenes, and there were very few cut out bad guy characters, the unfeeling social worker, the evil family wanting to adopt etc. this script took chances with everything except a semi believable plot. I was moved, but angered as well, with all the effort this film made, couldn't someone have written something halfway believable? Not since the star of "The Panic Room" appeared thirty some years ago has a little blond girl been more lovable and believable.....well....lovable anyway.
  
  
• Brilliant and Definitive Acting by Sean Penn
  By A7Y6AVS576M03 on 2002-06-28
  Sean Penn gives a very realistic performance in this film. The idea behind this film is compelling and has moments when it just reaches out to you and begs for some recognition of humanity which society has lost somewhere along the line. Your heart just goes out to this guy that Sean Penn creates on the screen. The subtle and thought provoking script bolsters these feelings with its deliberate progression delivering a cohesive story line that a fixated audience can follow. The well-constructed parallels between Penn and his attorney Michelle Pfeiffer are credibility told with equal subtlety. An impressive and surprising role was that of Laura Dern's who seems destined to give the audience the conventional performance of the pseudo holier-than-thou protective foster parent but comes to learn more about the motivations of Penn than does Pfeiffer. That part of the film was delicately played for an emotional impact and it certainly delivers one. Sean Penn deserves some credible recognition for his performance in this film that has been long overdue. He should have been given credible consideration for the Academy Award. Even better, he should have won! Sean Penn gave one of the best performances I have ever seen in a film. He was that character. You never really think that this is an actor for a single moment. Sean Penn was perfect. I was so much more moved watching him again on this DVD than when I saw this in the theater. Sean Penn and this film really moved me.
  
  
• I Know You Came Here Because You Think You Like This Film
  By A3DWXVGOE2XZIQ on 2002-07-05
  Usually folks don't like negative reviews......if you really like stories about underdogs, you will like this film. However, if you need some reality touchstones, there are simply too many Hollywood PR machine touches to the script.....it is just too far out and for me it destroyed any shred of credibility for the story. Sure Penn does his usual credible acting job, but the script is too far out.....keep it up Sean and you'll be like Hanks.....all the cute scripts for the no-brainers out there!
  
  
• What a piece ...
  By on 2003-02-20
  I went into this movie with a completely open mind. I am a big Sean Penn fan and have even learned to tolerate Michelle Pfeiffer. This movie is a [not what I expected]. I don't think that I have ever seen a movie which treated the viewer more like an idiot than this movie does. We are lead to believe that Sam has the intellect of a 7 year old but throughout the film he uses terms such as "harass", "constancy", among others, appropriately and with a certain level of sophistication. If you are really looking for a movie that undermines your intellect and treats you as the one that is intellectually challenged then this is the one for you. If not....skip the movie and get the soundtrack....the only worthwhile piece of this production.
  
  
• misguided and misleading
  By A3F0C0Q03J3O70 on 2003-04-20
  As the mother of a child with Down Syndrome I was really looking forward to seeing this movie. We hired a babysitter and went to the theatre and I had to walk out about 15 minutes into it. The acting of Sean Penn was so convincing that all it did was fill me with panic about what my little one's life will eventually be like. When it came out on video I rented it and watched it at home alone (where noone can see you cry) I just couldn't get past the fact that while no one doubted that Sam loved Lucy completely he was NOT capable of taking care of her as she needed to be. The acting was phenomenal by everyone involved but the simple truth that this movie didn't make clear is that love is NOT all you need. Little girls need security, safety, guidance and discipline as much as they need love. I wish "I Am Sam" had gone a little further into exploring the alternatives available for Sam and Lucy. I wish it had been less black and white, simplistic and politically correct. It would have made it a better movie, one worthy of the acting I saw on the screen.
  
  
• VERY POWERFUL EMOTIONS
  By A2I5406XT0H9VD on 2004-04-05
  Well, I have to give five stars to this extremely powerful, emotional and memorable film. The outstanding work of the cast, and specifically Sean Penn, made the rest of it not important. Set, music, costumes, camera took the the secondary place to the performance. All actors were great. I don't think Sean Penn was acting. I think he lived the role and the rest of the cast was not much behind. Bravo ladies and gentelmen working on this film. You deserve the applauds.
  
  

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