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I Am Sam (2001)
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Overview
User Rating:
Release Date:
25 January 2002 (USA) moreTagline:
love is all you needPlot:
A mentally retarded man fights for custody of his 7-year-old daughter, and in the process teaches his cold-hearted lawyer the value of love and family. full summary | full synopsisAwards:
Nominated for Oscar. Another 8 wins & 9 nominations moreNewsDesk:
(48 articles)
Top 50 Hottest Young Actresses - Top 30 (From The Movie Fanatic. 4 July 2009, 12:06 AM, PDT)
Top 50 Hottest Young Actresses - Top 30
(From The Movie Fanatic. 4 July 2009, 12:06 AM, PDT)
User Comments:
Mentally challenged single dad fights to care for daughter more (395 total)Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only)| Sean Penn | ... | Sam Dawson | |
| Michelle Pfeiffer | ... | Rita Harrison Williams | |
| Dakota Fanning | ... | Lucy Diamond Dawson | |
| Dianne Wiest | ... | Annie Cassell | |
| Loretta Devine | ... | Margaret Calgrove | |
| Richard Schiff | ... | Mr. Turner | |
| Laura Dern | ... | Randy Carpenter | |
| Brad Silverman | ... | Brad (as Brad Allan Silverman) | |
| Joseph Rosenberg | ... | Joe | |
| Stanley DeSantis | ... | Robert | |
| Doug Hutchison | ... | Ifty | |
| Rosalind Chao | ... | Lily | |
| Ken Jenkins | ... | Judge Philip McNeily | |
| Wendy Phillips | ... | Miss Wright | |
| Mason Lucero | ... | Conner Rhodes |
Additional Details
MPAA:
Rated PG-13 for language.Parents Guide:
View content advisory for parentsRuntime:
132 minCountry:
USALanguage:
EnglishColor:
ColorAspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 moreCertification:
Iceland:L | Malaysia:U | USA:PG-13 (certificate #38443) | New Zealand:M | Norway:11 (DVD rating) | Portugal:M/12 | Argentina:13 | Australia:M | Brazil:Livre | Finland:S | France:U | Germany:6 | Hong Kong:IIA | Netherlands:AL | Peru:14 | Philippines:G | Singapore:PG | South Korea:12 | Spain:7 | Sweden:7 | Switzerland:10 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:10 (canton of Vaud) | Switzerland:12 (canton of the Grisons) | UK:12Fun Stuff
Trivia:
The scene where Sam, Lucy, and Sam's friends are walking across the street with the balloons is a tribute to famous photograph of The Beatles crossing the street from the cover of "Abbey Road". moreGoofs:
Factual errors: Credits list "starbucks barrister" instead of "barista". moreSoundtrack:
In a Swingin' Mood moreFAQ
I am confused by the ending. Who wins custody of Lucy?more
more (395 total)
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Sean Penn as a devoted father (Sam) who despite mental challenges, fights for the right to raise his child is convincing in a complete departure from his usual "bad guy" characters. Michelle Pfeiffer plays his reluctant "pro bono" elite lawyer, who eventually puts 110% into this case.
The love between Sam and his 7 year old daughter is evident in many sweet scenes (got Kleenex?), best described by a reclusive neighbor (wonderfully played by Dianne Wiest), who overcomes her hermit-like condition long enough to testify in Sam's behalf. Even the social workers who insisted on doing everything to "help the child" appear to be fighting emotions over this unusual case. The "support system", which includes several equally challenged "buddies", a very supportive employer, and many other people in the community gives evidence of our changing society, fostering inclusion and tolerance. Eventually even the prospective adoptive parents of Sam's daughter can't go on fighting against this exemplary father.
The girl playing Sam's daughter appears to be "gifted", at age 7 reading middle school material. Perhaps the "difference" between father & daughter's intelligence did not have to be in such an obvious extreme. The implication of a romantic involvement between Sam and his lawyer could have been avoided as well. The former is stretching it, but the latter is going too far. One can suspend her/his disbelief only so much! Since there are no "perfect" movies, I still consider this one pretty darn close! Highly recommended.