Loading. He is a short, unidentified Dr. Seuss creature. Verified reviews are considered more trustworthy by fellow moviegoers. Soon, the authorities become interested of their family unit, and deem Sam unfit to be a father which Sam fights in court, aided by lawyer Rita Harrison (Michelle Pfeiffer). "I Am Sam" is aimed at audiences who will relate to the heart-tugging relationship between Sam and Lucy (and young Dakota Fanning does a convincing job as the bright daughter). and the He was a god damn war hero, do you know any retarded war hero's? Stay up-to-date on all the latest Rotten Tomatoes news! Fast forward a few years, and Lucy is in her teens, which Sam and his tight-knit social circles most of whom have some form of developmental disability or mental health issue are likely unprepared to deal with. The soundtrack was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Compilation Soundtrack Album for a Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media. "[10], Kevin Thomas of the Los Angeles Times reviewed it positively as a "most inviting and accessible film that turns upon a mental condition that most people would prefer not to think about. Eventually Lucy decides to stop learning so she won't get ahead of her dad. At one point he turns scornfully to the Pfeiffer character and says, "This is an anecdote for you at some luncheon, but I'm here every day, You're out the door, but you know who I see come back? Sam loves his daughter more than anyone else, and she loves him, but it will take more than love for him to see her through grade school and adolescence and out into the world. Dakota Fanning. I am Sam 2001 [ ] 7 Winner. Roger Ebert was the film critic of the Chicago Sun-Times from 1967 until his death in 2013. the Terms and Policies, and to receive email from Rotten Tomatoes. Common Sense Media. Common Sense is the nation's leading nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of all kids and families by providing the trustworthy information, education, and independent voice they need to thrive in the 21st century. The real miracle of the movie, though, is young Fanning, who gives a performance of such sincerity, subtlety, and delicacy that she almost carries the entire movie herself. I Am Sam. "I am Sam" is a movie about a single father whose developmental disabilities make it hard for him to raise a 7-year old daughter. I am Sam ( Korean : ; RR : A-i Em Saem) is a 2007 South Korean television series starring Yang Dong-geun, Park Min-young, Park Jun-gyu, Son Tae-young, and Choi Seung-hyun in his acting debut. Depending on the type of parent you are and what kind of children you are trying to raise, this movie does a great job NOT sugarcoating what its really like. Download. [9] Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times wrote that "every device of the movie's art is designed to convince us Lucy must stay with Sam, but common sense makes it impossible to go the distance with the premise. Starbucks is prominently featured as Sam's workplace, and many other products and retailers are identified. Powerful Stories About Martin Luther King Jr. Sam convinces high-priced lawyer Rita to take his case pro bono and in turn teaches her the value of love and family. Autistic, sho'. He has a daughter with a. The site's consensus reads: "Not only does the manipulative I Am Sam oversimplify a complex issue, it drowns it in treacle. Special Achievement Award. Hey, it's the first time in history that a man has been arrested on sex charges for talking to a woman in a diner before any clothes have come off, money has changed hands, or services have been discussed. Can Sam adequately care for Lucy? ", "One man's extraordinary fight to save the family he loved. In 1993, Samuel Dawson, a Starbucks barista with an intellectual disability, becomes the single father of Lucy Diamond Dawson, named after The Beatles song "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds", following their abandonment by her mother, a homeless woman with whom Sam had a sexual encounter. What problems are they likely to have as she gets older? Moving but unrealistic film has mature themes, profanity. In The Washington Post, Special Olympics Chief Executive Officer Timothy Shriver also praised Sam's portrayal as someone who is able to enjoy life and fight what he recognizes as a clear injustice. I Am Sam (stylized i am sam) is a 2001 American drama film co-written and directed by Jessie Nelson, and starring Sean Penn as a father with an intellectual disability, Dakota Fanning as his bright and inquisitive daughter, and Michelle Pfeiffer as his lawyer. The movie climaxes in a series of courtroom scenes, which follow the time-honored formulas for such scenes, with the intriguing difference that this time the evil prosecutor (Richard Schiff) seems to be making good sense. Sam-I-Am is the main protagonist in Dr. Seuss' story Green Eggs and Ham and a supporting character in the second season of The Wubbulous World of Dr. Seuss. Movie Info "I Am Sam" is the compelling story of Sam Dawson (Sean Penn), a mentally-challenged father raising his daughter Lucy (Dakota Fanning) with the help of a unique group of friends. As the movie makes abundantly clear, the cards are massively stacked against someone like Sam in a situation like this, so a happy ending like this might come across as a bitHollywood-y. You can't have heroes and villains when the wrong side is making the best sense. This is what the world needs right now. He faces a number of issues throughout the movie, but the main hardship is to gain custody of his daughter. Im truly surprised that a couple of parents left reviews that they thought theres too much bad language especially those with teenagers. Sam Dawson (Sean Penn), a mentally challenged man with a mind of a child, is living in Los Angeles and is single-handedly raising his daughter Lucy (Dakota Fanning), whom he fathered from a homeless woman who wanted nothing to do with Lucy and left him the day of her birth. Penn's brother, Michael Penn, is also featured on a duet with his wife Aimee Mann. This is where the movie fails. Back at the station, the cop admits, "This is the first time in 19 years I actually believe a guy who says he didn't know she was a hooker." They subsequently cast two actors with disabilities, Brad Silverman and Joe Rosenberg, in key roles. , and to receive email from Rotten Tomatoes. Sean Penn. See our. Another reviewer said the topics and a couple of scenes might be too harsh for small children. But as Lucy grows up, Sam's limitations as a parent start to become a problem and the authorities take her away. Golden Satellite Award. Regal In the process, Sam teaches her a great deal about love and whether it's really all needed. What did Rita learn from Sam, and why was it only Sam who could teach it to her? This movie does not use too much swearing just a couple of F words. Sam convinces high-priced lawyer Rita to take his case pro bono and in . The film received polarized reviews from critics and audiences. This movie has flaws, but this movie touched me. "I Am Sam" stars Sean Penn as Lucy's dad, Sam, who has the IQ of a 7-year-old but is trying to raise the daughter he fathered with a homeless woman. Sam Dawson (Sean Penn), a mentally challenged man with a mind of a child, is living in Los Angeles and is single-handedly raising his daughter Lucy (Dakota Fanning), whom he fathered from a homeless woman who wanted nothing to do with Lucy and left him the day of her birth. The movie was released in 2001, and it garnered a lot of acclaim for its portrayal of the developmentally challenged members of the society. Randy assures him that she will tell the judge he is the best parent for Lucy. She's a bright kid and figures out the answer herself, and when a classmate at grade school asks, "Why does your father act like a retard?" Terms and Policies Your AMC Ticket Confirmation# can be found in your order confirmation email. suggesting a diversity update. ", "When someone does you a big favor, don't pay it back Pay It Forward", "History is made by those who break the rules.". All rights reserved. He has a daughter with a homeless woman; she. He named his daughter after "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds," and has learned most of life's lessons from Beatles songs. Counted toothpicks, cheated cards. A mentally handicapped 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. [6] Audiences surveyed by CinemaScore gave the film a grade "A" on scale of A to F.[7], A. O. Scott of the New York Times wrote that "I Am Sam is not a bad movie, and its intentions are unimpeachable. PG-13 2 hr 12 min Jan 25th, 2002 Drama. But by making anyone who thinks that maybe a child needs more than a mentally challenged parent can provide look like a monster, they turn the characters into cardboard. "I Am Sam" tells the story of Sam Dawson ( Sean Penn ), a man with unspecified developmental disabilities who unexpectedly becomes the father of a baby girl, Lucy Diamond (Dakota Fanning). At the trial, due to pressure from the prosecutor, Sam breaks down after becoming convinced he is not capable of raising Lucy. By the end of the movie, you see that Rita has clearly divorced her cheating husband, and regained her self-confidence in her personal life. Sam (Penn, in an Oscar-nominated role), a neurodivergent man, has a daughter with a homeless woman who abandons them when they leave the hospital, leaving Sam to raise Lucy (Fanning) on his own. Coming Soon, Regal Let's take a closer look at the ending of "I Am Sam.". This includes encouraging her to leave her philandering husband and repair her fractious relationship with her son. The implication here, of course, seems to be that of a "happily ever after" scenario, but it's worth noting that this is also a very handy moment for a movie to fade to black. We wont be able to verify your ticket today, but its great to know for the future. We search near and far for original movie trailer from all decades. A mentally challenged man seeks custody of his daughter when the state tries to place her in a foster home. Privacy Policy For example, he's sitting in a diner when an attractive young woman smiles at him. Sam Dawson has the mental capacity of a 7-year-old and works at a Starbucks. Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. In turn, she gets Sam through his worst moments after Lucy is taken away from him. Views 606. In 1975, he won the Pulitzer Prize for distinguished criticism. ", "The funniest, sexiest midlife crisis in movie history. When Family Protective Services try to take Lucy away, Sam gets intense lawyer Rita Harrison (Michelle Pfeiffer) to help him. He has a daughter whose homeless mother has abandoned them both. Topic Cover :-I Am Sam Full Movie Fact, I Am Sam Full Movie Cast, I Am Sam Full Movie Starring, I Am Sam Movie Some Details, I Am Sam Moviegradz Studioz Fa. I Am Sam 2:17 Watch Now 2:17 I Am Sam Awards 2002 - Critics'. Credits list "starbucks barrister" instead of "barista". It has become apparent that Lucy surpassed her father in intelligence, and she is struggling to cope with classmates and friends making fun of Sam. With help from his group of friends and acquaintances, Sam does his best to be a father for Lucy, but she eventually starts surpassing his mental abilities, which she tries to hide in fear of outgrowing her father. He some how raises her with help from a neighbor, played by Diane Wiest. She was also nominated for the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role. He says he sure would. The movie sets up the Department of Children and Family Services and its attorney as the villains when they take Lucy away from Sam and try to place her with a foster family. By creating an account, you agree to the Retarded, maybe. This is not quite strictly true. Sam's way to see the life in a very different way wins her over, and she starts representing him free of charge. Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a foster home movie history,. Movie does not use too much swearing just a couple of parents reviews. 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