Rating: 
Summary: the best film in a long time
Review: Reading a particular review i felt compelled to write my own review to this film. I cannot comprehend how someone could dismiss such a wonderful piece of script. I am sam was the first movie i could actually say i could just relax and watch, without any distractions. The film has excellent pace, capturing your attention in every scene. The acting was brilliant and the soundtrack speaks for itself. The film is uplifting and manages to be humerous yet emotional at the same time. In today's era, a film that proves All you need is love has never been more appropriate!!!
Rating:
Summary: I Am Sam -- As realistic as they come. Must see film
Review: "I Am Sam," is surely a film not to be missed. Penn does a surprising, yet, outstanding job as Sam Dawson. Sam is a mentally challenged individual, who has the mind of a seven- year-old child. In this movie, Sam is out to prove he can raise his young daughter Lucy (Dakota Fanning) and be a good parent, despite his disability.Sean Penn's performance in "I Am Sam," reminded me very much of the performance Dustin Hoffman gave as Raymond, in the movie "Rain Man". Or, how about... Tom Hanks as Forrest Gump, in the movie "Forrest Gump". All movies listed above have relatively realistic depictions of "some" of the challenges faced by disabled individuals. How can I make such a statement? Answer. I myself have a disability. The entire cast did an outstanding job, but if I had to pick for "The One to Watch", in movies. It would have to be Dakota Fanning, "Lucy." This little actress will definitely be going places. "I Am Sam," Teaches us tolerance, understanding, compassion, and love. A must see film!
Rating: 
Summary: ISN'T THIS WHAT HOLLYWOOD'S ALL ABOUT?
Review: This is one of the rare times that the range of reviews on a movie caught my attention. As I read the cries of 'manipulation' and 'gross product placement' I began to wonder what inspires a person to hand over their hard earned pay and two hours of their life to a cinema.
When I walk into a theater, I hope that I have the opportunity to enjoy a story that holds my attention and my emotions (I do not believe in aliens yet I let myself enjoy the story of E.T.). We leave it up to Hollywood to take us away from where we are at the end of a long week, to makes us laugh or cry or, in this movie's case, both.
I have unending praise for the actors who gave excellent performances to pull you into this sometimes unrealistic story, they all but mended the flaws in the actual plot. This movie is an excellent way to spend a random evening.
And for those who cry foul at the Starbucks placements, I have a question. Is not the fact that the coffee shop IS A STARBUCKS, which you now find on every corner in America, the stab of reality you were begging for?!
Rating: 
Summary: Oh, PULEEEZE!
Review: 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.
Rating: 
Summary: Fantastic Actors -- Mediocre Storyline
Review: Sean Penn gives an award-winning performance (although both he and Russell Crowe were beaten out for best actor this year) as a retarded father of a 7 year old girl -- the result of an unlikely encounter with a homeless woman whom we never meet in the movie. Michelle Pfeiffer plays his pro bono attorney when the state finally decides (after seven years, mind you) that Sam is an unfit parent (for reasons that seem too trivial to be believable). Although the movie does hint that Sam had assistance from his neighbor in raising his daughter, the viewer later discovers that the "helpful neighbor" hasn't left her apartment building in more than two decades. Hmmm.... The movie also sort of hints that Sam's other mentally challenged buddies assisted him in rearing his daughter for seven years. I suppose that's possible... It would have been helpful if the movie had given its viewers a reason to believe that Sam was capable of raising a child from birth to age seven. It was hard to get past that point, but the rest of the movie helps... The movie's portrayal of the mentally challenged was neither insulting nor patronizing... I could easily see Sam and his friends leading productive lives without assistance. The movie was also realistic in its ending -- which is good, since it had an unrealistic (or at least doubtful) beginning. What the heck -- buy it. It's something to watch when the cable's out.
Rating:
Summary: Brilliant and Definitive Acting by Sean Penn
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: Unashamed Tearjerker Has Some Good Things Though
Review: "I Am Sam" belongs to a category of so-called "love-or-hate" movie because of its too sweet nature as a tearjerker, so I tried at first to concentrate on writing about what you see on the screen, but I failed. Sorry, but I know my personal opinion would be reduced to nothing in front of your sentiments if you are a kind of a person who gets a handkerchief ready by your side before you start watching this film. I know. Sean Penn is Sam, who is mentally-challenged, but has no trouble working at Starbucks Coffee, and he loves the Beatles so much that he memorizes many anecdotes of the Fab Four, and sometimes quotes them before his daughter Lucy (who is naturally named after the song "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds"). They are living happily until the authority decides to "protect" Lucy from her father, questioning his capacity as father. Through the courtroom scenes, with an accidental 'pro bono' help from lawyer Michelle Pfeiffer, Sam tries to take back his loved daughter. The best thing about this film is NOT, against your all expectations, Sean Penn's acting, which has nothing wrong with itself, though. As Roger Ebert rightly says, his bitter-sweet turn in Woody Allen's "Sweet and Lowdown" is better than this one, considering the depth and complicated portrait of the character peppered with very sweet arrogance. No, the best part of the movie comes from its soundtrack that consists of cover versions of the Beatles. Culled mainly from their works of later era (around and after "Sgt. Pepper" and "White Album"), the songs are perfect. But it is THE Beatles, so why not? (One of the interesting thing that "Two of Us" is played by Aimee Mann and Michael Penn, yes, Sean's brother.) The worst part is, probably as you all agree, the script that wanders from one type of clithe to another, without knowing where to stop. In fact, nothing rings true, after careful consideration. Pfeiffer's lawyer, always high-strung, has troubles with her kid, and her hubby is away from home, presumably having affair with someone else (but do you when your wife is this gorgeous Pfeiffer?) and so on and on. And about Sam -- this is the point -- he sometimes looks as if he is trying to blow up the case he possibly can win. And his friends for that matter. To make matters worse, new foster mather Laura Dern is NOT a cold-blooded monster who loves to beat the children. No, she really loves the girl Lucy, it is clear, and Sam knows it. So, why don't they think about the possibility of raising the kid TOGETHER? Or, how about an idea of joint custody? I don't know American legal system of today, but I know there's a way out. They should have included another Beatle song: "We Can Work it Out." Acting as a whole is, as I said, very good and convincing, and child actor Dakota Fanning is a real find. Because of her and the excellent soundtrack, I give one more star to this two-star vehicle for Penn, whose talent is undeniable though I firmly believe that this is not the way he should be given an Oscar.
Rating: 
Summary: Good Actors, Bad Film
Review: This film has some saving graces: decent performances by the suppoting cast, particularly the men in Sean Penn's support group, as well as Michelle Pfeiffer and Laura Dern and an adorable child actress playing Penn's daughter, and a charming title sequence. That said, this is a totally manipulative movie, with overacting by Sean Penn as the mentally challenged father trying to regain custody of his daughter. The plot is melodramatic and tugs at the audience's hearts strings in all the predictable ways. And the product placements - particularly Starbucks and Pizza Hut - are truly obnoxious. (Why can't Sean Penn work at an independent coffeehouse?)
Rating:
Summary: Best Comedy of the Year ?!?!?!?!?!?!
Review: I've been a Sean Penn fan since Bad Boys and he does a great job in this movie, but doesn't this seem like Forest Gump with a little more realism. Listen to the audio while Sean Penn is pushing his daughter on the swing. This was not needed to explain his disability. In many ways the movie seemed to play with his disability. Overall the movie can be given a 6 out of 10.
Rating:
Summary: Exquisite!!
Review: " I am Sam" is a movie which illustartes a story about a mentally affected father, Sam, played my Sean Penn who tries to get his daughter, Lucy, back. Amid his hearty efforts, he fails at first but then, with the aid of his solicitor, played by Michelle Pfeiffer, he regains his ability to carry on. What touched me, as it touched various other viewers, is how Sam, amid the fact that he has an IQ of a seven year old, tries to get his daughter back.Even though he barely comprehends what is actually happening, he vows to carry on. And at the end he eventually wins. Michelle Pfeiffer'S role was a bit epigrammatic though, as she appeared in thr movie, after half of it had passed. However, this did not take away the charm of the movie. The main message this movie vociferates is that how we , exempt such people from our daily lives. This movie is a must see for everyone.
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