Rating: 
Summary: WOW, what a movie!
Review: I never expected this kind of acting from Sean Penn. He was absolutely phenominal. I left that movie just feeling good. The character "Sam" makes you laugh and cry. I loved the film.
This is a must own movie.
Rating:
Summary: Very Heart Warming Story-Line
Review: Brief Synopsis: A mentally challenged man has a baby with a women. When they are coming down the stairs of the hospital after the birth of the child the girl tells Sam to hold the baby becuase she will be right back. She then disappears and Sam is left with a child. At his apartment the nicest lady helps care for the child. Then when Sam goes to school they find out that he shouldn't have been taking care of the girl. The girl then goes to a foster home. Then Sam gets visitations but he wants to have the girl all the time so he goes to court and he wins, so he can enjoy the rest of his life with her.
This story really touched me to respect mentally-challenged people more becuas ethey are capable of mostly everything we can do like raising children. I gave this story 5 stars becuase it is very touching. I recomend it to anyone who likes these feel good movies.
Rating: 
Summary: A classical example of "non-director" movie.
Review: I went to see this mostly because od S.Penn and I think he plays very cool, but using most of the acting-tools seen on similar roles before (f.e. L.diCaprio in What's Eating Gillbert Grape?).
Otherwise this movie was a huge disappointment for me, because nothing is actually belivable in it. Reasons for actions are plain, translucent and sometimes even weird. The story does not stick together, but gets dispersed also in the first, but really awful in the second part. The movies there gets to be a real dull experience that u forget about on the road home already. I know some people will talk about its great theme and how the love winns all and such sugar, but it has been done so many times and much more convincing then here.
Have to say at the end that M.Pfeiffers performance was better than expected. Still not great, but ok.
Rating:
Summary: A movie with lots of heart...and no brains
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: Can't wait for the DVD to review this!
Review: I AM SAM is Sean Penn's finest hour. This is one of those films that we attend because of the stars it contains, not because we think the story will be anything but maudlin. But I AM SAM is a terrifically well written, sensitive tale that avoids the goo of most films about characters living challenged lives. In the hands of Sean Penn, Sam is wholly believeable and his performance is easily the finest of last years' crop. But so is Michelle Pfeiffer's role. This in fact is a stunning cast, finely directed, that yes, makes you teary-eyed but for all the right reasons. You know, it really is OK to show your compassion for characters such as these. A soul cleansing, very fine film.
Rating: 
Summary: Superb acting
Review: I was just amazed at Sean Penn's acting in this movie. So much in fact that I was upset that he did not win the best actor oscar. I felt he deserved it. This is a very emotional movie. The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is because the ending kind of leaves you hanging. I won't say more so I won't spoil the movie for you. I also felt Michelle Pfieffer has played more convincing roles. Anyway, i loved the movie as a whole. The script is well done and it is not just a courtroom drama. This movie deals with a lot of modern day issues. The music goes along perfect with the movie as well.
Rating:
Summary: Sean Penn - Best Actor 2001 NOT Denzel!!!!
Review: Sean Penn is not my favorite actor. However, his performance in the title role was magnificent. One actually believed that Sean was Sam, an intellectually challenged man, doing his best to raise a wonderful littel girl. Lucy (Dakota Fanning) was outstanding!I Am Sam is a wonderful movie! A must own!
Rating: 
Summary: A socially conscious tearjerker
Review: "I Am Sam," directed by Jessie Nelson, tells the story of Sam (played by Sean Penn), a mentally retarded coffee shop employee who is raising his daughter Lucy (Dakota Fanning). A single parent, Sam gets support from neighbor Annie (Dianne Wiest). When Sam is threatened with loss of custody, in steps high-strung lawyer Rita (Michelle Pfeiffer). Yes, folks, it's an "issue" film complete with courtroom drama. "Sam" is elevated by some compelling performances. Penn is excellent in the title role. He doesn't sugar-coat Sam, and is not afraid to make the audience uncomfortable with some of Sam's issues. Young Fanning gives a remarkably mature and moving performance as the 6-year old who is already progressing intellectually beyond her father. The only performance that seemed a bit off was Pfeiffer's; I found her Rita to be a bit too shrill and overdone. "Sam" has some really moving and funny scenes. But there is also material that falls flat, in particular some courtroom scenes that struck me as too soap opera-ish. Furthermore, I found the basic setup of the film hard to believe; it seemed like we were expected to believe that Sam and Lucy had slipped through the social services cracks for 6 years. I spoke to my sister, who works as a professional with special-needs children and their families, and she agreed that "Sam" sounded a bit fishy. And the excessive product placement in the film was obnoxious; at times it felt like an infomercial! Despite its flaws, however, "Sam" will, I believe, appeal to fans of "issue" dramas.
Rating:
Summary: Good message but bad follow through
Review: I am fourteen years old. I can't say I have ever seen a film like this one before. I can't really compare it to any others. It was sweet, but a little slow. It seemed like the actors kept repeating their lines(not literally). I got a little bored in the middle. I think that this movie will recieve a wide range of reviews because different people like it more or less. After hearing Oprah talk about how great it was I thought I would definitely like it as well. You can't really go on other people's opinions. None the less, the actors and actresses did amazing work. "Lucy" was very talented as well as Sean Penn and Michelle in a different than usual role.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent--a movie worth seeing
Review: I remember the first time I saw I am Sam, it moved me to tears. It is one of those rare movies that at the end makes you want to be a better person. Sean Penn was excellent, and I must say that I was very dissapointed that he didn't win the oscar for which he deserved. So if you want to watch a great movie...this is one that I urge any one to rent.
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