Rating: 
Summary: Incredible Performances
Review: Sean Penn and Dakota Fanning are outstanding in their roles as Father and Daughter in this film. Michelle Pfeiffer does a good job as the attorney who comes to their rescue. But the script seemed more along the lines of a tv-movie of the week. Unfortunately, the script was just not that well-written. In spite of that, Sean Penn deserves his best actor nomination, his portrayl is perfect.
Rating: 
Summary: outstanding
Review: This has got to be one of the best movies I've seen in a long time. Its depth and sincerity almost seems to put all other films to shame, at least for me. It's about a mentally challenged father who is doing his best to raise his daughter Lucy when the mother takes off right after the child is born. No father can exceed Sam's love for his little girl, but there are other factors to consider when the extremely intelligent Lucy turns seven years old and starts to surpass her own father intellectually. You will be completely moved by Sam's efforts to get his daughter back. It's just a really sweet story that never stops working on the argumentation that love is all you need in life. This is the kind of movie that everyone needs to see because it has a message that everyone should hear. I will never forget this movie.
Rating:
Summary: The Best Movie in the whole world
Review: I am Sam is not another just another movie it's an awsome movie. My brothers who are 11 loved it and so did my mom who's 40. So it's great for all age's. Sean Penn(Sam) played an awsome handicape and Michelle Pfeiffer( Rita) played a [tough lawyer] I know it was probley a hard movie to make but i am glad they made that movie it toached not only my life but many life's throughout the world.I would give it a zillion stars if possible
Rating:
Summary: Best Movie Ever
Review: I am Sam is the best movie I have ever seen. Sean Penn played a breathtaking handicapped and Michelle Pfeiffer was a kick-butt loyer. I Loved the movie those two did well made it feel like you were really there
Rating:
Summary: superb acting by Penn, with a little schmaltz
Review: I am a professor of special education, with 25 years of experience in working with adults with mental retardation. I had some trepidation in seeing this movie, however it was recommended by a film making friend of mine.
I was surprised with the depth of Penn's acting; if I didn't know that it was Penn, I would have been convinced that it was one of my many clients (adults with mental retardation). His acting is masterful and respectful.
I did, however, find two flaws in Penn's performance. He says two different things that an actual person with mental retardation would probably never say: one was a sophisticated word, the other a very abstract comment (he tells his attorney that she should leave her husband - that's two layers of abstract thought: talking about someone that's not there, and talking about someone that you have never met that's not there).
I was disappointed that the movie is overly Hollywood and sentimental, but it does what it does well.
If you are familar with the Oscar winning documentary "The Best Boy" (1979, Ira Wohl) you'll see that Penn was tremendously influenced by Philly (and Penn has discussed this influence).
I'm taking my students to see the movie next week.
It's great to see people with special needs being treated respectfully by the media, and not just another show-and-tell.
Rating:
Summary: Awesome, Terrific, Great, Splendid, Stupendous, Magnificent
Review: All the words above describe this movie and more. I am going to buy it as soon as it comes out on video. This movie tells the very realistic story of an autistic father's struggle to maintain custody of his daughter. I have a mentally retarded sister who has Down's syndrome so I know what these people are like. Kind, generous, and trusting. Sam (Sean Penn) is left by the mother of his child who says she only wanted a place to sleep, not a child. Therefore, taking advantage of Sam by having him believe that he loved him and also by leaving him with the child. Sam does a terrific job raising Lucy (his daughter) through her childhood and up to her first years at school. People don't seem to understand Sam. For instance; the following situation. Sam amazingly organizes a surprise party for his daughter and invites all of her friends. When Lucy is coming Sam tells one of the kids to stop playing and get ready to yell "surprise!" When Sam tries to innocently move the child (not with harm) he finds himself being pushed by the kid's father and on the floor when Lucy walks in. This does not look good for a social services director that happens to walk by. Lucy is then tooken by the state and placed in an orphanage where soon enough a family wants to adopt her. Sam hires an expensive lawyer (Michelle Pfeiffer) that agrees to work with him "pro-bono" to help get his daughter back. No one can love Lucy the way Sam does. For those of you who don't know, autistic people are very schedule-oriented. They like to have everything done on time and in the right order for the right day. This movie is proof that love shall overcome natural tendencies as Sam must step out of his norm as doing some things different is the only way he can get Lucy back. A great movie about love and care that's not in the sense of romance. A must see! I would recommend this movie to anyone.
Rating:
Summary: Is love enough when it comes to raising children?
Review: Nobody questions Sam's (Sean Penn) love for his daughter Lucy (Dakota Fanning). There are, though, very realistic concerns that he may be unable to handle the responsibility. Sam's IQ is that of a seven year old and Lucy will be eight on her next birthday. Lucy is obviously very bright, but already fears to intellectually
outgrow her father. Therefore, the state authorities think they must act quickly. Rita (Michelle Pfeiffer) is a yuppie attorney who decides to waive her normal fees. She initially is not sure what is the right thing to do. Should Rita merely perform her normal function as the adversarial representative of her client? Is she possibly allowing herself to be drawn too deeply into their troubles? After all, Rita is not exactly doing well with her own son and adulterous husband. We view the social workers interviewing the family to evaluate both its strengths and weaknesses. The court room exchanges are riveting. Richard Schiff splendidly portrays Turner, the State attorney with the obligation to solely look out for the best interest of the child. Turner is not a cruel man, but seriously doubts Sam's ability to adequately care for Lucy. He is compelled to ask the tough questions that cannot be avoided in such circumstances. Matters later get more complicated as Randy (Laura Dern) becomes Lucy's court appointed foster mother. Will she eventually take over full custody? Is there some way that Rita can persuade the court of Sam's minimal competence? Does it seem that Director Jessie Nelson is pandering to our emotions? The answer is in the affirmative. I also thought that the story line was confusing at times. Nonetheless, there's enough meat here to justify seeing this film. "I am Sam" is not a five star production, but it earns a strong four. Sean Penn is magnificent in this very difficult role. This might be the best performance of his illustrious career.
Rating: 
Summary: Mister RainMom
Review: This film intends to tug at your heartstrings as a mentally retarded father loses his daughter because of his disability. He charms a powerful female attorney into assisting him in getting his daughter back. She reluctantly accepts and her worst concerns are realized, her worst enemy in the courtroom is the person she is defending. Through his simple, honest conversation, she comes to terms with her own life. Sean Penn (FAST TIMES AT RIDGEMONT HIGH) aggressively plays Sam and the results are admirable, but his doesn't seem to be the most original or even accurate portrayal of a retarded man. It is especially evident when he is with his group of friends, all of various stages of mental retardation. Michelle Pfeiffer (FABULOUS BAKER BOYS) plays the career mom. Her performance begins very strained but she wins a greater character arc than the title character. The film is shot with shaky hand held camera work contrasted by sharp, slick lighting. This might be to parallel the shaky world of Sam with the slick, expensive world of his attorney. Even if that is the case, the shaky camerawork is a bit annoying. The screenplay is pretty unspectacular and many of the elements, especially in the courtroom, would be overturned. The film ends with a Deus de Machina, a happy ending from nowhere. Not a tremendous film and certainly a manipulative and sympathetic one, I AM SAM is good for a one time view.
Rating:
Summary: are you open enough to hear a message?
Review: I wasn't too sure of what this movie was going to be about, other than a mentally challenged father trying to get sole custody of his child. Be aware that this movie is set up like a documentary type of feel. Sean Penn deserves something for his role as "Sam" because he acts handicapped really well. I laughed with this movie...not at mentally challenged but because if you LISTEN, you'll realize that as 'simple' as people make them out to be...they are truthful in what they say. This movie is about justice, friendship, father/daughter relationship and most of all love. This movie perhaps isn't for everyone (though it should be) but I'll rate is a 4. And if anything rent it when it comes out for rental, if you are open for a message!
Rating:
Summary: I am am
Review: Real good acting and i like it that it had real slow mental capacity people acting in which they did a super job!
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