I Am Sam

Rating:
Summary: Uplifting and heartwarming
Review: Never mind that I cried (tears of joy and sadness) throughout most of the movie, it was one of the best movies I've seen in a long time. Truly a tribute to the power of love and the triumph of the human spirit. I thought the movie presented mentally retarded and autistic people in a very positive light as well. They made us laugh and cry, but they were the backbone of Sam's life, and helped him through even the difficult times. The acting was superb - Sean Penn was phenomenal!!!!! GO SEE IT!!!!!

Rating:
Summary: A well intentioned film plagued by poor execution
Review: I Am Sam tells the story about a mentally challenged father trying to raise a daughter all by himself, but when she turned 7 and began to exceed him intellectually, his ability to care for her comes into question by the social services. Now, with the help of an eccentric lawyer, he is fighting to regain the custody of his child or risk losing her forever.

As you undoubtedly have read, Sean Penn gave a brilliant performance here, I'm not sure whether it's Oscar calibur or not, but he definitely gave it his best. Penn's portrayal of Sam was sweet and heartbreaking at the same time, without being overbearing or excessive, and that made the whole experience all the more believable. Michelle Pfeiffer also did a decent job as the obsessive compulsive lawyer Rita, a troubled mother and a frustrated wife, her own life is falling apart as she attempts to help Sam to rebuild his.

Unfortunately, the other aspects of the movie doesn't work as well. The premise is a good one, but the film is overly manipulative and sentimental as it plays with the audiences' emotions. Furthermore, the film is about half an hour too long, many scenes seem to drag on endlessly without purpose. As a whole, I Am Sam just doesn't have the polish and effectiveness it strive to achieve. If you are a fan of this kind of drama, you probably won't be too disappointed, but if you don't like sappy movies, I suggest you stay away from it and watch something else instead.

Rating:
Summary: A Rare Movie Experience
Review: From the first moment I AM SAM began, I realized I was in for a rare movie treat. As part of a movie class I was fortunate to recently preview I AM SAM and find now, several weeks later that I am still as enthusiastic about this film as I was when I first saw it.

Sean Penn, and I cannot say enough about his performance, plays Sam, a mentally challenged adult with the mental capacity of a 7 year old. We first see him working at Starbucks while he puts out sugar packets in an obsessive manner, calling out orders over and over and endearing himself to customers in his charming Sam manner. Suddenly, Sam is called away and we watch him enter a hospital and witness the birth of his daughter. Elated and awestruck, Sam names the baby girl Lucy, after the Beatle song Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds. Unfortunately Lucy's mother isn't intersted in either Sam or Lucy and as they leave the hospital, with Lucy in Sam's arms, simply runs away from them. Ill prepared and ill equipped to raise a child, Sam somehow managaes to bring up Lucy with the help of a kindly and eccentric neighbor played to perfection by Dianne Weist. As the years go by, we see glimpses of Lucy growing up as she plays with Sam, as they read Green Eggs and Ham together before bedtime, as Sam buys shoes with Lucy aided by his friends who are also mentally challenged and finally when Lucy begins school. And while I know realistically that Sam being capable of raising Lucy mostly on his own till she reaches grade school might be unlikely, Sean Penn as Sam is so loving and good with Lucy, that I truly wanted to believe this could happen.

While it isn't firmly established how Sam and Lucy manage to evade child welfare agencies all of this time, eventually these beauracratic agencies do become aware of Lucy's situation and challenge Sam's ability to care for her. Sam now must fight for Lucy as he never has had to do before. Confused and heartbroken, Sam initially finds a high powered lawyer played by Michelle Pfeiffer. But she wants no part of the case. Beset by a career which takes over her life, Michelle Pfeiffer's character has a sullen young son at home and little to say to her husband. Eventually, though, she does take the case, is almost shamed into it by other lawyers in her firm. But in a remarkable twist of fate and and while helping Sam, she learns a great deal from him about parenting and unconditional love. What happens to Sam and Lucy as they are separated and the case is argued in court are memorable scenes filled with tremendous poignancy and deep emotions. For after all, who is truly fit to be a parent. Is love enough? Who does make a good parent? And most of all, what is in the best interest of Sam's daughter, Lucy

As an addition and complementing the tremendous perfomances of Sean Penn, Michelle Pfeiffer,Dianne Weist and Laura Dern Lucy played by Dakota Fanning, the movie inclues as background music many of the songs of the Beatles. And at various times the screenplay includes relevant lines and quotes which are fitting to the scenes. It was particualrly eerie watching this movie a few days after the death of George Harrison to hear Sam talk about the success of Harrison's song, "Here Comes the Sun," from the Abbey Road album. But what an appropriate comment I thought as the sun shined down on both Lucy and Sam as Sam ran around the soccer field with Lucy in his arms.

I cannot praise this movie enough. While at times one couldn't help but think of the movies Rainman and Kramer vs. Kramer, I AM SAM stands on its own as being a truly wonderful movie. I fully expect that Sean Penn will be nominated for many awards for his magnificent performance. I certainly hope he is acknowledged for this, a performance of a lifetime. If not I am confident that viewers like myself will never forget Sean Penn as Sam or this finely drawn character.

Rating:
Summary: The Feel Good Film of the Year 2001!!!
Review: Wow, I just saw one of the best movies of the past year, "I am Sam". The movie stars Sean Penn, and Michelle Pfeiffer and is so cool. Compared to other films which are about retards such as Forrest Gump, and Rain Man, I am Sam ranks high among the list. The acting is just amazing. I didn't know Penn had it in him.

Warning though, bring a tissue because the end will make you cry. I don't usually cry at films but this one I had no choice, tears gushed out of my plump face! My date cried as well, it was a great moment. It's sad but not too sad, it steers clear from a cop-out ending that most films bring to the table.

I can see how others won't like I Am Sam though. They might think it's I Am Sam is too sappy or pretensious. They might think I Am Sam is too predictable. Well, some people with hearts made of stone would think so. They are possibly the same people who think Awakenings is cheesy. People who aren't willing to open themselves up to the non conventional action thrillers would insult this.

I Am Sam is certainly not a new kind of movie, it is certainly not a classic movie, but it is a feel good film. It's THE feel good film of 2001. Strongly recommended.

Rating:
Summary: I Smell Oscar!
Review: What an amazing movie! I am not a fan of Sean Penn's AT ALL, but i was totally captivated by his performance. All of the actors did a superb job: Michelle Pfeiffer truly stretched her range in her portrayal of a self-centered "typically L.A." lawyer, Dianne Weist created many undiscovered layers with her role as the godmother, Laura Dern played a convincing and, at first very unlikable suburban wife and newcomer Dakota was amazing as little Lucy. This was a talented cast in the hands of a brilliant director bringing to life an extremely creative script. This movie defines why people work in the film industry. Anyone with a dry eye at the end of this flick needs to reevaluate THEIR life!!!

Rating:
Summary: Sean Penn Good -- I Am Sam -- Cliche, Boring, Inadequant
Review: "It's Sean Penn though, he's picky about his roles, it has to be good"

I heard as I was dragged into a pre-screening of "I am Sam." It's unfortanete though that this film has "give me an oscar nomination" written all over it. Penn is good in it, playing the mentally retarted father (with the learning capacity of a 7 year old). What? you saw that before? another mentally retarted adult?in what movie? forrest gump? Pollack? rainman? the past 50 oscar nominated roles? yeah, for a second I thought this role was unique...

The problem with I Am Sam is that it tries to be an adult film, it gets you to sympathize with Penn but god forbid it gets too serious as he falls over on numerous occasions (see also: Julianne Moore -- Evolution). The girl put up a nice performance though, and Michelle Pfiefer (yes, the catwoman) was also cliche being the lawyer, defending Sam. Another problem I have with this.. Sam simply cannot take care of a girl more mature than himself. They make the caseworkers look like the bad guys.

What happens in the end? guess... no really, guess... you can probably guess what happens.. It's way predictable, 30 minutes into it you know exactly how its gonna end (I won't spoil the film here, but it's obvious enough).

Sean's fans won't wanna miss his performance. Skip I am Sam if you're looking for an award winner or a real heartbreaker. The preview didn't lie to you -- that is what the movie will be! If you have interest in this sappy, pretentious, overdramatic film; go check it out, although there are much better films you can view this winter season.

Did I mention that Penn was pretty good in it?

Rating:
Summary: "Slow" dad fights court order to give up his child
Review: 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!****

Rating:
Summary: The Feel Good Film of the Year 2001!!!
Review: Wow, I just saw one of the best movies of the past year, "I am Sam". The movie stars Sean Penn, and Michelle Pfeiffer and is so cool. Compared to other films which are about retards such as Forrest Gump, and Rain Man, I am Sam ranks high among the list. The acting is just amazing. I didn't know Penn had it in him.

Warning though, bring a tissue because the end will make you cry. I don't usually cry at films but this one I had no choice, tears gushed out of my plump face! My date cried as well, it was a great moment. It's sad but not too sad, it steers clear from a cop-out ending that most films bring to the table.

I can see how others won't like I Am Sam though. They might think it's I Am Sam is too sappy or pretensious. They might think I Am Sam is too predictable. Well, some people with hearts made of stone would think so. They are possibly the same people who think Awakenings is cheesy. People who aren't willing to open themselves up to the non conventional action thrillers would insult this.

I Am Sam is certainly not a new kind of movie, it is certainly not a classic movie, but it is a feel good film. It's THE feel good film of 2001. Strongly recommended.

Rating:
Summary: DIABETICALLY SWEET SCHMALTZ, BUT VERY WELL DONE
Review: "I am Sam" is replete with a jerky handheld finish, self-conscious art direction, the angst of the specially challenged, lots of opportunities to laugh and cry, terrific acting, and a marvelous Beatles-Plus soundtrack. The love that the entire cast and crew put into the project radiates from the scene and generates enough goodwill to forgive the occasionally languid pacing.

Sean Penn's nomination was absolutely well-deserved, and Dakota Fleming does a great job of Sam's daughter. Some magnificent supporting turns by Laura Dern, Diane Wiest, Stanley DeSantis, and two actually mentally handicapped actors, help carry the somewhat airy/sappy script through some of its less credible moments.

If you're a heartless scrimp by nature and want action in your movies, you may want to skip it, but everyone else should have a decent feel-good time with this stirring drama.

Rating:
Summary: WHY NO OSCAR FOR PENN??!!
Review: In my opinion, this is easily Sean Penn's best performance and he has had many great ones.I was just starting a nasty custody case when I saw this movie for the first time and I was moved in so many ways. I could watch this movie over and over again, the music (all Beatles covers) was done perfectly, and Penn's performance was done so well he had a certain innocence about him that was just heart wrenching at times because of how bad he was being treated by the system and he just kept doing what he thought was right and the one point in the movie when he was on the stand and sounded like he was making perfect sense and it ended up he was just quoting something he heard from someone else saying(other people's names included),it really makes you feel for him and you just wish that they would give him his daughter back. Eventually things turn out in his favor, which I wish would happen for me but unfortunatly, I live in the real world! GREAT MOVIE, GREAT PERFORMANCES,GREAT STORY, GREAT MUSIC, GREAT, GREAT, GREAT!!