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. 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. You're almost there! ", "The funniest, sexiest midlife crisis in movie history. He is a short, unidentified Dr. Seuss creature. Sam, a neurodivergent man, has a daughter with a homeless woman who abandons them when they leave the hospital, leaving Sam to raise Lucy on his own. As movie plots go, "I Am Sam" ends in a somewhat predictable manner. Synopsis. The message of "I am Sam" is more than your typical get-out-the-handkerchief movie. Subscribe to CLASSIC TRAILERS: http://bit.ly/1u43jDeSubscribe to TRAILERS: http://bit.ly/sxaw6hSubscribe to COMING SOON: http://bit.ly/H2vZUnLike us on FACEBOOK: http://goo.gl/dHs73Follow us on TWITTER: http://bit.ly/1ghOWmt I Am Sam (2001) Official Trailer #1 - Sean Penn, Michelle Pfeiffer DramaA 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.Welcome to the Fandango MOVIECLIPS Trailer Vault Channel. What was the official certification given to I Am Sam (2001) in Mexico? He faces a number of issues throughout the movie, but the main hardship is to gain custody of his daughter. Loading. There are several heartwrenching scenes during which Sam and Lucy are forcibly taken from one another. Drama Movies That Tug at the Heartstrings. We wont be able to verify your ticket today, but its great to know for the future. 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?" He had his daughter, Lucy with a homeless woman and she left Sam just after she had her. Copyright Fandango. Special Achievement Award. Please wait. PG-13. Synopsis. "[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. You know Tom Hanks, 'Forrest Gump.' But as Lucy grows up, Sam's limitations as a parent start to become a problem and the authorities take her away. Sam has the kinds of problems that come up in story conferences more than in life. I Am Sam 2001 132 minutes 4.7 star 407 reviews 36% Tomatometer PG-13 Rating family_home Eligible info $9.99 Buy HD $2.99 Rent HD info Watch in a web browser or on supported devices Learn More. Sean Penn gives an excellent performance as a developmentally disabled man who needs to hire a lawyer to get custody of his daughter. Not only does the manipulative I Am Sam oversimplify a complex issue, it drowns it in treacle. Other characters (two of whom are actually developmentally disabled) give insightful performances that may enlighten older kids and teens about people with special needs. Sam's displays of resourcefulness win the day, and when he convinces Lucy's would-be foster mother Randy (Laura Dern)that he's up to the task of parenting and asks her to help with Lucy's upbringing Randy decides to side with Sam, which ultimately convinces the court. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. He some how raises her with help from a neighbor, played by Diane Wiest. A number of the people in the movie struggle with parenting issues -- there has never been a court proceeding in history that permitted such discussion of the family lives of all the participants and witnesses. What problems are they likely to have as she gets older? Get the freshest reviews, news, and more delivered right to your inbox! 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. As they work to secure Sam's rights, Sam helps Rita see her own life anew. What did Rita learn from Sam, and why was it only Sam who could teach it to her? 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). The film received polarized reviews from critics and audiences. She loved this raw movie. Nearly seven years later in 2001, Sam provides a loving place for precocious Lucy, though she soon surpasses his mental capacity and ability. If only the filmmakers had trusted the material and the audience a little more, then I Am Sam wouldn't feel so manipulative and dishonest. Im truly surprised that a couple of parents left reviews that they thought theres too much bad language especially those with teenagers. The final scene depicts a soccer game, in which Sam referees and Lucy participates as a player. 2023's Most Anticipated Sequels, Prequels, and Spin-offs. Penn's brother, Michael Penn, is also featured on a duet with his wife Aimee Mann. Privacy Policy By using our Services, you agree to our use of cookies. Michelle Pfeiffer and Sean Penn give career-defining performances in this humorous and heart-warming film about a mentally-challenged father who enlists the aid of a high-powered . I Am Sam (stylized in all lowercase) 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. As Robert Kohner observes in his Variety review: "In a way, Edward Norton's turn in "The Score" in which his thief used a mental handicap as a disguise, gave the trade secret away when it comes to this sort of performance." Cinemark Eventually Lucy decides to stop learning so she won't get ahead of her dad. Apart from the main plot that deals with Sam's struggle to be a father to Lucy, "I AmSam"also prominently focuses on Michelle Pfeiffer's hard-boiled Rita, who enters the scene as a cold, work-oriented person who's clearly estranged from her family, as well as the majority of life's good things. The film collected nearly $100 million at the box office on a modest budget, earned a SAG Award win and Oscar nom for Penn and turned Fanning, who also won a. "[10] Ebert also criticized the morality tale character of the movie, saying that "you can't have heroes and villains when the wrong side is making the best sense. I Am Sam. Sam loves the Beatles (his favorite is George). Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture, Drama. When Family Protective Services try to take Lucy away, Sam gets intense lawyer Rita Harrison (Michelle Pfeiffer) to help him. By opting to have your ticket verified for this movie, you are allowing us to check the email address associated with your Rotten Tomatoes account against an email address associated with a Fandango ticket purchase for the same movie. Check it out. This is where the movie fails. Against the odds, I Am Sam was a hit. 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. Coming Soon. How Do I Protect My Young Child from Cyberbullying? "Daddy, did God mean for you to be like this, or was it an accident? 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. In turn, she gets Sam through his worst moments after Lucy is taken away from him. I Am Sam. We search near and far for original movie trailer from all decades. That ain't retarded. , and to receive email from Rotten Tomatoes. What's more, she's last seen happily watching Lucy's football game with her son, which shows that she's grown to be a capable parent. Stay up-to-date on all the latest Rotten Tomatoes news! Watch on YouTube I Am Sam Drama 2001 2 hr 12 min English audio PG-13 CC Buy or rent Sam Dawson has the mental capacity of a 7-year-old and works at a Starbucks. 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. After a mentally challenged father is separated from his young daughter, he enlists a brilliant attorney to help him win back custody. Dianne Wiest, Loretta Devine, Richard Schiff, and Laura Dern appear in supporting roles. Just leave us a message here and we will work on getting you verified. I Am Sam is about as connected to the real world as Dr. Seuss's Green Eggs and Ham, from which its title is derived -- in fact, in the realism department, Seuss may have the edge. The topics in this movie are real. The image is an example of a ticket confirmation email that AMC sent you when you purchased your ticket. (2002) "Love is all you need." Audience Score. This movie does not use too much swearing just a couple of F words. 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. Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners. "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). But as Lucy grows up, Sam's limitations as a parent start to become a problem and the authorities take her away. Families can talk about what Sam should do to give Lucy everything she needs. Not only does the manipulative I Am Sam oversimplify a complex issue, it drowns it in treacle. Cookies help us deliver our Services. Jessie Nelson and Kristine Johnson, who co-wrote the . For example, he's sitting in a diner when an attractive young woman smiles at him. By creating an account, you agree to the Sam finds a lawyer who handles the case pro bono. Coming Soon. Roger Ebert was the film critic of the Chicago Sun-Times from 1967 until his death in 2013. "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. 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. and the This character and performance would be perfect in an edgy comedy, but exist in a parallel universe to the world of this film. powered by . Sean Penn plays Sam, a mentally challenged man that instantly becomes a single parent, when the mother immediately abandons them when they leave the hospital. 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. Sean Penn was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor, the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role, the Broadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best Actor and the Satellite Award for Best Actor Motion Picture Drama. A female character swears occasionally: one use of "f--k," along with numerous instances of "goddammit," "hell," and other mild epithets. Then a cop pounces and arrests him for frequenting a prostitute. Regal 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." This is what the world needs right now. The movie was released in 2001, and it garnered a lot of acclaim for its portrayal of the developmentally challenged members of the society. He was a god damn war hero, do you know any retarded war hero's? The movie, I Am Sam is about a single father who has a developmental disability and who has an IQ of a seven-year-old who wants and tries to take care of his baby daughter. In danger of losing child custody, Sam gets advice from his friends and also hires a lawyer, Rita Harrison, whose absorption in her work and neglect of her son reveals her to also struggle with her role as a parent. Maybe its because I'm a father of a six year-old girl, but I was moved by the love between father and daughter, Sam and Lucy. Drama about autistic savant has profanity, mature themes. Read full review. It aired on KBS2 from August 6 to October 2, 2007, on Mondays and Tuesdays at 21:55 ( KST) time slot for 16 episodes. Dolby Stereo, Dolby Digital, Dolby A, Surround, Dolby SR. Something to warm the hearts of audiences but ultimately this feels contrived. Sean Penn And Dakota Fanning did an amazing job! Sam convinces high-priced lawyer Rita to take his case pro bono and in turn teaches her the value of love and family. She became the youngest actress to be nominated for a Screen Actors Guild Award. [3] The film's title is derived from the lines "I am Sam / Sam I am" of the book Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss, which is included in the movie. "[5] On Metacritic, the film has a score of 28 of 100 based on 33 reviews, indicating "generally unfavorable reviews". The film means well, but each scene gets clobbered by sappy screenwriting. Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. Penn appears to be apeing rather than becoming mentally disabled. You can help us help kids by Rotten. Just below that it reads "Ticket Confirmation#:" followed by a 10-digit number. If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, please contact the Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741, call the National Alliance on Mental Illness helpline at 1-800-950-NAMI (6264), or visit the National Institute of Mental Health website. 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. Randy assures him that she will tell the judge he is the best parent for Lucy. The parents' guide to what's in this movie. If you chose to provide an email address, it will only be used to contact you about your comment. I just watched it again but with my 12-year-old for the first time. The mother disappeared right after giving birth (her farewell words: "All I wanted was a place to sleep"), and now Sam is doing his best to cope, although sometimes Lucy has to help him with her homework. 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. As the movie had been shot and produced to the original Beatles music, the artists had to record their covers to the same musical timing (tempo) as that of the Beatles' original pieces. Common Sense is a nonprofit organization. Not long ago a veteran moviegoer told me that when he sees an actor playing a mentally retarded person, he is reminded of a performer playing "Lady of Spain" on an accordion: The fingers fly, but are the song or the instrument worthy of the effort? The Circus: Inside the Greatest Political Show on Earth: Season 8, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power: Season 1, Link to Marvel Movies Ranked Worst to Best by Tomatometer, Link to 10 Black Women Filmmakers Who Have Shaped the Cinema Landscape of the 21st Century, Link to 10 LGBTQIA+ Women Who Became Trailblazers in Entertainment. Please click the link below to receive your verification email. 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. 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 Dawson has the mental capacity of a 7-year-old and works at a Starbucks. New 'Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 3' Trailer, Movie Review: Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, Dan Stevens and Betty Gilpin Talk Gaslit, Review: 'Licorice Pizza' Is Paul Thomas Anderson's Latest Masterpiece. Well, but its great to know for the future for example he... A Screen Actors Guild Award a problem and the authorities take her away Rita learn from,... That it reads `` ticket confirmation #: '' followed by a 10-digit number each! 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