I Am Sam (PG-13, 2002)

I Am Sam tells the story of Sam Dawson (Sean Peen), a mentally challenged man who works at IHOP. He is given the surprise of his life when he realizes that he must take care of a child (he accidentally got a homeless woman pregnant when she slept with him). He names the child Lucy Diamond Dawson (Dakota Fanning), after a Beatles song. On her 7th birthday, authorities take away Lucy, thinking that she will have a more successful life if she is parented by someone who isn't mentally challenged. Sam must now fight for his right to maintain custody of Lucy with help from his lawyer Rita (Michelle Pfieffer). This movie contains strong language for a PG-13. There are several utters of "b*tch", "hell", "g*ddamn", and one use of "f*ck". The movie also contains some sexual content (Rita's husband has sex with other women, Sam gets a homeless woman pregnant by accident, a hooker comes on to Sam in a restaurant) and heavy commercialism for IHOP, The Beatles, and Nickelodeon. Despite its confusing ending (we don't learn whether or not Sam regains custody of Lucy), I Am Sam is a wonderful movie that I whole-heartedly recommend to everyone.

This movie brought me to tears. Sean Penn is such a great actor; everyone in that movie did a wonderful job.

I liked this movie mainly because of the way it portrays people who are mentally disabled. I feel that when people think of the mentally disabled that they automatically think that they are incapable of many things. This movie shows that there are many fully functioning people who are mentally disabled. Another message that I took from the movie is that sometimes people get wrapped up in their work and lose sight of things that are important to them such as their children or their marriage. And sometimes it takes a step back to see the bigger picture. A good movie about love and the great lengths that people will go to retain it.

i am sam is certainly a good film. The movie showcases Sean Penn and Michelle Pfeiffer at the top of their games. Dakota Fanning also gives a warm performance. Although dramatically obvious and full of cliche', it will still tug those tears right out of your eyes. Note to parents: A fine film, but there is plenty of curses here, plus Sam's disability may be too intense for younger kids to handle. Even some teens might not be able to handle it.

I can't believe how common sense media missed the consumerism! Product placement is everywhere! They talk about how iHop is the best, He buys "Huggies" diapers (Que zoom in on label), He works at STARBUCKS, (Zooms in on every starbucks logo in the store, talk about how everything in starbucks is a good tasty choice) I've only seen a small bit of this movie so far, but the consumerism is DEFINITELY noticeable! The reviewers really messed up on this one!