YOU HAVE TO LOVE SAM
 Jul 9th, 2002
(Jul 15th, 2002)
Advantages:
A look in to the lives of disabled people
Disadvantages:
a few slow moving parts
Recommendable:
Yes
Detailed rating:
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Story
Characters / Performances
Special Effects
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  CanadasCousin
About me:
"LET HE WHO IS WITHOUT SIN CAST THE FIRST STONE", "DO UNTO OTHERS AS YOU WOULD HAVE T...
Member since:20.02.2002
Reviews:40
Members who trust:19
Review rated by 62 Ciao members on average: very helpful 
It’s hard to describe a movie that leaves you feeling sad and happy at the same time. “I AM SAM” did just that to me. SEAN PENN, plays Sam Dawson, a developementally disabled person. (Referred to in the movie as retarded). Sam lives alone in his own apartment, , has a job busing tables at Starbuck’s, and has many friends. Most of whom are either mentally or physically disabled. Because he is a kind and gentle person, Sam befriended a homeless woman and together they made a baby. When this baby is born, the mother flees, leaving Sam to raise this girl, Lucy, (Dakota Fanning) alone.
Sam has got the IQ of a 7 year old. He can read at this level and his greatest joy is reading “GREEN EGGS AND HAM” to his daughter. When Lucy turns 7, their problems seem to escalate. Teachers call Sam to school and tell him in so many words that his handicap is holding back Lucy’s learning skills because she wants to be like him. Friends begin making “fun” of Sam, and Lucy runs away from her 7th birthday party. When the police find her, they contact child services, and they put her in foster care and thus begins Sam fight to get back custody of the child he loves so much. Michelle Pfeiffer portrays Rita Harrison , the high-powered Century City attorney who Sam and his friends chose from the Yellow Pages because she has a large ad. Sam is willing to pay and continues to try to convince her to take his case, but Rita wants no part of this until she is embarrassed before friends and takes on the case “pro-bono”. This leads her into a journey and relationship she never expected. SAM senses her sadness regarding her husband and son and gives her intelligent and practical advice.
SEAN PENN, who always plays the bad, deranged person does a fantastic job portraying SAM. If anyone deserves an award for their performance, he definitely does. From the gentleness of his nature, his physical afflictions, his naivenes to his sense of right and wrong, his innocence and his despair, PENN captures all. His frustration brings tears to your eyes and his joy and laughter brings laughter to you. SAM’s determination to show the courts that he is willing and able to care for his daughter under constant adversity and her love for him and desire to be with him portray a bond created out of love. It is so uplifting the see SAM and his friends portrayed as functioning adults. It gives new insight in the emotions of these disabled adults and shows that they are capable of many things that most of us are unaware of. I found the scenes when SAM interacted with his friends delightful. I also appreciated the love they also had for Lucy and how much they were willing to go through to help Sam get her back.
Dianne Wiest is great as “Annie”., the neighbor who has not left her home in over 20 years and goes to court to help SAM win back custody of Lucy. Laura Dern was also excellent in her role as “Randy”, the foster mother who wanted to adopt Lucy unti she realized Sam’s love for his daughter and her love for him.
The film has one or two slow parts. This is not a great movie, but Sean Penn’s acting is great. This is a very, very good movie and is one that should be seen by young and old alike. It is a feel good movie, but also a tearjerker. When I left the theater and went into the ladies room, I know which women has seen the movie also. The ones with the tears in their eyes.
I just saw this movie again last night on DVD. I enjoyed it as much as I did when I saw it in the threatre and my opinion still remains the same. SEAN PENN definitely should have won the Oscar for Best Actor. He was incredible. Everyone should see this movie!!
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![I Am Sam [DVD] [2002]](http://picnicb.ciao.com/uk/78519585.jpg)
14.09.2003 11:26
i saw an advert for this the other day, think i will watch it now!!
29.10.2002 15:56
I haven't seen this film, will look out for it.
17.07.2002 00:02
I am going to have to look out for this film ~ I love stuff like this ~ and these are films I will always remember. Have you ever seen Who will love my Children ~ it had such an impact on me!