I Am Sam

2001, Drama, 2h 12m

145 Reviews 250,000+ Ratings

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critics consensus

Not only does the manipulative I Am Sam oversimplify a complex issue, it drowns it in treacle. Read critic reviews

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I Am Sam Photos

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Movie Info

"I Am Sam" is the compelling story of Sam Dawson (Sean Penn), a mentally-challenged father raising his daughter Lucy (Dakota Fanning) with the help of a unique group of friends. As Lucy turns seven and begins to intellectually surpass her father, their close bond is threatened when their unconventional living arrangement comes to the attention of a social worker who wants Lucy placed in foster care.

Cast & Crew

Sean Penn
Sam Dawson
Michelle Pfeiffer
Rita
Dakota Fanning
Lucy
Dianne Wiest
Annie
Loretta Devine
Margaret Calgrove
Richard Schiff
Turner
Laura Dern
Randy Carpenter
Brad Silverman
Brad
Joseph Rosenberg
Joe
Stanley DeSantis
Robert
Doug Hutchinson
Ifty
Mary Steenburgen
Dr. Blake
Caroline Keenan
Rebecca
Chase Mackenzie Bebak
Willy Harrison
Mason Lucero
Conner Rhodes
Scott Paulin
Duncan Rhodes
Jessie Nelson
Director
Kristine Johnson
Writer
Jessie Nelson
Writer
Jessie Nelson
Producer
Richard Solomon
Producer
Marshall Herskovitz
Producer
Edward Zwick
Producer
Claire Rudnick Polstein
Executive Producer
Michael De Luca
Executive Producer
David Rubin
Executive Producer
Elliot Davis
Cinematography
Aaron Osborne
Production Design
Richard Chew
Film Editing
John Powell
Original Music
Mary Gail Artz
Casting
Barbara Cohen
Casting
Susie DeSanto
Costume Design
Erin Cochran
Art Director
Barbara A. Hall
Unit Production Manager
Jennifer Gentile
Set Decoration
Show all Cast & Crew

Critic Reviews for I Am Sam

All Critics (145) | Top Critics (47) | Fresh (51) | Rotten (94)
Full Review… Nell Minow Common Sense Media Full Review… Sara Michelle Fetters MovieFreak.com Full Review… Jeff Strickler Minneapolis Star Tribune Full Review… Andrew O'Hehir Sight & Sound Full Review… Michael Wilmington Chicago Tribune Full Review… Danny Graydon BBC.com Full Review… Richard Propes TheIndependentCritic.com Full Review… Nick Rogers The Film Yap Full Review… Mark Halverson Sacramento News & Review Full Review… Thomas Delapa Boulder Weekly Full Review… John R. McEwen Film Quips Online Full Review… John Venable Supercala.com
View All Critic Reviews (145)

Audience Reviews for I Am Sam

  • Oct 22, 2013
    Something to warm the hearts of audiences but ultimately this feels contrived. Penn appears to be apeing rather than becoming mentally disabled. At its worst, it actually causes us to alienate his character and hope that he doesn't end up with the kid after all.
    John B Super Reviewer
  • May 28, 2012
    Sean Penn gives an excellent performance as a developmentally disabled man who needs to hire a lawyer to get custody of his daughter. Michelle Pfeiffer and Sean Penn do such a good job with their acting, that the audience will completely forget how unrealistic and far fetched the premise is.
    Bryan D Super Reviewer
  • Jan 28, 2012
    I Am Sam presents great actings of the cast and bring a cute, confused and nice story. But the strong sentimentalism, don't save the film. Rotten.
    Lucas M Super Reviewer
  • Jan 06, 2012
    Check it out. Dustin Hoffman, 'Rain Man,' look retarded, act retarded, not retarded. Counted toothpicks, cheated cards. Autistic, sho'. Not retarded. You know Tom Hanks, 'Forrest Gump.' Slow, yes. Retarded, maybe. Braces on his legs. But he charmed the pants off Nixon and won a ping-pong competition. That ain't retarded. He was a god damn war hero, do you know any retarded war hero's?
    Joe M Super Reviewer
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