I Am Sam2001
I Am Sam (2001)
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Movie Info
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Cast
as Sam Dawson
as Rita Harrison
as Lucy Dawson
as Annie
as Margaret Calgrove
as Turner
as Randy Carpenter
as Brad
as Brad
as Joe
as Robert
as Judge McNeily
as Ifty
as Lily
as Miss Wright
as Conner Rhodes
as Duncan Rhodes
as George
as Ms. Davis
as Gertie
as Dr. Jaslow
as Rebecca
as Estelle
as Dr. Blake
as Patricia
as Willy
as Bruce
as Nurse
as Grace
as Shoe Salesman
as Principal
as Big Boy Waitress
as Rita's Colleague
as Obnoxious Mom
as Cristina
as Collin
as Vice Cop
as Cafeteria Worker
as Cop at Park
as Starbucks Father
as Starbucks Angry Man
as Starbucks Barrister
as Starbucks Customer
as Starbucks Woman
as Court Clerk
as Bill Carpenter
as Scarecrow
as Booking Cop
as Brian
as Callie
as Sara
as Infant Lucy
as Infant Lucy
as 6-Month-Old Lucy
as 18-Month-Old Lucy
as 18-Month-Old Lucy
as 34-Month-Old Lucy
as 4-Year-Old Lucy
Critic Reviews for I Am Sam
All Critics (144) | Top Critics (38) | Fresh (50) | Rotten (94) | DVD (10)
Penn repeatedly hits the ball out of the park, but the rest of the team never gets past first base.
It's a sensational performance, and [Penn] illumines a movie that sometimes seems in danger of descending into modish Hollywood political correctness.
On one level, I Am Sam is a crock, but on another, more vital one, it's very, very sweet.
Plays out in such a conventional manner that it feels like a TV movie of the week from the '70s.
For a movie that probes the sensitive issue of living with reduced mental capacity, are the creators of Bambi the obvious choice?
A well-intentioned but ludicrous tale.
Audience Reviews for I Am Sam
This film, upon its release reeked of Oscar bait. Ten years later, that smell still lingers. I mean, how could it not? It's about a well meaning developmentally disabled man struggling to reclaim custody of his daughter, and prove that he is capable of raising her, even though she is smarter than him. Here's the thing: I'm not an ogre, and I do have a soul. I recognize that this film is sweet, well meaning, and very charming. It has nothing but good intentions. However, this film tries a bit too hard, and is too reliant on cliches and formula. The references to Kramer Vs. Kramer were a nice litle touch, though. Yeah, this film is heartwarming, and inspiring, but it's overbearing, and it is a feel-good movie to the extent that none of it is really earned. I feel like the film went to a route that was expected and that it did so just because the filmmakers felt levity over reality would be better. Sometimes I'm okay with that, but in this case, I just couldn't get onboard. I do like the performances though. The cast is likeable, and they all put a lot of effort into things, but, like the film overall, they try to hard, hence why Sean Penn got a nomination, but went home empty-handed. He took it too far. His performance isn't offensive, and it is sensitive, but he could have made an effort to dial it down because a little goes a long way. I'm ripping on this movie, but I don't totally hate it. I liked the soundtrack, and the idea to use nothing but Beatles songs was very inspired. Using the originals would have been better, but these are some good covers, so it's okay. You can go out and see this if you want, but don't expect it to be a completely satisfying experience, even though there are some good moments to be found.
Super Reviewer
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?
Super Reviewer
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.
Super Reviewer
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