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Not only does the manipulative I Am Sam oversimplify a complex issue, it drowns it in treacle.
All Critics (144) | Top Critics (39) | 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. Nov 6, 2002 | Rating: 2.5/4 | Full Review…
Penn repeatedly hits the ball out of the park, but the rest of the team never gets past first base.
Jeff Strickler
It's a sensational performance, and [Penn] illumines a movie that sometimes seems in danger of descending into modish Hollywood political correctness. Jul 20, 2002 | Rating: 2.5/4
It's a sensational performance, and [Penn] illumines a movie that sometimes seems in danger of descending into modish Hollywood political correctness.
Michael Wilmington
Nelson plumbs the enormous sentiment quota with the relentless persistence of an oil well drill until it erupts in a syrupy geyser. Apr 15, 2002 | Rating: 2/5 | Full Review…
Nelson plumbs the enormous sentiment quota with the relentless persistence of an oil well drill until it erupts in a syrupy geyser.
Danny Graydon
On one level, I Am Sam is a crock, but on another, more vital one, it's very, very sweet. Mar 22, 2002 | Full Review…
On one level, I Am Sam is a crock, but on another, more vital one, it's very, very sweet.
David Edelstein
Plays out in such a conventional manner that it feels like a TV movie of the week from the '70s. Mar 4, 2002
Plays out in such a conventional manner that it feels like a TV movie of the week from the '70s.
Bill Muller
For a movie that probes the sensitive issue of living with reduced mental capacity, are the creators of Bambi the obvious choice? Jan 25, 2002 | Rating: 1/5
For a movie that probes the sensitive issue of living with reduced mental capacity, are the creators of Bambi the obvious choice?
Desson Thomson
Moving film with great acting seems too contrived. Dec 24, 2010 | Rating: 3/5 | Full Review…
Moving film with great acting seems too contrived.
Nell Minow
Sean Penn gives the most professionally shameful, cruelly wrongheaded performance ever nominated for a Best Actor Oscar, while Jessie Nelson Kristine Johnson's script lives down to Penn's ugly ineptitude with idiotic catchphrases and product placement. Sep 25, 2010 | Rating: 0/4 | Full Review…
Sean Penn gives the most professionally shameful, cruelly wrongheaded performance ever nominated for a Best Actor Oscar, while Jessie Nelson Kristine Johnson's script lives down to Penn's ugly ineptitude with idiotic catchphrases and product placement.
Nick Rogers
And I think I am sick. Sep 23, 2004 | Full Review…
And I think I am sick.
Thomas Delapa
Sean Penn may be the most gifted actor of his generation. Jun 19, 2003 | Rating: 3.5/4 | Full Review…
Sean Penn may be the most gifted actor of his generation.
Sara Michelle Fetters
Just watching Penn and Fanning interact...is worth wading through the occasionally ankle-deep syrup. Feb 8, 2003 | Rating: 4/5 | Full Review…
Just watching Penn and Fanning interact...is worth wading through the occasionally ankle-deep syrup.
John R. McEwen
This movie plays like an after-school special or a public service announcement. Jan 23, 2003 | Rating: 4/10 | Full Review…
This movie plays like an after-school special or a public service announcement.
John Venable
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?
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.
I Am Sam is a wonderful drama film. Director Jessie Nelson directs this story about a mentally disabled adult named Sam. Sam has the mental capacity of a child and he has a daughter named Lucy. Unfortunately, Lucy is growing in intellectual capacity, and it's raising important questions. Sam Dawson is brilliantly played by Sean Penn and there is a great cast starring opposite him. The film is sad and is a very good film with a great story. The acting is brilliant, and this is a memorable drama film. Sean Penn is great here, and he has good on-screen chemistry with actress Dakota Fanning. The film at times is uneven, but that doesn't make I Am San any less enjoyable. The film has heart, and like I said the stand out aspect of the film is Sean Penn's performance. This is a well made film, and director Jessie Nelson has made a great film and is entertaining from start to finish. Penn makes this film work very well, and he delivers one of his best performances. I Am Sam is an enjoyable film that touching, sad, funny and heartwarming. As far as drama films are concerned, I Am Sam is great little film that is impossible not to like. The cast make this film better, and they really elevate the story and film a bit more. Despite its flaws, I Am Sam is worth watching and once you do, you're sure to enjoy it. A very good film from start to finish, and with a cast like this, it is a winner.
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