I Am Sam

Name: I Am Sam
Genre: Drama
Released: December 28, 2001
Duration: 132 min
Rating: 28
Cast: Michelle Pfeiffer, Sean Penn

2001

METASCORE

Generally unfavorable reviews based on 33 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 146 Ratings

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7.5

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7.5	Your Score
7.5	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 146 Ratings

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I Am Sam

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Movie Details & Credits

New Line Cinema | Release Date: December 28, 2001 | PG-13

Starring: Michelle Pfeiffer, Sean Penn

Summary: The compelling story of Sam Dawson (Penn), a mentally challenged father raising his daughter Lucy with the help of an extraordinary group of friends. When a social worker suggests that Lucy should be placed in foster care, Sam forms an unlikely alliance with a high-powered attorney (Pfeiffer). Together they struggle to convince the systemThe compelling story of Sam Dawson (Penn), a mentally challenged father raising his daughter Lucy with the help of an extraordinary group of friends. When a social worker suggests that Lucy should be placed in foster care, Sam forms an unlikely alliance with a high-powered attorney (Pfeiffer). Together they struggle to convince the system that Sam deserves to get his daughter back and, in the process, fuse a bond that results in a unique testament to the power of unconditional love. (New Line Cinema)… Expand

Director: Jessie Nelson

Genre(s): Drama

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 132 min

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Critic Reviews

Mick LaSalle

Not about the justice or injustice of the legal system. Rather it's about the tragedy of Sam's predicament. Read full review

Michael Wilmington

The role sounds like a sentimental trap, but Penn doesn't fall into it. It's a sensational performance, and he illumines a movie that sometimes seems in danger of descending into modish Hollywood political correctness. Read full review

Roger Ebert

The kind of performance Penn delivers in I Am Sam, which may look hard, is easy, compared, say, to his amazing work in Woody Allen's "Sweet and Lowdown." Read full review

Shawn Levy

This isn't an ordinary film built on a remarkable performance; it's a poor one with a gem at its core. Penn can elevate it to mediocrity, but he cannot make it fly. Read full review

Peter Rainer

I Am Sam is about as connected to the real world as Dr. Seuss's Green Eggs and Ham, from which its title is derived -- in fact, in the realism department, Seuss may have the edge. Read full review

David Sterritt

The film means well, but each scene gets clobbered by sappy screenwriting. Read full review

Steve Davis

It's a bad movie that only a parent could love. Read full review

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User Reviews

Pluto744

Jun 21, 2021

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1 of 1 users found this helpful10

cyber_014

Jul 8, 2014

Truly an amazing Masterpiece, a very deep yet touching movie, i don't always watch a Drama, but this one is Different, i highly recommend it ( it's a must ! )

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

IAmSam1131

Feb 27, 2013

Why don't the critics like this? It was so realistic and wonderful. The critics are being bad at their job. >:l Yes watchers, pretty much all love this. This is EPICCCC

10 of 17 users found this helpful107

DawdlingPoet

Nov 20, 2021

This is a sad, poignant and thought provoking watch. Seann Penn gives a great performance as the titular character. I imagine a film such as this will have brought a lot of controversy at the time it came out, due to the actor not having a related mental/emotional disability as portrayed inThis is a sad, poignant and thought provoking watch. Seann Penn gives a great performance as the titular character. I imagine a film such as this will have brought a lot of controversy at the time it came out, due to the actor not having a related mental/emotional disability as portrayed in the film but I did feel the sensitive subject areas covered were treated with respect. I thought this was quite a memorable film, although it is a bit hard to watch at times, again due to the films themes. It also features a nice soundtrack, with most of the songs performed having been written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney and are sung by Sarah McLachlan, Sheryl Crow etc. This film is well worth a watch for the depiction of how vulnerable people are treated in modern American society and highlights compassion at times (which isn't to say everything goes perfectly, certainly not), if nothing else, so I would definitely recommend it, even though having some tissues to hand may be an idea if your prone to crying when watching emotional films!.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

annbd

Mar 16, 2020

Aw, now that was sweet. Fuc* you to all the stupid critics out there. Seriously? 28 metascore? Well, I doubt the metascore-judgment for all the movies out there. This film was full of emotions. “Sad, but true” like Metallica said. My eyes watered and heart was crushed, but that’s a part ofAw, now that was sweet. Fuc* you to all the stupid critics out there. Seriously? 28 metascore? Well, I doubt the metascore-judgment for all the movies out there. This film was full of emotions. “Sad, but true” like Metallica said. My eyes watered and heart was crushed, but that’s a part of the effects that great movies give you.… Expand

5 of 8 users found this helpful53

grandpajoe6191

Sep 27, 2011

I agree the movie was pretty cheesy and tacky for its taste but seriously, "I am Sam" doesn't deserve this much hate.

4 of 5 users found this helpful41

DrBlahBlah

May 2, 2021

Easily the funniest movie ever made. The trailer alone is priceless.........

0 of 7 users found this helpful07

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59	#59 Most Discussed Movie of 2001
57	#57 Most Shared Movie of 2001