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 107 Ratings

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6.8

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6.8	Your Score
6.8	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 107 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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Metascore

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

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

SEE ALL 33 REVIEWS

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User Reviews

stepansito

Jul 4, 2011

I truly loved it. what a great performance from penn as well as fanning's. A beautiful and lovely story with a great sense on values and the meaning of perseverance. Highly recommended. Metascore 28 doesn't give it credit

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

SaraiV.

Oct 13, 2006

This is the best movie ever!

2 of 4 users found this helpful

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

3 of 7 users found this helpful34

Compi24

Nov 28, 2012

It may be overly sweet, but it's still an engaging film with one of Sean Penn's greatest performances sealed within it.

3 of 4 users found this helpful31

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

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

CineAutoctono

Jan 5, 2020

I Am Sam was a movie with a touching and relaxing rythym, with good performances and story, although is slow and affects strongly the movie in the final moments of the movie, but it still entertraining.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

AkashVijay

Jan 19, 2015

Erin Cochran ... directs this mess like a substitute teacher soldiering through a day's work for a day's pay. The camera shakes uncontrollably. [I am Sam] is ludicrous, manipulative and shamelessly over-sentimental.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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63	#63 Most Discussed Movie of 2001
57	#57 Most Shared Movie of 2001