Genre:
Drama
Directed
by: Jessie Nelson
Starring:
Sean Penn, Dakota Fanning, Michelle Pfeiffer
Running
time: 134 minutes
Sam Dawson is a man with a developmental
disability who becomes a father after getting a homeless woman pregnant. After
giving birth, the mother runs out on them, leaving Sam to take care of the
child, with a little help from his friends. As his daughter Lucy grows older,
her father’s limitations start posing a problem, and social services get
involved. Trying to gain back his parental rights, Sam hires a high-powered
lawyer to help him fight in court.
While
his performance might have made some people uncomfortable, Sean Penn needs to
be recognized for his dedication to the role of Sam Dawson. What a
transformation! A man widely known as a temperamental badass in Hollywood turns
into a fragile developmentally disabled man and he makes you believe it in the process.
Michelle Pfeiffer and Dakota Fanning also offered some solid performances in
this 2001 drama.
The
film itself is a tad preachy and sentimental, trying to portray people looking
for a better situation for a young girl as bad people. But, this movie tugs on
your heartstrings and you want Sam to get his daughter back, though it is clear
he will need a lot of help to raise her.
Along
with the performance by the main actor, a strong point of I Am Sam is the
soundtrack. Composed of Beatles songs covered by various talented artists, it
is a true work of art.
In
spite of its obvious flaws, you cannot help feeling good by the end of I Am
Sam. I wish I did not like this film so much, but I cannot help it.
Rating:
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