I Am Sam is an exuberant and powerful film that captures some outstanding performances by not just one actor in this film but by four! This movie is definitely one of the best movies of 2001 and pleasantly entertaining, serious, and enjoyable
Sam is Sam Dawson (Sean Penn), an adult man who has the IQ of a 7 year old, but is functioning in the real world to the best of his ability. He works at a Starbucks and one day the special day comes, the special day when he makes a mad dash to the hospital because he is becoming a daddy. After leaving the hospital with baby in arms and mother by side and about to board a bus, mom makes a run for it. She abandons Sam with the baby girl who he has named Lucy Diamond after the Beatles's Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds. An avid Beatles fan, Sam is a man who bases a lot of his experiences and ideas of life on the lives of the Beatles. Fortunately the neighbor across the street, Annie (Dianne Wiest) sees he needs help with the baby and provides some very basic advice for him. He does all the rest himself and soon it is almost seven years later. Eventually due to a combination of events, the Child Protective Services are called in, as they feel he cannot possibly provide the childhood Lucy (Dakota Fanning) deserves and they take her away. Sam and his other friends (who are also mentally retarded or suffer from accute mental illnesses) try to figure out a way to get her back, and it ultimately leads him to a high powered Century City attorney named Rita Harrison (Michele Pfeifer).
This film is filled with as many funny moments as well as touching moments. Many of the funnier moments involve the presence of Michele Pfeifer's portrayal of the power hungry lawyer on a cell phone from Hell, neurotic mother of one, Rita Harrison. Some come from the wit and dynamic of Sam and Lucy or Sam and his friends. Some of the great parts of the film is seeing Rita's world and Sam's world crashing into each other. The story and plot run a little over the top emotionally, but it is not serious enough to detract from the enjoyment of this movie.
There are some very fine performances in this film and Penn's is the best as the thoroughly convincing lead role as Sam. He does not over do the role; he plays it perfectly. His months of research at facilities for the retarded have really aided him in his delivery of the role. Sean Penn is an extremely versatile, excellent actor who deserves recognition for his role in this film. But that is not it, surprise, surprise; Michele Pfeifer gives us a truly outstanding performance in the range and depth she covers in the transformation of character we see in Rita. Dianne Wiest is excellent in her supporting role as Annie, a perfect fit for this film. Newcomer Dakota Fanning cannot be forgotten. She adds vitality, spunk, and sentimentality to this movie in her performance and is one to look out for in the future.
This film is funny, entertaining, and heartbreaking. It is the kind of movie you may sniffle at one part and laugh at the next. It has enough laughs and a fast enough pace to keep most moviegoers interested and entertained despite the serious nature of the plot. A very emotionally lifting heartfelt comedy drama, I Am Sam is a movie most audiences will enjoy (except for certain jaded Hollywood critics).
Back to:
© 2000 webmaster@currentlyplaying.com