Sean Penn, Dakota Fanning, Dianne Wiest, Laura Dern, Michelle Pfeiffer

A mentally retarded man fights for custody of his 7-year-old daughter, and in the process teaches his cold-hearted lawyer the value of love and family.

Flixster Users

61% want to see it

277,330 ratings

Critics

34% liked it

140 critics

PG-13, 2 hr. 14 min.

Directed by: Jessie Nelson

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DVD Release Date: June 18, 2002

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Critic Reviews


June 17, 2002
Edward Havens, FilmJerk.com

Liberal propoganda crap. full review

March 22, 2002
David Edelstein, Slate

On one level, I Am Sam is a crock, but on another, more vital one, it's very, very sweet. full review

January 25, 2002
Moira MacDonald, Seattle Times

So drenched in sweetness that it's devoid of reality, and so free of leavening flavors that, despite some good performances, it's ultimately sickening. full review

January 25, 2002
Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle

Deserves to be remembered for Sean Penn's remarkable performance as a mentally challenged man. full review

January 25, 2002
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

Every device of the movie's art is designed to convince us Lucy must stay with Sam, but common sense makes it impossible to go the distance with the premise. full review

January 8, 2002
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

Contrived, manipulative and shamelessly sentimental, this film is notable for the courageous reach of Sean Penn. full review

December 27, 2001
A.O. Scott, The New York Times

Its sentimentality is so relentless and its narrative so predictable that the life is very nearly squeezed out of it. full review

View more I Am Sam reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

Comments


  • balibeachgirl2000
    September 6, 2009
    Very touchy!! its make me cried!! greats!!
  • joselynu04
    April 24, 2009
    I LOVE THIS MOVIE EVERY TIME I SEE IT MAKES ME CRY!!!
  • oscarpietro
    February 13, 2009
    Un guion y la actuacion fantastica de Sean Penn, que sin duda tuvo a un extraordinario equipo de produccion junto a el.
    Conmovedora realizacion del cine que demuestra que si es posible la produccion cinematografica de alto contenido valorico en lo humano y que otorga una soberana paliza a las producciones que pretenden crearnos mitos y falsos heroes de guerra o condicionar las mentes para un consumismo inutil.
    Me encantaria como actor que tambien soy, estrechar la mano personalmente a Sean para felicitarlo por este y otros trabajos tan buenos como los de su padre Charlie.
    Un abrazo cordial en donde estes.
  • jungzx
    August 10, 2007
    I LOVE the soundtrack!!!
  • sExCgUrLnAt
    July 2, 2007
    ThIs Is ThE BeSt MoViE IvE EvA SeEn
    I CrIeD WhEn I WaTcHeD It
    ItS A ReLlI GuD MoViE To WaTcH
  • ayee28
    June 28, 2007
    this movie made me cry.. and i've watched it numerous times already. its a movie ill never forget.. seann penn was wonderful in this movie!Ü
  • roysterdsouza
    June 11, 2007
    Beautiful Movie, Good acting and a very very touching story... one of the best movies....
  • randomcrazydude
    May 18, 2007
    If anyone thinks this movie is bad-u obviouslty dont have a heart, cause this is one of the most moving and sad movies ive seen, its soo touching and makes u think. I was still thinking about it around 3 days later!!
  • lilvella101
    February 27, 2007
    this is an amazing movie. it made me cry and laugh, sean penn was GREAT!!!!
  • enelisf
    February 1, 2007
    wow...a wonderful film about the love...the love, the cares a father's protection with his daughter, overcomes all of the problems and it faces barriers,one movie with actors, picture, music everything perfect..:)

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I Am Sam Trivia


  • What movie is about a fully grown man with an IQ the same as his young daughter fighting to keep custody of her as she gets older?  Answer »
  • Which actress do these films have in common? Frankie & Johnny Wolf I Am Sam Grease 2 Batman Returns  Answer »
  • The line "You're going a little faster than everybody else. I was wondering if you noticed that" is from which film?   Answer »
  • Identify the film from the quote: "Yeah. It's an outgoing message so I think you need to sound a little more outgoing"   Answer »

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