Sarah Smile (mondragon227)

Not very often is there a movie that moves me in ways that a real-life experience could, but A Beautiful Mind has done just that. The extremely convincing performance of Russell Crowe was outstanding...his best ever. He takes you into the mind of a well thought-out, fascinating character, providing a look into life like you've never experienced it before. He takes you from sanity to insanity and back again. His character is forced to balance insanity with intelligence, and that doesn't come very easy. Russell Crowe proves himself once again as one of the best actors of his generation. He is my absolute favorite, and this movie is just another example of why he has won me over. The movie is extremely interesting, dramatic, romantic, and tragic. Jennifer Connelly's performance was without a doubt wonderful. She proves that she is one of the most amazing, naturally beautiful, actresses there are. This movie is on my top 5 list, maybe even my all-time favorite. I can watch it over and over and still be amazed by the acting. I recommend this to everyone who has not seen it, and for those that have...watch it again, you'll enjoy it all over again. . Definitely a buy!

The first thing that comes to mind when I think of "I am Sam" is Sean Penn's outstanding performance. He has long been one of my favorite actors, and proves his abilities in this film. This is, without a doubt, his best performance to date. He has shown that he loves a great challenge, and that he can not only succeed in the challenge, but also master it. There are a lot of good actors, but I can't name another of off the top of my head that is as diverse as Penn. Penn is an excellent actor with wonderfully broad talent, and offers his audience the finest of performances playing the character of Sam Dawson. Sam is a mentally retarded man who works as a busboy at a local Starbucks, while raising his seven-year-old daughter Lucy, played by Dakota Fanning. Lucy's mother was a homeless woman who left Sam to raise his daughter alone soon after Lucy was born. Sam does a fine job of raising the girl at first, with help from a neighbor and some mildly retarded friends. As Lucy grows, her mental state and intelligence begins to surpass that of Sam, and she is left taking care of him at the early age of seven. Family Protective Services soon learn of the circumstances of the family, and step in. They try to take Lucy away from Sam to eventually be placed in foster care. Sam, knowing that he want to fight for custody of his daughter, then contacts lawyer Rita Harrison, played by Michelle Pfeiffer. At first she turns him down, but later, takes his case pro bono as a challenge from her colleagues. Lucy is taken into FPS custody, and Harrison realized that action has to be taken. Together they fight to convince the system that Sam deserves to get his daughter back. Dakota Fanning in my opinion is the best child actor the big screen has seen in many years. She is able to play any part laid in front of her with great conviction. She manages to steal the hearts of her audience with every performance, and accomplished that early on in this film. This is a wonderful, heart-wrenching, tear-jerking movie. It has a message, and sends it loud and clear. If you have children that need to be introduced to a good life lesson about being kind to others no matter their differences, sit them down in front of the TV for this one. By the end of this film, I guarantee it will have an affect on them, and they may never forget the lesson that they learned or the movie they just watched. It is what life is all about...family, and holding on to them a tight as you can, never letting them slip out of your hands, no matter what life throws your way. The most touching movie I have seen in a long time. This is a definitely buy, and is on personal top 5 list. Highly recommended!!!