I Am Sam main backdrop
I Am Sam main poster

7.6/10 • 2.3K

2001-12-282h 12m

Drama

Love is all you need.

Sam, a neurodivergent man, has a daughter with a homeless woman who abandons them when they leave the hospital, leaving Sam to raise Lucy on his own. But as Lucy grows up, Sam's limitations as a parent start to become a problem and the authorities take her away. Sam convinces high-priced lawyer Rita to take his case pro bono and in turn teaches her the value of love and family.

Directors
Jessie Nelson
Editors
Richard Chew

Top Billed Cast

View Credits
  1. Sean Penn

    Sean Penn

    Sam Dawson

  2. Michelle Pfeiffer

    Michelle Pfeiffer

    Rita Harrison Williams

  3. Dianne Wiest

    Dianne Wiest

    Annie Cassell

  4. Dakota Fanning

    Dakota Fanning

    Lucy Diamond Dawson

  5. Richard Schiff

    Richard Schiff

    Mr. Turner

  6. Loretta Devine

    Loretta Devine

    Margaret Calgrove

  7. Marin Hinkle

    Marin Hinkle

    Patricia

  8. Laura Dern

    Laura Dern

    Randy Carpenter

  9. Brad Silverman

    Brad Silverman

    Brad

Reviews1

View Reviews
Key-Si Avatar

Key-Si

Nov 25, 2018

10/10

"I Am Sam" is one of those movies, that touch you right where it matters and if this movie is not becoming an absoute classic, this world must be full of morons. Sean Penn plays the role of his life and he is way more impressive than Dustin Hoffman in "Rain Man". And that performance already can be considered flawless. Also very impressive is little Dakota Fanning in her role as Lucy and one of the best child performances ever brought to screen. And even after the movie is over it will stay with you for a long time and will get you thinking on what side you would actually be if this case would be happening around you. Would you ignore all logic and just decide by your heart or does the common sense weigh strong enough to side with the court and child services pointing out that little Lucy needs a secure surrounding with capable parents who can provide security and mature advice? Anyhow, this movie is incredible and I wouldn't change a single thing.

Media

  • I Am Sam poster
  • I Am Sam poster
  • I Am Sam poster
  • I Am Sam poster
  • I Am Sam poster
  • I Am Sam poster
  • I Am Sam poster

Recommendations

  • Song of the South main backdrop

    Song of the South

    6.4

  • Faustina: Love and Mercy main backdrop

    Faustina: Love and Mercy

    8.5

  • Dead Man Walking main backdrop

    Dead Man Walking

    7.3

  • My Sister's Keeper main backdrop

    My Sister's Keeper

    7.4

  • Milk main backdrop

    Milk

    7.2

  • This Must Be the Place main backdrop

    This Must Be the Place

    7.0

  • The Picture of Dorian Gray main backdrop

    The Picture of Dorian Gray

    7.1

  • Nirvana main backdrop

    Nirvana

    6.5

  • How to Lose Friends & Alienate People main backdrop

    How to Lose Friends & Alienate People

    6.0

  • Ginger & Rosa main backdrop

    Ginger & Rosa

    6.1

  • Chapter 27 main backdrop

    Chapter 27

    5.4

  • Alex & Emma main backdrop

    Alex & Emma

    5.2

  • Butterfly main backdrop

    Butterfly

    7.4

  • The Benefactor main backdrop

    The Benefactor

    4.9

  • The Dinner main backdrop

    The Dinner

    4.5

  • Children of a Lesser God main backdrop

    Children of a Lesser God

    6.9

  • American Son main backdrop

    American Son

    6.2

  • Marley & Me: The Puppy Years main backdrop

    Marley & Me: The Puppy Years

    5.7

  • Auntie Danielle main backdrop

    Auntie Danielle

    6.5

  • The Stoning of Soraya M. main backdrop

    The Stoning of Soraya M.

    7.6

Status
Released
Original Language
English
Budget
$22,000,000.00
Revenue
$92,542,418.00
Keywords
mentally disabledfoster parentslawyerpro bonosocial servicescoffee shop managerpizza hutchildren's booklocked doorchild custodywoman directorfather daughter relationshipneurodiversity