Rated: PG-13
Running Time: 2:13
Tabitha's Rating: *****/5
Synopsis: A mentally retarded father risks losing his daughter when the courts question his ability to raise her
One factor which determines the quality of the movie is what kind of emotions, if any, are brought to life in the audience. Some movies, such as Pearl Harbor, can have a scene which makes you cry, but that doesn't mean the movie as a whole is good. I am Sam, however, draws you in, allows you time to get to know and care about the characters, and brings out your emotions from beginning to end. From the opening scene where his daughter, who he names Lucy after the Beatles song, is placed into his arms as an infant, I was crying. His love for his daughter is so great. We see him raise her from infancy to age 7. At this age, she is now smarter than he is. The courts take notice this, and remove her from his custody. He finally gets the help of a professionally successful, but in the matters of family very unsuccessful, lawyer. (Michelle Pfieffer). The rest of movie deals with his relationship with Lucy as he trys to get her back.
Sean Penn plays the father, and does such a magnificent job. He was nominated for an Oscar for the role, very deservingly. He is so versatile as an actor, from his role as the doped up surfer dude in Fast Times at Ridgemont High to the mentally retarded in I am Sam. the young actress playing Lucy does a wonderful job for a child. It's always cool seeing such young people do so well. Michelle Pfieffer, too, delivers a great performance. The movie is all around great- in the acting, the script, the music (re-made Beatles songs mostly) and the story itself.
Bottomline: Good ready for a good cry, and root for Sean Penn to win the Oscar!
