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I Am Sam
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I Am Sam

2001
Drama
2h 12m
The compelling story of Sam Dawson (Penn), a mentally challenged father raising his daughter Lucy with the help of an extraordinary group of friends. When a social worker suggests that Lucy should be placed in foster care, Sam forms an unlikely alliance with a high-powered attorney (Pfeiffer). Together they struggle to convince the system that Sam deserves to get his daughter back and, in the process, fuse a bond that results in a unique testament to the power of unconditional love. (New Line Cinema)
Directed by:
Jessie Nelson
Written by:
Jessie Nelson Kristine Johnson
+1 more
Starring:
Michelle Pfeiffer Michelle Pfeiffer Sean Penn Sean Penn Doug Hutchison Doug Hutchison Kathleen Robertson Kathleen Robertson Elle Fanning Elle Fanning Dianne Wiest Dianne Wiest Laura Dern Laura Dern Richard Schiff Richard Schiff Dakota Fanning Dakota Fanning Rosalind Chao Rosalind Chao Brad Silverman Molly Gordon Molly Gordon
More
Genre:
Drama
Country:
USA
Language:
English
imdb More information at IMDb
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I Am Sam

2001
Drama
2h 12m
Your probable score
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer
Avg Percentile 51.52% from 3943 total ratings
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

(3943)
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huychuHuychu
Rated 30 Jul 2007
12
2nd
A miserable film. I thought it was a documentary about Sean Penn until someone told me otherwise.
Rated 30 Jul 2007
bok_dongBok dong
Rated 06 Mar 2009
56
72nd
i only like this film because this actor play such a good job of being a retard that i actually thought that he was a retard for a very long until on of my teacher told me that he isn't and is just a great actor
Rated 06 Mar 2009
teftef
Rated 02 Jul 2009
50
8th
NEVER go full retard.
Rated 02 Jul 2009
fredericg54frederic_g54
Rated 28 May 2007
5
20th
Never go full-retard...
Rated 28 May 2007
battletoadBattleToad
Rated 14 Aug 2007
70
37th
Sean Penn is great, and no one else even comes close to stealing the screen in this film. He makes I Am Sam very sweet and touching, but regardless, it's not very memorable or captivating. Meh!
Rated 14 Aug 2007
cclzaCCLZA
Rated 29 Jan 2007
50
23rd
(Screaming) (Grabbing table and screaming) (Crying). I want my daughter! I WANT MY DAAAAAUGGHTER. I'd like to thank the Academy for giving me this honor and also all the mentally ill people out there for giving me the inspiration. Ok, anyway, just look at this films plot: A mentally sick man pursuits the chance to raise her "brilliant" daughter by himself. Yeah, you read well, they're trying to make us be in his side lol. It's like Little Man's Tate but with Jodie Foster as a retard.
Rated 29 Jan 2007
stainStain
Rated 28 May 2007
50
33rd
We've all seen tearjerkers, but usually they don't do great violence to your tear ducts by jumping in your lap and setting about work removing them with a pair of pliers
Rated 28 May 2007
ytadelYtadel
Rated 14 Aug 2007
2
14th
Retarded.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
alex_watkinsAlex Watkins
Rated 14 Aug 2007
0
3rd
"Are you a retard too?" "No." "How do you know?" "Because he told me." "But he's a retard." "Takes one to know one." Hahahahahahahaha.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
irvinejumpirvinejump
Rated 17 Aug 2008
20
12th
I'm glad I'm NOT Sam, 'cos I don't have be in this pile of turd. weepie of the week fodder
Rated 17 Aug 2008
bizmurphybizmurphy
Rated 14 Aug 2007
40
8th
Contrived, pretentious piece of crap.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
highvalleyhigh_valley
Rated 17 Aug 2009
40
18th
Everybody knows you never go full retard.
Rated 17 Aug 2009
gtown1479gtown1479
Rated 29 Feb 2008
81
74th
Ok this is an exception to the rule for me, because its a sad movie that I actually like. I don't really know why I like it. The kid is the best part of this movie. Its pretty emotional because it had me on the brink at points.
Rated 29 Feb 2008
kafka1325kafka1325
Rated 03 Jun 2007
60
53rd
Movie has many negative sides like bad camera, unnecessary pathetic role Michelle, and it is blame on Nelson. Still fantastic acting Sean Penn and touching story is that what save this movie...
Rated 03 Jun 2007
gordonbombayGordonBombay
Rated 13 Feb 2011
65
39th
This movie is sweet and lovable, but it breaks the oscar rule nuber one: Never Go Full Retard!
Rated 13 Feb 2011
tsvetetsvete
Rated 28 Jul 2015
92
63rd
1
Rated 28 Jul 2015
sellissellis
Rated 14 Jul 2009
24
6th
22 for the Beatles music. 2 because they used a camera.
Rated 14 Jul 2009
walkearthwalkearth
Rated 01 Dec 2011
55
47th
Sean Penn.
Rated 01 Dec 2011
camcleodCAMcleod
Rated 21 Feb 2011
85
59th
A much neglected film; Dakota Fanning and the marvellous Sean Penn have palpable love for each other in their roles as disabled Father and intelligent Daughter, with wonderful and, at times, devastating writing. Supporting turns by Dianne Wiest, Michele Pfeiffer as well as an ensemble of genuinely able disabled actors help to bring a film with real heart [and, in my case, tears] to the screen. A real feel good film!
Rated 21 Feb 2011
galnigalni
Rated 30 Aug 2007
75
73rd
We must thank this movie for let us know Dakota Fanning
Rated 30 Aug 2007
lucluc
Rated 14 Nov 2008
65
43rd
Good movie but not so intresting for me. After 30 minutes I've seen everything and it starts boring me,nevertheless good acting of S.Penn and D.Fanning.
Rated 14 Nov 2008
glumpy99glumpy_99
Rated 09 Apr 2022
69
34th
Immensely frustrating drama comes very close to working, but it feels like a more tough-minded screenplay eager to explore this ethically and emotionally fraught situation was sentimentalised to make it an easier and more “heart-warming” watch, somewhat undermining Penn’s well-realised performance, and the first in a gallery of startlingly mature ones from Fanning. With a well-stacked supporting cast, the intelligent courtroom scenes come alive, and are the highlight of the film.
Rated 09 Apr 2022
rttntomatoesrttntomatoes
Rated 20 Dec 2013
34
12th
Not only does the manipulative I Am Sam oversimplify a complex issue, it drowns it in treacle.
Rated 20 Dec 2013
panzerwolfpanzerwolf
Rated 27 Sep 2009
56
27th
Starts out strongly but falls flat towards the end. But damn, Michelle Pfeiffer is smoking hot!
Rated 27 Sep 2009
oaicoaic
Rated 09 Sep 2013
30
14th
What do they call it? Strawman has a point? Probably the most ridiculous example of oscar bait ever made.
Rated 09 Sep 2013
arthur214arthur214
Rated 30 Nov 2007
80
36th
I am not a Sean Penn fan, but this performance is phenomenal.
Rated 30 Nov 2007
anilegnaanilegna
Rated 14 Aug 2007
82
62nd
Mostly because of the Beatles covers ;)
Rated 14 Aug 2007
onedayflyonedayfly
Rated 28 Jan 2008
81
73rd
Heartwrenching drama of a man struggling to take care of his daughter. LiKED: Sean Penn's acting, humour, musical score. DiSLiKED: at times too sentimental.
Rated 28 Jan 2008
kmcneilKMcNeil
Rated 24 Nov 2008
0
3rd
*Cue violins*
Rated 24 Nov 2008
shippoushippou
Rated 04 Feb 2011
100
99th
The best movie i saw ever. Just this i score 100, cause every time i watch this, i cry.
Rated 04 Feb 2011
staticnzStaticnz
Rated 22 Jun 2007
68
44th
Much too cheesy but nice anyways.
Rated 22 Jun 2007
la_bohemela boheme
Rated 31 Dec 2008
60
22nd
It's not as terrible as it's made out to be . . . mind, that doesn't mean it's GOOD, but I've seen worse.
Rated 31 Dec 2008
luna6ixLuna6ix
Rated 29 May 2008
84
86th
excellent storytelling, some good acting as well. the entire soundtrack of beatles covers is an interesting inclusion. a story that is actually quite unique, and extremely memorable.
Rated 29 May 2008
tedted
Rated 26 Jul 2008
0
0th
What a trainwreck. Some of the very worst cinematography I've ever seen. Ludicrous storyline. Very heavy-handed.
Rated 26 Jul 2008
shittyshitty
Rated 03 Feb 2009
70
28th
Sean Penn did very little acting!
Rated 03 Feb 2009
frojacksonfrojackson
Rated 14 Aug 2007
15
4th
Sean Penn plays himself!
Rated 14 Aug 2007
hahaHaha
Rated 24 Mar 2009
87
77th
Its all about the acting here, and it has it. Boy, does it have it. The story is pretty good as well as the direction One of the bests of 2001. To people who think its offensive; go out and befriend a retarded person. Penn is so accurate it is scary. Tour de Force.
Rated 24 Mar 2009
woodoowoodoo
Rated 24 Jan 2010
10
1st
Despicable, Oscar-pawing crap from the increasingly unwatchable Sean Penn.
Rated 24 Jan 2010
talonmalontalonmalon
Rated 27 Jul 2013
60
29th
A bit of a mushy fest, but still rather nice.
Rated 27 Jul 2013
war_machineWar Machine
Rated 29 Feb 2016
96
98th
rvw. still makes me cry a few times. ending coulda been more powerful in a more definitive way and they coulda milked me with their reunion better lol. kept putting off misremembering it being sadder but it's not really. prob at least 97 next time. this was feb 2021
Rated 29 Feb 2016
movieboymovieboy
Rated 12 Feb 2011
76
94th
I could watch the movie just for the Beatles covers. Penn is good, of course. Dakota Fanning is also fabulous as always.
Rated 12 Feb 2011
kebramonekeb_ramone
Rated 31 Dec 2010
85
50th
Ótimas atuações de Dakota Fanning e Sean Penn.
Rated 31 Dec 2010
bigbearBigbear
Rated 19 Aug 2007
85
43rd
Those with mental deficiencies can love as much or more so than "normal" people.
Rated 19 Aug 2007
stflyst_fly
Rated 21 Aug 2007
70
69th
Good
Rated 21 Aug 2007
martrynmartryn
Rated 26 Mar 2007
67
43rd
Not a huge fan of Sean Penn. I liked the rest of the casting, though.
Rated 26 Mar 2007
masloprojektmasloprojekt
Rated 13 Apr 2010
100
97th
Zdecydowanie, konieczne. Praktycznie za kazdym razem placze...
Rated 13 Apr 2010
jimmynmujimmynmu
Rated 14 Aug 2007
29
16th
Corny, stupid and sappy. I wish they didn't use the Beatles' music either, as they did a terrible job with it.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
glm01glm01
Rated 08 Jun 2015
82
71st
81.500
Rated 08 Jun 2015
rodney_jRodney J.
Rated 09 Jul 2021
91
48th
DVD-worthy
Rated 09 Jul 2021
tinythedoggtinythedogg
Rated 05 Feb 2011
100
99th
For me, this movie touched me and gave me reminders of the trials and tribulations that I had faced at one time in my life. The cast was wonderful, especially Sean Penn and Dakota Fanning. I didn't really see any weakness and I truely felt the emotion of the characters. So worth the watch.
Rated 05 Feb 2011
sirstuckeySirStuckey
Rated 03 Jun 2017
50
23rd
i don't care
Rated 03 Jun 2017
adrianavbadrianavb
Rated 28 Feb 2007
69
69th
Well done Dakota. "Great job Sam".
Rated 28 Feb 2007
eric_janeric-jan
Rated 25 Jan 2009
70
54th
Moving.
Rated 25 Jan 2009
metismetis
Rated 06 Aug 2021
70
45th
7??2016.12.13/7?????????????/?????
Rated 06 Aug 2021
iyisinekiyisinek
Rated 13 Nov 2011
70
42nd
gerizekali, baba-kiz, mahkeme, avukat (gerizekali bir adam olan sam'in bir kizi olur. kizin annesi sam'i terk eder. Sam kizi büyütür. Ama devlet kizi Sam'den alacaktir. Duygusal bir film) Türkce dublajli izlemeseydim daha iyi olurdu.
Rated 13 Nov 2011
mentaculusMentaculus
Rated 10 Sep 2008
38
13th
Award bait alert.
Rated 10 Sep 2008
freqflyerfreqflyer
Rated 14 Dec 2009
5
11th
Absurd.
Rated 14 Dec 2009
lady_moeLady Moe
Rated 20 Jan 2011
60
20th
Maybe it is manipulative, but the performances are so good and the story is so sad that it's hard for me not to be taken by it. Sean Penn is, as usual, outstanding. Just enjoy it for what it is and don't be so critical.
Rated 20 Jan 2011
wasarawasara
Rated 10 Aug 2009
86
84th
86
Rated 10 Aug 2009
daesanyeDaeSanye
Rated 14 Aug 2007
2
2nd
You never go Full Retard...
Rated 14 Aug 2007
marianaMariana!
Rated 31 Jul 2008
99
98th
Simplemente hermosa!!!!!!!
Rated 31 Jul 2008
mistymornMistyMorn
Rated 04 Jul 2008
95
34th
Sean Penn is worth his weight in gold in the little gem of a film. The plot and acting are perfect. Dare you not to shed a tear....
Rated 04 Jul 2008
plusdrolePlus_Drole
Rated 26 Feb 2017
92
97th
This is what acting is. It isn't hard to believe when watching this, that's why you cry so much. If you want to have your faith in humanity screwed around with, watch this movie.
Rated 26 Feb 2017
bircaniscanBircaniscan
Rated 02 Aug 2017
70
49th
Great performance by the gifted Sean Penn, the supporting roles are filled out by good actors and actresses. Maybe these facts makes the lapses forgivable but this movie is not more than a TV movie to me. I think it has no grounding in reality.
Rated 02 Aug 2017
realmacgyverRealMacgyver
Rated 31 Dec 2008
90
94th
Great film packed with brilliant actors. When I went in I wasn't particularly expecting anything great. It's another oscar bait movie with an actor being retarded, but I was pleasently surprised.
Rated 31 Dec 2008
aledaniellialedanielli
Rated 28 Jan 2009
50
22nd
A interpretação de Sean Penn vale o filme.
Rated 28 Jan 2009
willxcorewillxcore
Rated 02 Jan 2009
70
29th
Didn't realize this was almost universally hated. I thought it was alright but I'm a sucker about feeling sympathy for the underdog in movies like this. Penn's acting is great but the rest of it is so-so.
Rated 02 Jan 2009
anselmi86Anselmi86
Rated 28 Jul 2009
70
51st
Insanely sentimental and an overwrought performance by Penn, but still a lot to enjoy, including an incredible performance by Fanning.
Rated 28 Jul 2009
slantmagSlantMag
Rated 25 Nov 2010
20
41st
"I Am Sam is the green eggs and ham rendition of the custody battle melodrama" - Ed Gonzalez
Rated 25 Nov 2010
thedicemanTheDiceman
Rated 16 Feb 2007
50
35th
Good film.
Rated 16 Feb 2007
hansmolemanhansmoleman
Rated 14 Aug 2007
32
9th
There's an easy joke in here about the role Sean Penn was born to play that I won't elucidate.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
pompousasspompousass
Rated 26 May 2009
0
12th
Queasy-making entertainment. And not only, or even largely, because of the jiggly, jostly, zoomy, freeze-frame-y camerawork under Nelson. No: Penn's impression of a mental defective, complete with a new whisk-broom haircut to add to his tonsorial portfolio, no doubt offers many rewards, not the least of which is the license to laugh with impunity at the less fortunate. It is somewhat reminiscent, in its levels of observational detail and skill in mimicry, of Rooney's memorable performance Bill.
Rated 26 May 2009
guru_snaishGuru Snaish
Rated 20 Nov 2007
92
67th
Oh my goodness...this film blew me apart.
Rated 20 Nov 2007
glmglm
Rated 02 Jan 2011
58
25th
58.000
Rated 02 Jan 2011
svnhfsvnhf
Rated 13 Jan 2014
53
29th
Sean Penn does an excellent acting job, as does the people around him - especially impressed with Dakota Fanning as Lucy. However, the extremely dodgy camera-work, the predictable story and the over-sentimentality eventually makes you want to puke; it is mushy, it feels so fake and seems more exploitation than compassion in places. So yeah, obvious Oscar-bait with some shining gems here and there but ultimately an insulting movie that offers little of value and much speculation.
Rated 13 Jan 2014
spoonerspotspoonerspot
Rated 14 Aug 2007
76
36th
Awww
Rated 14 Aug 2007
bodaggerBo_Dagger
Rated 18 Apr 2008
0
13th
I was sure I had already rated this a 0 once, and said how much I hate feel-good Hollywood bullshit.
Rated 18 Apr 2008
lordcrow8LordCrow_8
Rated 09 Dec 2015
44
13th
Boring as hell
Rated 09 Dec 2015
stevekimesstevekimes
Rated 28 Feb 2011
90
88th
Lovingly sentimental.
Rated 28 Feb 2011
billyshearsBillyShears
Rated 09 Apr 2008
35
8th
we r tarded
Rated 09 Apr 2008
robotjazzrobotjazz
Rated 17 May 2007
59
38th
Perhaps a little bit too "color-by-number", but Penn does a good job.
Rated 17 May 2007
smr5354smr5354
Rated 14 Aug 2007
70
36th
This was a sweet film with a great performance by Penn and Pfeifer and the kid were good as well.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
kgbelliveaukgbelliveau
Rated 17 Dec 2009
90
82nd
Sean Penn is perfect, such a brillaint crafted love story. A man tries to overcome his own difficculties to be able to support his daughter, there is only so much one can do though.
Rated 17 Dec 2009
vv238vv238
Rated 07 Oct 2018
38
37th
It's got everything you would expect from Hollywood making a film about someone with a mental handicap. It gets everything wrong in order to tell a story so predictable you can see the poster and know every story beat. It is watchable but the cookie-cutter formula is very old at this point.
Rated 07 Oct 2018
majid1989majid1989
Rated 06 Aug 2018
57
33rd
???? ???? ???? ??? ???? ??????? ??????? ???
Rated 06 Aug 2018
dustydDustyd
Rated 16 Sep 2007
50
22nd
well acted, but not very smart. Did Sam write it as well?
Rated 16 Sep 2007
matthagenmatthagen
Rated 11 Mar 2020
40
19th
Seen: 2. I know I saw this twice, because I was somewhat intrigued the first time. The melodrama is just too much.
Rated 11 Mar 2020
nandorizzinandorizzi
Rated 06 Jun 2008
70
61st
Far from being a masterpiece, the movie moves and conquers the viewer for the human drama of his story and for the great acting of Sean Penn.
Rated 06 Jun 2008
dragon316dragon316
Rated 10 Feb 2020
0
5th
I did not see this movie as well
Rated 10 Feb 2020
ivyyivyy
Rated 13 Oct 2008
90
98th
agla agla icim cikti böhü
Rated 13 Oct 2008

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