Some roles in movies are made for actors whether it's written for them a certain way or they are just perfect for the part. Sometimes it seems that there isn't an actor at all, it's just a person being filmed, not a person acting. This is the case with Sean Penn in I Am Sam.
I Am Sam follows a mentally handicapped man named Sam Dawson (Penn) who tries to keep custody of his child Lucy Diamond(Dakota Fanning), named after one of Sam's favorite Beatles' songs. Sam has been a good single father to Lucy since she was born. They do everything together like reading one of Sam's favorite books Green Eggs and Ham. With the help of those around him like Annie Cassell (Diane Wiest), Sam raises Lucy in a very loving environment. When Lucy turns seven and starts to realize what is wrong with her daddy, she becomes a little concerned that she will get too smart for him. Sam doesn't know what is going on due to his handicap until it is too late. At her birthday party, she is taken away from social services and the two are split apart.
Sam needs the help of a good lawyer and finds one in the yellow pages thanks to one of his buddies. He goes to see Rita Harrison (Michelle Phiffer), a lawyer who never loses who ends up taking the case pro bono so the office doesn't think she does this all for money. The two of them seem to be on two separate pages when it comes to life. Sam feels like everyone is against him, including Rita. All Rita wants is to win the case and win her family back. They both learn a lot about each other and about life in general as the case goes on.
Penn is outstanding in this role, which got him an Oscar nomination. This movie really hits home giving the viewer a lot to enjoy. Penn is a character that you like and feel bad for all at the same time (much like Forrest Gump). Penn, an Oscar-winning actor, gives another one of his great performances showing how a dedicated actor can really make or break a movie. Young Dakota Fanning is also one to be reckoned with. This little actress has been appearing in movies left and right as of late and she means business. Only seven years old in I Am Sam and she gives a performance that is better than some actresses can give in a life time. Phiffer also does a fantastic job as the never give up lawyer. Her transformation in this movie really shows a lot of character.
I Am Sam is a real tearjerker. Penn makes you believe that there is still some good left in this world. For those looking for a feel good movie, this is the one for you. I Am Sam will find its way into your heart because just like the Beatles' song says, "All you need is love...", and that's just what Sam shows us.
I Am Sam follows a mentally handicapped man named Sam Dawson (Penn) who tries to keep custody of his child Lucy Diamond(Dakota Fanning), named after one of Sam's favorite Beatles' songs. Sam has been a good single father to Lucy since she was born. They do everything together like reading one of Sam's favorite books Green Eggs and Ham. With the help of those around him like Annie Cassell (Diane Wiest), Sam raises Lucy in a very loving environment. When Lucy turns seven and starts to realize what is wrong with her daddy, she becomes a little concerned that she will get too smart for him. Sam doesn't know what is going on due to his handicap until it is too late. At her birthday party, she is taken away from social services and the two are split apart.
Sam needs the help of a good lawyer and finds one in the yellow pages thanks to one of his buddies. He goes to see Rita Harrison (Michelle Phiffer), a lawyer who never loses who ends up taking the case pro bono so the office doesn't think she does this all for money. The two of them seem to be on two separate pages when it comes to life. Sam feels like everyone is against him, including Rita. All Rita wants is to win the case and win her family back. They both learn a lot about each other and about life in general as the case goes on.
Penn is outstanding in this role, which got him an Oscar nomination. This movie really hits home giving the viewer a lot to enjoy. Penn is a character that you like and feel bad for all at the same time (much like Forrest Gump). Penn, an Oscar-winning actor, gives another one of his great performances showing how a dedicated actor can really make or break a movie. Young Dakota Fanning is also one to be reckoned with. This little actress has been appearing in movies left and right as of late and she means business. Only seven years old in I Am Sam and she gives a performance that is better than some actresses can give in a life time. Phiffer also does a fantastic job as the never give up lawyer. Her transformation in this movie really shows a lot of character.
I Am Sam is a real tearjerker. Penn makes you believe that there is still some good left in this world. For those looking for a feel good movie, this is the one for you. I Am Sam will find its way into your heart because just like the Beatles' song says, "All you need is love...", and that's just what Sam shows us.