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.
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Character
Earnest, classical in form, contemporary and spare.
- earnestironic
- classical in formformally daring
- contemporarynostalgic
- sparerichly built
- gravecomic
Who loves it, who doesn't
17 profiled raters. Loved most by The Sinceres; disliked most by The Cartographers.
Where do you stand?
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“Is Sean Penn the best thing in I Am Sam?”
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“Is I Am Sam too earnest?”
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“Would a little humor have helped?”
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A yes-or-no question, answered from what people wrote here, on TMDB and on Wikipedia. Never made up.
Reviews
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Reviews on TMDB
Written by TMDB members; each links to the original. Not part of Tastebuds's numbers.
- Key-Sion TMDB · Nov 201810/10
"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.
Read the whole review on TMDB
Cast
- Sean PennSam Dawson
- Michelle PfeifferRita Harrison Williams
- Dianne WiestAnnie Cassell
- Dakota FanningLucy Diamond Dawson
- Richard SchiffMr. Turner
- Loretta DevineMargaret Calgrove
- Marin HinklePatricia
- Laura DernRandy Carpenter
- Brad SilvermanBrad
- Joseph RosenbergJoe
Crew
- Jessie NelsonDirector
- Jessie NelsonScreenplay
- Kristine JohnsonScreenplay
- Elliot DavisDirector of Photography
- John PowellOriginal Music Composer
- Richard ChewEditor
- Jessie NelsonProducer
- Richard SolomonProducer
- Edward ZwickProducer
Where to watch
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Pairings
Companions we picked from the closest works, and how to take them.
Similar in taste
Closest on the same fourteen dimensions, from everything scored on Tastebuds Other media included when they land close.
A Late Quartet 201282% alikeBoth classical in form, earnest, grave.
The Other Woman 201080% alikeBoth contemporary, earnest, classical in form.
Goodbye June 202579% alikeBoth contemporary, classical in form, earnest.
He Got Game 199879% alikeBoth contemporary, classical in form, earnest.
Only You 201979% alikeBoth contemporary, earnest, classical in form.
Come See Me in the Good Light 202579% alikeBoth classical in form, contemporary, earnest.
Black or White 201578% alikeBoth earnest, classical in form, contemporary.
The Soloist 200978% alikeBoth contemporary, classical in form, earnest.
My Mister 201877% alikeTelevision · Both contemporary, earnest, classical in form.
Normal People 202077% alikeTelevision · Both contemporary, earnest, classical in form.
Often watched with
Recommendations from TMDB. Opening one adds it to Tastebuds
