Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #3894 in DVD
• Released on: 2002-10-28
• Rating: Suitable for 12 years and over
• Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Formats: Anamorphic, PAL, Widescreen
• Original language: English
• Subtitled in: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 127 minutes

Special Features
1.85 Wide Screen
16:9 Anamorphic Wide Screen
English
Region 2
Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround English\Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround English
Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround
Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround
Directors Commentary
Deleted Scenes
Alternate Scenes
Original Documentaries
Theatrical Press Kit
Trailer
English

Synopsis
Actor Sean Penn displays another facet of his versatility as the title character of this inspirational tearjerker--a mentally handicapped father fighting for custody of his young daughter (Dakota Fanning). The child welfare board of his native Santa Monica has taken her from him, worried that at eight years old she has already begun to pass him in intellectual development. Sam's argument is that it's not brains but love that counts, and his case is taken by a stressed-out hot shot lawyer named Rita (Michelle Pfeiffer) who has her own problems dealing with her rebellious son. Anchored by his infectious love of the Beatles, the ceaselessly enthusiastic Sam becomes a positive influence on Rita as he raises a lot of questions about what's most important as a parent. Though it's Penn's show, Pfeiffer is so good she practically steals the film from him, and the startlingly precocious Fanning is not far behind. A warm soundtrack of Beatles covers and clever, fast-cut editing help the message of love and forgiveness shine through.

Customer Reviews

All you need is love.
I am Sam is a film which follows the story of a man with the mental age of a seven year old, as he attempts to regain custody of his own seven year old daughter. This film is beautifully crafted and where sentimental could have become mushy Sean Penn ,Dakota Fanning and the rest of a brilliant cast stop this happening. I think that Sean Penns' portrayal of Sam far outshines similar performances such as Dustin Hoffman in rain man. All in all this is a highly entertaining and enjoyable film , well worth a viewing with an excellent cast.

"I am Sam "makes you think!
As an ex-social worker and now a Children's Guardian I could not remain unmoved by this movie. It once again points out the power of true and unconditional parental love and how having a learning dissibility does not neccessary disqualify you for being a good parent. It force everybody to look at themselves before casting judgment on somebody else and I urge all social workers to watch this and take into account some of the lessons in this movie before making life altering decisions for children. Also a good movie for children's solicitors.

Wow!
A friend lent me this film and I had to admit, I'd never heard of it and wasn't sure what to expect. I laughed and cried my way through the film. I cannot begin to put into words the fabulous performance of Sean Penn playing an Autistic father with the mental age of 7, you totally believe in him and he should have won an oscar for his portrayal. A brilliant film from the opening credits to the end, a must for anyone's DVD collection!!