Review of I Am Sam (2001) by Robbie R — 17 Jan 2011

"I Am Sam" is a very well done film, but only because of one reason. The performances were great. I personally felt that the acting all around was excellent. If we had any different actors in this film, the movie would seem like a cheap Hollywood attempt at capturing the hearts of viewers with a man's mental disability, with predictable sub-plots and contrived emotions. But like I said, the acting job by Sean Penn, and Michelle Pfeiffer held the movie together.

So basically, Sean Penn plays a man who's mental capacity is that of a seven year old. His daughter, played by Dakota Fanning is turning seven soon, and she begins to realize that it's tough communicating with her father. When people realize that she is pretending to lack in knowledge when it comes to her studies, because she wants to stay with her father, it seems that the courts won't allow her to stay with him. Desperate for a lawyer, Penn turns to Pfeiffer, who's this big shot defense lawyer or something like that, but after a lot of agitation, she takes up the case, and they grow a relationship with each other, while at the same time, attempting to gain custody of the child. So I know, the plot sounds ridiculous. On paper this movie sounds horrible, because it just seems so textbook, and unoriginal.

But like I said, the performances really saved it. Sean Penn can really do anything. He's one of the best actors in recent times, and he really puts all of his emotions into a performances. His enduring characters really enthrall the viewer into what's happening. I'm usually not a fan of Pfeiffer, but I actually thought that she was pretty good in this movie. Scenes where she breaks down from stress are very well done, and she's extremely believable. Dakota Fanning is pretty good because she gives off that sophisticated attitude that viewers are all accustomed to now, because all kids are doing this in films nowadays.

What I thought was kind of ridiculous about this movie was all the John Lennon references. I thought that maybe they thought this was a good way of explaining how Penn's character retains moral information, but I thought it was way too corny. Actually, why am I talking about this? I already explained how this movie would be horrible if it weren't for Penn.

So basically that sums it up. If you replace ANYONE with Sean Penn in this movie, than it would have been a complete bomb of a film. The movie is ridiculously corny, predictable in cheap, but his performance is so amazing that you really have to like it. He really makes you tear up, and it's really amazing how he can make a potentially horrible film good. Anyway, if you can't take the overall tone of ridiculous predictability than stay away. I watched the movie with that thought in my mind, but I was really impressed with his performance. I don't know...watch it or don't...