I AM SAM

I do like Sam
oh, yes I do.
I really liked “I am Sam”
and you will too.
Its message speaks
to moms and dads.
When the story peaks
it will make you sad.
You could try a matinee.
You could see it yet today.
You should try it
if you can.
I think you’ll like
“I am Sam”.

We have all read the legendary book by Dr. Suess entitled Green Eggs and Ham. The story starts out with the line “I am Sam” and continues with Sam’s quest to get his leery friend to try an unusual looking breakfast.

The movie, “I am Sam,” is a journey to convince a reluctant society to trust someone who is mentally challenged with the responsibility of parenthood. I know that most parents struggle to make wise decisions for the welfare of their child. The message of “I am Sam” is more than your typical get-out-the-handkerchief movie. It carefully re-examines the relational themes of love, patience, and devotion. This analytical process may be difficult for those that would like to be identified with our handicapped caregiver, but find the self-absorbed lawyer closer to the truth.

Our story begins with Sam (Sean Penn) as a Starbucks coffee clerk and the mental capacity of a 7-year old. He dashes off from his job to arrive at the hospital just in time to see his daughter being born. Her birth is the result of a one-night stand with a “homeless” woman. The details are thin, but that is not the point of this plot. Sam is asked to name his child and he makes his first of several Beatle dedications by calling her Lucy. A mom who has different plans abandons our innocent father and daughter. Sam’s friends all pitch in to help him raise Lucy (Dakota Fanning) with strong doses of love and support. Dianne West plays a kindly neighbor and helps Sam organize Lucy’s schedule according to TV programs. Lucy grows up and quickly realizes that her dad is different. She enjoys the fact that he takes the time to play at the park, but she struggles over giving explanations to her peers. Sam’s mental problems come to the attention of the state when the school believes that Lucy has stopped learning. Their hypothesis is that she is afraid to surpass her father’s intellectual abilities. Children’s Services steps in and places Lucy in a foster home. They quickly become Sam’s Goliath to overcome. Sam must now find a lawyer and try to win Lucy back.

Rita Harrison (Michelle Pfeiffer) is our pushy lawyer who backs herself into a corner and takes the case “pro bono.” While she is trying to win Sam’s case, on a personal level she is losing her own family. Yes, some of this feel-good story is contrived, but the acting is so well done that you will forgive most of the plot weaknesses.

I have two primary objections to the film: firstly—the extremely strong dose of religious exclamations (the Lord’s name is taken in vain several times); and secondly—there is a shameless abundance of “product recognition” in this film. Many name brands are shoved in the viewers face as if this were an infomercial. It is a decent flic and if it’s message helps adults re-evaluate their priorities as a parent, then it will be worth the trip.

The “PG-13” rating should be observed. I was very uncomfortable with the amount of G-d’s (about 14 instances). But many may be even more awkward with the simple pleasures our children long for—our TIME.

Year of Release—2002