
“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.
Release Date: 12/28/2001
Runtime: 132 minutes
Languages: English
Director: Jessie Nelson
Budget: $22.0M
Revenue: $92.5M
Companies: New Line Cinema, Bedford Falls Productions, Red Fish, Blue Fish Films, "Sam" Productions
Countries: United States of America, Germany
Key-Si
"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.

Sean Penn
Sam Dawson

Michelle Pfeiffer
Rita Harrison Williams

Dianne Wiest
Annie Cassell

Dakota Fanning
Lucy Diamond Dawson

Richard Schiff
Mr. Turner

Loretta Devine
Margaret Calgrove

Marin Hinkle
Patricia

Laura Dern
Randy Carpenter

Brad Silverman
Brad
Joseph Rosenberg
Joe

Stanley DeSantis
Robert

Doug Hutchison
Ifty
2004