I Am Sam (2002)Movies

Movies from Film Forum, 01/24/02This season's second drama about a mentally handicapped man stars Sean Penn in the challenging lead role. I Am Sam was directed by Jessie Nelson and co-stars Michelle Pfeiffer as an aggressive attorney who helps her struggling client try to keep custody of his seven-year-old daughter in spite of his ailment.The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' critic writes, "Nelson's feel-good tearjerker refreshingly maintains the importance of love in a parent-child relationship, but a few Hollywood-esque contrivances strike false notes in an otherwise fine film."Tom Snyder (Movieguide) concludes, "The final message of this powerful, poignant movie is that love brings people together, including, sometimes, apparent enemies. This is a fabulous premise for what is one of...