I Am Sam (2001): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot
I Am Sam is a 2001 drama directed by Jessie Nelson, starring Sean Penn and Michelle Pfeiffer. It runs 2 hours 12 minutes and earned $97.8 million worldwide. It won 1 award from 4 nominations, including Best Young Actor/Actress at the Critics' Choice 2002. Critics gave it 28 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.6/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 2h 12m (132 min)
- Director
- Jessie Nelson
- Genre
- Drama
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- New Line Cinema
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is I Am Sam About?
The premise of I Am Sam without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
Sam Dawson, a mentally challenged man, unexpectedly becomes a father to a young daughter named Lucy. When Lucy's future is threatened, Sam must fight for custody, challenging societal expectations and legal proceedings. He enlists the support of a dedicated lawyer and a diverse group of friends who believe in his ability to be a loving parent. The story explores the power of family, the definition of parenthood, and the importance of unwavering love.
I Am Sam Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- child custody
- single father
- custody battle
- foster parent
- father daughter relationship
- lawyer
- disability
- fear of learning
- hatred
- overhead camera shot
- pizzeria
- diaper change
+38 more Show fewer
- coffeeshop
- coffeeshop manager
- president
- watching tv
- elementary school
- recess
- referee
- stuffed animal toy
- adulterous husband
- schoolteacher
- starbucks coffee
- 7 eleven store
- slow motion scene
- intellectually disabled
- cartoon on tv
- reference to dr. seuss
- female director
- female filmmaker
- parent with an intellectual disability
- man with an intellectual disability
- father with an intellectual disability
- person with an intellectual disability
- person with a disability
- father with a disability
- man with a disability
- parent with a disability
- adult with an intellectual disability
- adult with a disability
- intellectual disability
- intellectually disabled protagonist
- love
- reference to the beatles
- hospital
- pro bono
- custody
- abusive childhood
- abbey road album cover recreation
- title directed by female
I Am Sam Cast
Sean Penn leads the cast, with Michelle Pfeiffer. Directed by Jessie Nelson.
- Director Jessie Nelson
More from Jessie Nelson
More films directed by Jessie Nelson, best-rated first: Love the Coopers and Corrina, Corrina.
I Am Sam Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave I Am Sam 28 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.6/10.
-
IMDb 7.6 /10
See on IMDb -
Metacritic 28 Metascore
User score 6.6
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 76% User score
See on TMDB
I Am Sam Plot Summary
What happens in I Am Sam from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Sam Dawson, portrayed by Sean Penn, is a caring father living in Los Angeles, who faces the challenges of raising his daughter Lucy, played by Dakota Fanning, after her birth mother abandons them. Despite Sam’s mental age being that of a seven-year-old child, he provides a loving environment for Lucy. As she starts to intellectually surpass him, concerns about Sam’s ability to care for Lucy come to light, leading to a custody battle in court.
Full summary
The whole story of I Am Sam, scene by scene
I Am Sam Box Office
I Am Sam grossed $97.8 million worldwide. $40.3 million came from the US and Canada and $57.5 million (59%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$97.8M
- US & Canada
- $40.3M
- International
- $57.5M
I Am Sam Awards & Nominations
I Am Sam won 1 award from 4 nominations, including Best Young Actor/Actress at the Critics' Choice 2002. Its biggest night was the Critics' Choice 2002, with 1 win from 2 nominations.
1 win4 nominations2 ceremonies
-
Critics' Choice 2002 1 win · 2 nominations- Won Best Young Actor/Actress – Dakota Fanning
- Nominated Best Actor – Sean Penn
-
Actor Awards (SAG) 2002 2 nominations- Nominated Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role – Dakota Fanning
- Nominated Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role – Sean Penn
I Am Sam Trailers & Videos
The trailer of I Am Sam.
How Well Do You Know I Am Sam?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What is Sam Dawson's cognitive age?
Cars in I Am Sam
15 cars on screen, including the 1998 Neoplan AN 440 CNG Transliner and the 1999 Porsche 911 Carrera Cabrio 996.
-
1998 Neoplan AN 440 CNG Transliner Important role -
1999 Porsche 911 Carrera Cabrio 996 Important role -
1999 Ford Crown Victoria Minor role -
1986 GMDD T8H-5307A Minor role
I Am Sam Also Known As
36 alternative titles, including “Yo Soy Sam” and “Yo Soy Sam [I Am Sam]”.
- Also known as
-
- Yo Soy Sam
- Yo Soy Sam [I Am Sam]
- I Am Sam - A Força do Amor
- Sam je sui sam
- 不一样的爸爸
- 아이엠샘
- Τ' όνομά μου είναι Σαμ
- Ich bin Sam
- Mi chiamo Sam
- Sam, je suis Sam
- Я - Сэм
- Nevem Sam
+24 more Show fewer
- 我是山姆
- Benim Adım Sam
- Зовем се Сем
- Ja som Sam
- Jmenuji se Sam
- Sam
- קוראים לי סאם
- 아이 엠 샘
- Τ' Ονομά μου Είναι Σαμ
- アイ・アム・サム
- Uma Lição de Amor
- Я — Сем
- Аз съм Сам
- 他不笨，他是我爸爸
- Aš esu Semas
- 不一樣的爸爸
- Es esmu Sems
- Mi nombre es Sam
- Je suis Sam
- Gà Trống Nuôi Con
- أنا سام
- สุภาพบุรุษปัญญานิ่ม
- Ja sam Sam, მე მქვია სემი
- Em dic Sam
Seen I Am Sam?
Movies Like I Am Sam
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Life According to Sam, Sam & Kate and Sam’s Son.
I Am Sam FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of I Am Sam, each answered in a sentence.
How long is I Am Sam?
I Am Sam runs 2 hours 12 minutes (132 minutes).
When was I Am Sam released?
I Am Sam was released on December 28, 2001.
Who directed I Am Sam?
I Am Sam was directed by Jessie Nelson.
More films by Jessie Nelson Who is in the cast of I Am Sam?
I Am Sam stars Sean Penn and Michelle Pfeiffer.
How much did I Am Sam make at the box office?
I Am Sam grossed $97.8 million worldwide ($40.3 million domestic, $57.5 million international).
How is I Am Sam rated?
I Am Sam has 7.6/10 on IMDb, 28 on Metacritic and 76% on TMDB.
What awards did I Am Sam win?
I Am Sam won 1 award from 4 nominations, including Best Young Actor/Actress at the Critics' Choice 2002.
Does I Am Sam have a post-credit scene?
No. I Am Sam has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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