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I Am Sam

2001 · Movie · PG-13 · 132 min · ★ 7.6 · 32% critics

Drama

Sam is a neurodivergent man raising his daughter after her mother leaves them, and his limitations as a parent soon come under scrutiny. With the help of a high-priced lawyer who takes his case pro bono, he fights for his family and learns what love and support can mean for both of them.

IMDb

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Not currently available to stream in the US.

2 hours to watch.

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Details
Years
2001
Release date
2001-12-28
Language
English
Rated
PG-13
Runtime
132 min
Critic score
32/100
TMDB rating
7.6/10 (2,507 votes)
Box office
$97,818,139
Budget
$22,000,000
About

You’ll likely like this emotional family drama if you enjoy heartfelt, tear-soaked fights for love and parenting; Not for you if you dislike heavy crying or prefer logical, tightly paced courtroom stories, similar in feel to White Oleander or Patch Adams.

Pros: powerful performances; tear-jerking story; heartfelt relationship | Cons: pacing drags; sentimental manipulation; running time long

Themes

  • mentally disabled
  • foster parents
  • lawyer
  • pro bono
  • social services
  • coffee shop manager
  • pizza hut
  • children's book
  • locked door
  • child custody
  • woman director
  • father daughter relationship
  • +1 more

Awards & recognition

  • Producers Guild Stanley Kramer Award · 2002
  • Academy Award — Best Actor · 2002 · nominated

Cast & crew

Directed by Jessie Nelson