There are too many contrived “not without my daughter” speeches, and the line between empathy and sympathy or pity is crossed too often.Īlongside learning disability stereotypes (childlike innocence paired with profound insights and wisdom) come the hooker with the heart of gold, the court psychologist with problems of her own, the successful lawyer needing emotional succour, evil social services, and the demonic public prosecutor (Richard Schiff). No doubt the filmmakers wanted it all to be “real”-to establish Sam's dignity as a person and a parent-but it just doesn't happen. Director Jessie Nelson has described how Silverman began to cry during the filming of a courtroom scene, distressed that anyone could challenge Sam's ability to be a good parent. Sam's friends are also “mentally challenged” and some of these are played by actors with learning disabilities, not least Brad Allan Silverman. Court proceedings are inevitable: this is America. This does not prevent him from raising a child (Dakota Fanning) virtually on his own until she turns seven (his mental age) and “outgrows him.” Their lives have been idyllic and invisible until Sam is wrongfully arrested for soliciting. Sam (Sean Penn) has moderate learning disabilities and cannot brew coffee or reliably cross town on a bus. No one sets out to make a bad film-it just happens, and I Am Sam is a real mess.
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