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I am Sam challenges the traditional ideals of what a family should be by showing the birth and upbringing of a young girl, (named Lucy Diamond Dawson after her father's love of all things Beatles) by a mentally challenged man, Samuel Dawson. Problems arise when Lucy begins to surpass her father in abilities. Family and Children's Services intervenes, and Sam finds himself in the fight of his life; to keep his daughter.
I have been lamenting the lack of nominations for Blackhawk Down. I have bemoaned wan MacGregor's conspicuous absence on the nominees list this year. Now I have another blunder to add to my list of complaints; where in the world is Michelle Pfieffer's (The Fabulous Baker Boys, Ladyhawke) name in the Best Actress category? Here is a strong female role, tailor made for Pfieffer's abilities to be emotionally tough, and yet have a softer side. As Rita Harrison, the lawyer who takes Sam's case free of charge, Pfeiffer creates a married, (but emotionally single) mom that everyone can identify with. This must have been a challenging role, for Pfieffer's character is in a almost constant state of flux from the moment that Sam arrives on the scene. Her beliefs are challenged, she re-evaluates her life, almost it seems, like a midlife crisis happening at the age of thirty. A superb job by Pfieffer. Doug Hutchinson, (or as the X-Files fans out there will know him "Tooms") is absolutely beguiling as Sam's friend Ifty. As the gentle soul trapped inside a mind obsessed with movies, Hutchinson becomes this role with as much ease as he handled the role of the villainous prison guard in The Green Mile. Here is a character actor waiting for the right role to bring him to light. Walking into this movie, I was absolutely determined not to cry. I held out for a greater period than some of my fellow theatre goers I am proud to say (coming from someone who bursts into tears at long distance commercials, it is an impressive achievement). The authority and emotion of the climax is absolutely incredible. It's difficult to watch, but is so very worth it, if for nothing else than to watch Penn, a master of his craft at work. Sean Penn is truly at the top of his form here, creating a role that will stick in your heart for quite some time after the cinema lights come up. You find yourself rooting for Sam, as, on Oscar night, you'll root for the bad boy.
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Sean
Penn (Casualties of War, State of Grace) stars as Samuel
Dawson, and completely disappears into this role. This was a unique experience
for me, as there were moments in this movie when I actually wished for
a lesser actor on screen for Penn is so good, that he physically hurts
to watch. His ability to slip into the characters he is portraying is perfect
in every way. (Find me one person who wasn't in tears by Penn's final scenes
in Dead Man Walking and I'll find you a person who hasn't seen it
yet.) His power is no different here. I've never seen a character so irresistibly
charming, and so emotionally devastating all at once. He is, and very deservedly
so, nominated for the Best Actor Oscar for this role, but because Penn
has always shown such relish in being the staunchly anti-Hollywood bad
boy it will be a HUGE surprise to me if he wins.