I Am Sam (2001)
Coming Out at 4 January 2002 in theaters.
Drama
I Am Sam is drama film written and directed by Jessie Nelson, and starring Sean Penn as a father with an intellectual disability, Dakota Fanning as his bright and inquisitive daughter, and Michelle Pfeiffer as his lawyer. Dianne Wiest, Loretta Devine, Richard Schiff, and Laura Dern appear in supporting roles.
Jessie Nelson and Kristine Johnson, who co-wrote the screenplay, researched the issues facing adults with intellectual disabilities by visiting the non-profit organization L.A. GOAL (Greater Opportunities for the Advanced Living). They subsequently cast two actors with disabilities, Brad Silverman and Joe Rosenberg, in key roles.
For his new role as Sam, Penn was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor at the 74th Academy Awards in 2002. The film launched the career of child actress Dakota Fanning, who was then seven years old and had only acted in two small roles. She became the youngest actress to be nominated for a Screen Actors Guild Award. The movie’s title is derived from the opening lines “I am Sam / Sam I am” of the book Green Eggs and Ham, which is read in the movie. The film received negative reviews from critics.
Director: Jessie Nelson
Writers: Kristine Johnson, Jessie Nelson
Stars: Sean Penn, Michelle Pfeiffer, Dakota Fanning, Dianne Wiest, Loretta Devine, Richard Schiff, Laura Dern
Cast:
| Sean Penn | … | Sam Dawson |
| Michelle Pfeiffer | … | Rita |
| Dakota Fanning | … | Lucy |
| Dianne Wiest | … | Annie |
| Loretta Devine | … | Margaret Calgrove |
| Richard Schiff | … | Turner |
| Laura Dern | … | Randy Carpenter |
| Brad Silverman | … | Brad |
| Joseph Rosenberg | … | Joe |
| Stanley DeSantis | … | Robert |
| Doug Hutchison | … | Ifty |
| Rosalind Chao | … | Lily |
| Ken Jenkins | … | Judge McNeily |
| Wendy Phillips | … | Miss Wright |
| Mason Lucero | … | Conner Rhodes |
| Scott Paulin | … | Duncan Rhodes |
| Bobby Cooper | … | George |
| Kit McDonough | … | Ms. Davis |
| Kimberly Scott | … | Gertie |
| Michael B. Silver | … | Dr. Jaslow |
| Caroline Keenan | … | Rebecca |
| Eileen Ryan | … | Estelle |
| Mary Steenburgen | … | Dr. Blake |
| Marin Hinkle | … | Patricia |
| Chase MacKenzie Bebak | … | Willy |
| Rafer Weigel | … | Bruce |
| Emiko Parise | … | Nurse |
| Pamela Dunlap | … | Grace |
| Brent Spiner | … | Shoe Salesman |
| David Nathan Schwartz | … | Principal |
| Kathleen Robertson | … | Big Boy Waitress |
| Karen Bankhead | … | Rita’s Colleague |
| Janet Adderley | … | Obnoxious Mom |
| Katie McGloin | … | Cristina |
| Steven Maines | … | Collin |
| Dennis Fanning | … | Vice Cop |
| David Poynter | … | Cafeteria Worker |
| R.D. Call | … | Cop at Park |
| John Paizis | … | Starbucks Father |
| Russ Fega | … | Starbucks Angry Man |
| Erinn Goletz | … | Starbucks Barista |
| Julie Claire | … | Starbucks Customer |
| Marnie Martin | … | Starbucks Woman |
| Tony Abatemarco | … | Court Clerk |
| Will Wallace | … | Bill Carpenter |
| Scott Weintraub | … | Scarecrow |
| Nicholas Mele | … | Booking Cop |
| Brian Bialick | … | Brian |
| Molly Gordon | … | Callie |
| Nora Kroopf | … | Sara |
| Allison Thormahlen | … | Lucy Infant |
| Jillian Thormahlen | … | Lucy Infant |
| Ryan Williams | … | Lucy 6 Months |
| Felicity Ann Forbes | … | Lucy 18 Months |
| Makindra Sherry Forbes | … | Lucy 18 Months |
| Elle Fanning | … | Lucy 2 Years |
| Amanda Lehaf | … | Lucy 4 Years |
| Greg Bronson | … | Detective |
| Garrett Fraye | … | Baby Lucy Dawson |
| Spencer Gray | … | Baby Lucy Dawson |
| Roma Maffia | … | First Family Court Judge |
| Michael McElroy | … | (voice) |
| Clara Soyoung | … | Girl in Elevator |
| Jen Taylor | … | Woman Chauffeur |
Sources: imdb & wikipedia