I Am Sam
“Love is all you need.”
Synopsis
Sam, a neurodivergent man, has a daughter with a homeless woman who abandons them when they leave the hospital, leaving Sam to raise Lucy on his own. But as Lucy grows up, Sam's limitations as a parent start to become a problem and the authorities take her away. Sam convinces high-priced lawyer Rita to take his case pro bono and in turn teaches her the value of love and family.
Trailers, Teasers & Extra Featurettes
Official promotional previews, behind-the-scenes footage, and exclusive clips.
I am sam official trailer
Type: Trailer • Published 2010-12-06
Top Cast
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Sean Penn
Sam Dawson
Michelle Pfeiffer
Rita Harrison Williams
Dianne Wiest
Annie Cassell
Dakota Fanning
Lucy Diamond Dawson
Richard Schiff
Mr. Turner
Loretta Devine
Margaret Calgrove
Marin Hinkle
Patricia
Laura Dern
Randy Carpenter
Brad Silverman
Brad
Joseph Rosenberg
Joe
Stanley DeSantis
Robert
Doug Hutchison
Ifty
Bobby Cooper
George
Mary Steenburgen
Dr. Blake
Eileen Ryan
Estelle Dawson
Michael B. Silver
Dr. Jaslow
Rosalind Chao
Lily
Ken Jenkins
Judge Philip McNeily
Release History & Theatrical Window
Beverly Hills, California
Festival / Special Debut
December 28, 2001
Wide Cinema Exhibition
December 12, 2006
Physical Home Media
Financials & Box Office Performance
Production Budget
$22M
Filming & production cost
Worldwide Gross
$92.5M
Total global ticket sales
Box Office Return
4.21x
+$70.5M net gain
Theatrical Status
Mega Hit
Box office tier
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Jessie Nelson
- Screenplay & Story
- Kristine Johnson, Jessie Nelson
- Original Score
- John Powell
- Original Title
- I Am Sam
- Country of Origin
- United States of America, Germany
- Spoken Languages
- English
- Runtime
- 2h 12m
- Production Budget
- $22M
- Worldwide Gross
- $92.5M
- Production Studios
- New Line Cinema, Bedford Falls Productions, Red Fish, Blue Fish Films, "Sam" Productions
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Jessie Nelson
Kristine Johnson, Jessie Nelson
John Powell
Elliot Davis
Richard Chew
Michael De Luca, Edward Zwick, Jessie Nelson, David Scott Rubin, Richard Solomon
Department Leadership Roster
Kristine Johnson
Screenplay
Jessie Nelson
Screenplay
Jessie Nelson
Director
Richard Chew
Editor
Aaron Osborne
Production Design
Edward Zwick
Producer
John Powell
Original Music Composer
Jessie Nelson
Producer
Richard Solomon
Producer
Susie DeSanto
Costume Design
Elliot Davis
Director of Photography
Marshall Herskovitz
Producer
Troy Gilbert
Stunt Coordinator
Jimmy Romano
Stunt Coordinator
Joel Kramer
Stunt Coordinator
Age Classification & Content Advisories
Official viewer rating standards and content warnings across international classification boards.
PG-13: Parents Strongly Cautioned — May contain intense action, language, or mature themes.
International Certification Matrix
Mature — Recommended for viewers 15 and older.
FSK 6 — Restricted to viewers aged 6 and older.
Interdit aux moins de 12 ans — 12+ only.
Suitable only for 12 years and over.
Parents Strongly Cautioned — May contain intense action, language, or mature themes.
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for I Am Sam.
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Frequently Asked Questions About I Am Sam
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is I Am Sam about?
Sam, a neurodivergent man, has a daughter with a homeless woman who abandons them when they leave the hospital, leaving Sam to raise Lucy on his own. But as Lucy grows up, Sam's limitations as a parent start to become a problem and the authorities take her away. Sam convinces high-priced lawyer Rita to take his case pro bono and in turn teaches her the value of love and family.
Who directed I Am Sam?
I Am Sam was directed by Jessie Nelson.
Who stars in I Am Sam?
The principal cast of I Am Sam includes Sean Penn, Michelle Pfeiffer, Dianne Wiest, Dakota Fanning, Richard Schiff.
When was I Am Sam released and how long is it?
I Am Sam was released in 2001 with a total runtime of 2h 12m.
What was the box office and production budget of I Am Sam?
I Am Sam had a reported production budget of $22M and grossed $92.5M at the worldwide box office (4.21 return on budget, classified as a blockbuster success).
Who composed the musical score for I Am Sam?
The original motion picture soundtrack for I Am Sam was composed by John Powell.
What is the age rating and content advisory for I Am Sam?
I Am Sam holds official age classifications: AU: M (Mature — Recommended for viewers 15 and older.); DE: 6 (FSK 6 — Restricted to viewers aged 6 and older.); FR: 12 (Interdit aux moins de 12 ans — 12+ only.); GB: 12 (Suitable only for 12 years and over.); US: PG-13 (Parents Strongly Cautioned — May contain intense action, language, or mature themes.).