Essay: Self reflection on film I Am Sam
Introduction
In the film I Am Sam, the mentally challenged Sam Dawson (Sean Penn), who has a
7-year-old’s IQ, very much loves his young daughter, Lucy (Dakota Fanning). The central
plot question of the movie is whether Sam is really capable enough to raise Lucy. That
takes us to another question – what does it take to raise a child?
This self reflection is my insight about Sam’s personality – some aspects of Sam’s
personality, especially as perceived by watching the movie. However, this doesn’t relate in
any aspect with my individual personality, especially one that I recognizes as my own.
A brief outline of the story:
I am Sam is the story of a mentally slow person Sam Dawson, whose mental condition is
such that it makes it difficult for him to react to and communicate with other people. Sam
has adopted a cast away child. Despite his disabilities, Sam manages to raise his baby
daughter Lucy and takes care of her in the most endearing way. Sam and Lucy have a
lovely relationship. All was going well until the Lucy’s seventh birthday party, when
Lucy’s school friends make fun of her that makes Sam angry and he shouts on those kids.
As a result, the parents of those kids target Sam as unfit father and make a complaint
against him. Lucy is removed from Sam’s home and placed in court protection while the
custody issue is resolved. Sam hires an attorney to fight the case.
