MovieChat Forums > I Am Sam (2002) Discussion > What a load of manipulative rubbish

What a load of manipulative rubbish

posted 21 years ago by anxietyresister
129 replies | jump to latest

By the end of this movie I was so moved I wanted to throw up. I know we live in politically correct times but please, A 7 year old girl needs more than a mentally retarded man and his similarly disabled friends to look after her, but of course anyone who wants the best for the girl in his film's world is painted as "bad" with horns and a pitchfork. I felt sorry for that poor foster mother played by Laura Dern, who surely could have done a better job. In the courtroom scene at the end, I bet there was plenty of cracking up between takes with the mawkish dialogue everybody had to utter. This film is so out of touch with reality. And as for Penn's acting, well it was more of an impression than a performance, and thank God he didn't win the Oscar. "Sam" isn't a person, hes a multi-corporate made up of bits from other movies of what Hollywood thinks handicapped people behave like, from Rain Man to My Left Foot. That's it, I'm off to watch something decent, like Ghost World. Now that's a movie, not a cliche-ridden disaster like this sentimental garbage.

[–] iridescent-jesus 19 years ago

That is why, my dear, in the end of this film Randy and Rita and Willy showed up at the soccer game. Signifying that they were all helping to raise Lucy when they could. It may be sentimental garbage to you, but to some it is a very moving film. I do however appreciate your to-the-point comments instead of spewing out illegible, idiotic objections like most on the IMDb boards.

And props for Ghost World as well. Good day.

[–] pcflyer777 19 years ago

i am sam was a great movie. Yea it may have been a little unrealistic, but its a movie for cryin' out loud. Its probably safe to say that the movie wasn't made to show how the legal system works. The story it delivers is quite interesting. It was made to show that material possestions are not what important in life. Rita had everything and her life was a living hell, while Sam had nothing and his life was great (until the courts steped in). Anlizying movies like this is like dissecting a frog, few people care and the frog dies.

Anxiety, I am fully aware that there is grammitcal errors in this. I would apprecitate it if you would stop judgeing people on how they spell, their heritdige, or what they have for a sig.

[–] 19 years ago

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[–] anxietyresister 19 years ago

Hey Lover Boy, sorry it's taken me a fortnight to get back to you. I've been busy living something you obviously lack, now what would that be again..um.. oh, that's right.. A LIFE. You see, I don't really give a flying turd what people think of this crappy waste of celluloid, you can marry it or be buried with the thing for all I care. It's the personal comments, remarks about my sexuality, and the pointless threats that really get my goat.. and yes, I have come up with a few myself, but only in response to you losers who have never even met me. You must feel pretty hard saying all this over a keyboard, knowing you are completely anonymous. Well done you!!!

Pardon me if I disagree with you, but finding this film over-sentimental and manipulative does not make me a scumbag, an ass^hole (we say arse around here) or.. what was the other one? Vulgarian? My, haven't we been at the books? Your parents must be so proud of the way you're squandering the education they paid so much for. Anyway, I think you are probably a disabled person yourself and are taking all your pent-up anger on me. But, my friend, I am the wrong target for your rage. You should be mad at your parents, who obviously were smoking some pretty strong stuff before you were born, and the midwife, who must have dropped you on your head from a very great height. Both incidents have contributed to your status as a Grade-A retard. You have my sympathies, and I totally forgive you for your unwarranted outburst above.

Stinky sick? Never heard of that before. And you say it hurts? That IS unusual. If I were you I'd see a doctor about that. Oh, of course! You're already surrounded by them where you live. Must be great, having a room to yourself! Nice padded walls too.. shame they won't cut you any sleeves in that jacket. Still, never mind. Nearly medication time. Don't worry, it's just a little injection in your bottom. Good night!!

[–] ohwhatalife_16 19 years ago

First off, I am astounded at the length of this debate. I'm not blaming anxietyresister, or anyone else here, just remarking on its incredible running time... over 2 years (3, now?). My, that certainly is a heated row. Understandedly so...

Anxietyresister, while I won't go off into swearing, passionate, cliched internet message board rants, I will say that I disagree with your point of view. I also don't want to use anecdotal reasoning here, i.e. 'This happened to me once so I will ALWAYS think this way,' because many message posters fall into this bad habit, but I will say this: I have worked at a psych center as a volunteer for years now, and individuals like Sam Dawson are incredibly common. Sweet, well-meaning, but of a young mental age, I am to this very day amazed at what they're capable of, even without help. Many have since left the institution and are now able to live on their own- some with children, families, and secure jobs and lives.
I don't think the premise or carrying out of the film was a stretch too much at all. Maybe certain things, yes. But retardation is not something one is personally responsible for. Sadly, it is greatly misunderstood in the world in which we live. Mentally retarded and autistic individuals are some of the kindest friends I have ever known, and the most capable of TEACHING COMPASSION AND LOVE. If I am ever able to have children, I would want them to be around differently abled or 'special' people above all else, because this is one of the most important lessons, I feel, we could teach to children today.

[–] xredgarnetx 18 years ago

Penn was definitely channeling Hoffman in RAIN MAN.

[–] ErGel 18 years ago

I agree with some of what you say. I'm sorry you have to put up with all of the rude posts here - some of the people are overly emotional about this type of thing. At first I felt pretty bad for Sam, but after seeing the foster mother I began rooting for her to gain custody. I think Dakota's character would have had a very nice home there. And with Sam living close by I would have thought they could have set up weekend visitation or something. Now, however, Dakota's character will probably have to spend much of her teenage years taking care of her old man rather than him taking care of her.

[–] spookvile0803 17 years ago

Calling this movie a garbage doesn't make a person lacking any emotion or kindness. Gosh you guys need to grow up a bit. Obviously you judge the quality of this film based on your emotion and sympathy for mentally challeged people and call other people heartless who actually see the quality of this film in a realistic view. Do I say this because I've never spent any time with mentally handicap? No, my dog is retarded and it still doesn't affect or change my opinion about this piece of garbage.

[–] alasdair-whyte 17 years ago

This site delights me. I looked up this page to find affirmation that there isn't a film out there too bad for folks on here to proclaim as great or important.
The [lack of] critical faculties possessed by some people leaves me bewildered.

[–] spookvile0803 17 years ago

my pleasure ;)

[–] EndorasBox 17 years ago

Guess what "Irish"? Irish isn't a race. Educate yourself.

[–] anxietyresister 17 years ago

Is this thread STILL going on, unbelievable! Some things change... I have a job, a new 250 GB computer, a stylish haircut... but the fact that people are still coming here almost 5 YEARS after I kicked things off is the most compelling testimony to my brilliance I have yet witnessed. Some day, mere mortals will be studying my posts in detail, photocopying the best parts and sticking them on their walls. My name will be uttered with the same reverence as Einstein and Newton, they'll be a bust of me at Tate Modern. Yes I can see it now...

Oops, too much LSD there. Maybe I'm overstating things a little but, you've got to admit, it is pretty impressive that people have been responding for this long. Too much repressed anger?! Well, I'm back... so let the party start again. I'm still young, virile and my contempt for this film and its phoney baloney portrayal of mentally disabled people remains as all-consuming as ever. I'd say certain individuals on this thread act better at having a handicap than Sean Penn. I'm not naming names, but you know who you are... ;)

I'm not a troll. What you see above is what I actually feel. Take it or leave it, bub.

[–] 17 years ago

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[–] anxietyresister 17 years ago

I have to have a degree in psychology to have an opinion on the film? Perhaps to ought to concentrate your ire on the many critics who also gave it the thumbs down but have a far more widespead audience than little old me. They also complained about the patronising view of the mentally handicapped, and I don't believe they all have Phds in medicine. I do KNOW people in that predicament, but I don't claim to be an expert. I only gave my opinion as a casual observer. Happy? Feel better now? Just disagree with me, don't give me the third degree about what qualifications I have...

I'm not a troll. What you see above is what I actually feel. Take it or leave it, bub.

[–] JohnS-37 17 years ago

I've been reading over this tread and even though you started it, the only reason to post a tread is to get others thoughts and mix them with yours. After doing some research on you and your blogs over the last couple years I've come to a conclusion. You didn't watch this movie or half of the other movies that you talk about. Most of your treads are targets at children movies e.g. Babe, Babe 2, Thomas and the Magic Railroad. You claim you've watched some of these with your Nephew but if you were in my family I wouldn't let you talk to my child much less sit with over a period length of a movie. You never say anything nice about anything that has to do with children. You are a child hater. You said you would've liked The Hand That Rocks the Cradle more if the villain won. That's stupid and shows that you must have had a terrible childhood. And on top of that, you haven't made one comment on any movie that is critically acclaims beside I am Sam which means you don't watch any or you don't have anything bad to say about them and what does do for your opinion on a movie. You wouldn't say a caveman knew what he was talking about so why listen to your opinion. Why don't you watch some good adult movies other than I am Sam and then see what your opinion is.

P.S. You claim your not a troll yet you hardly ever give an educated opinion on anything rather try to tear others around you down. Your the saddest poster I've ever come across

[–] anxietyresister 17 years ago

How nice you think I'm interesting enough to do research on. And how bone-headed, how feeble, how poorly researched your analysis of me is. Talk about pop psychiatry! I would do an amateur diagnosis on you, but frankly I don't care enough.

Anyway, aside from your constant misspelling of thread, the most amusing mistruth you spouted is I am a child hater. The only kids I dislike are the cute, Hollywoodised ones you see in American films all the time. Most sprogs in everyday life I can tolerate. Just like adults, some ya like and some ya just wanna throw from a ten storey window. Like some dweeb I'm thinking of right now, as it happens. What, is it un-PC to say you hate some under 16's? Deal with it.

I assume you're not talking about porn when you say 'adult movies'. If you are, then I'm afraid you're going to have to discuss your weird habits with some other pervert, cos I don't swing that way mister. As for films that cater for the older end of the market, I see plenty of those... but I choose to focus on the more obscure flicks. For instance, dodgy horrors and weird cult rarities. They've got far less written about them on IMDB, and they deserve my attention more than boring blockbusters like Titanic. Problem with that? Again, deal with it.

And I STILL maintain that THTRTC would have been better if sexy Rebecca De Mornay had beaten the rather irritating Anabella Sciorra and that dope played by the black Ghostbuster. No-one wants a baby to die, but this was fictional... so I could be as immoral as I liked. There you go. Deal w... Oh, you know what I'm going to say.

So to sum it up: You're entitled to your view, but it means as much to me as a piece of dog turd on my shoe, so you're wasting your breath. Now go away you silly little man.

P.S I showed your post to my nephew. He thinks you're a dork, and he wouldn't be seen anywhere near you. Bad for his street-cred, you see...

I'm not a troll. What you see above is what I actually feel. Take it or leave it, bub.

[–] JohnS-37 17 years ago

First of all, the only thing you do is try to put others down. Ooh, your nephew does not like me? WOW, I am just......so upset! And you talk about my misspellings, you British moron? COS??? Try the whole word, BE-cause. And you begin saying that you do not care enough to argue with me but then your whole thread was an argument. And what obscurities are you talking about? I really don't think South Park is an obscure, rare show with hidden meaning and worthy of an Emmy. And only a porn watcher yourself would assume that I am referring to such kind when I say adult film. I am sorry but I don't see the point in continually posting about "Babe In The Big City" when I can concentrate on other ADULT films such as There Will Be Blood or I Am Sam (obviously). You talk about my poor analysis but usually if it walks like a duck, looks like a duck, and talks like a duck....well, you know what I am getting at. And you, sir, are a DUCK.

[–] 17 years ago

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[–] weirded_out13 16 years ago

It's a good thing Anxietydisorder isn't having a completely over the top hissy fit and resorting to name calling simply because she/he thinks she's/he's better than us for liking such a deep and not-sickeningly pretentious film like Ghost World.

Haha... let's see how much sarcasm you can spot in that crazy little paragraph?

Yay for the movie I Am Sam!

If you don't mind, I'm going to go watch the movie and LOVE it while you sit on imdb and get totally pissed that we aren't all pompous and hateful like you.

Have a wonderful, TERRIFIC day!

[–] raysafa1 16 years ago

You mean perhaps you, not "perhaps to”, please, you are slipping, almost like a serial killer who gets more and more sloppy through out his killings.

Uh oh, I know I hit a nerve now because I exposed anxiety's lack of intelligence so I look forward to your attack(s). This should be fun, I love messing with the wannabe intellects. Gives me something to do while I am at work.

[–] colank-1 17 years ago

I too, only recently saw I Am Sam. It’s what made me visit this board. What I feel is that the daughter may not have liked it, but regardless, was certainly better off with another family. It sounds cheesy, but it reminds me of philosophy class. In a case like this the old story of Ulysses was brought up. When sailing past the Harpies, Ulysses’ men filled their ears with wax to avoid being taken by the compelling song. Ulysses, being who he was, had himself strapped to the mast of the ship because he wanted to hear the song without being driven mad and throw himself overboard to drown. He ordered the men to ignore whatever orders he might give until they were clear of the song’s reach. What’s the point? Well, as the ship was sailing past the singing women, Ulysses, chained to the mast of the ship was screaming orders at the men to set him loose. Kicking and wailing, he pleaded and begged to be set free. The men rowed.

Ultimately, the only way to tell the rightness of a decision is by asking about it, the day after the results are in. The little girl may have been miserable, but that passes in weeks and months and lives are measured in decades.

Further, let me just say that I’m sick and tired of the Hollywood crowd and their usual disdain for family values, unless of course, they’re returning children to the families of drug users (Losing Isaiah and Gone Baby Gone) or the mentally incompetent (Nell, I Am Sam).

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[–] hhralways 17 years ago

I agree with the OP...what a pile of crap...Jessie Nelson has got to be on of the most uninteresting directors ever.
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There's glass between us.

[–] pocomarc 16 years ago

Good post, anxietyresister.