I Am Sam by Jessie Nelson - Movie Review Example

Movie: I Am Sam Background Information The movie, I Am Sam, is an American drama film featuring Sean Penn (Sam) as the star with his daughter Dakota Fanning (Lucy) and lawyer Michelle Pfeiffer (Rita Harrison). The movie was written and directed in 2001 by Jessie Nelson. Nelson and co-writer Kristine Johnson were inspired by the problems encountered by adults with disabilities in bringing up their children. As a result, they decided to include two actors with disabilities; Joe Rosenberg and Brad Silverman. Other key characters in the movie are Dianne Wiest (Annie), Doug Hutchison (lfty), Richard Schiff (Turner), Loretta Devine (Margaret), and Laura Dern (Randy). Sam has a developmental disability (mental capacity of a 7-year-old), and he is the father of Lucy. As a single parent, he struggles to give Lucy a happy life after the abandonment by her mother. Her mother was a street woman and disappeared immediately after giving birth. In spite of the single parent and disability problem, Sam has friends with developmental disabilities who are very supportive. His neighbor Annie (Dianne West) also takes care of Lucy when the father is busy at work. As Lucy grows, she learns of her father’s mental disability who other kids describe as a retard. During her birthday, policemen take her away, and her father approaches lawyer Rita Harrison. She agrees to help him by taking the case as pro bono. At the last trial, the opposing counsel convinces Sam that he is not a capable father. Lucy is taken away to reside in a foster home that features Randy Carpenter as her mother. Lucy escapes from the foster home several times at night to her father’s house. As the movie comes to the end, the family takes the girl back to her father and promises to help offer help in raising the kid. Description of Family Members The movie prominently features two family members; Sam and Lucy. Sam is the loving father of Lucy. Although he has a disability, he works very hard at Starbucks café to provide for his daughter’s needs. His efforts to have a decent life see him obtain a new job of taking care of dogs. He is a loving man and does everything beyond his abilities to get his daughter back. He has an outgoing personality that has earned him some mentally challenged friends. Besides, Sam is full of determination and does not allow the disability to define his personality. In spite of the disability, he is determined to be the best father to Lucy. Lucy is the only child of Sam. She was born out of Sam’s relationship with Rebecca, a street woman. Just like her father, Lucy is a loving girl and goes against odds to reunite with him after she is adopted. She features as an intelligent young girl who gets to understand her father’s condition at an early age. She is also compassionate and avoids provoking her father by refusing to read the absurd text. Parenting Style The parenting style employed by Sam in raising Lucy is permissive. He is an indulgent parent and hardly makes demands to her. Throughout the movie, there is no instance where Sam disciplines the daughter. He assumes Lucy to be a kid with low understanding and yet to mature. Besides, he is nurturing and communicates with her regularly, and seems to be more of a friend than a parent. Social and Cultural Influences There are some social and cultural factors affecting Sam’s family. The first influence comes from childhood trends. At first, Lucy is contented with his father regardless of the disability. The situation, however, changes when she acquires friends. The friends intimidate her that her father is a retard. As a result, she is embarrassed of associating herself with Sam. Employment is another social factor shaping the family. The salary Sam earns at Starbucks is insufficient to afford him and his daughter a decent apartment. Out of Sam’s disability, he has no skills or knowledge to guarantee him formal employment. The family also suffers from communal prejudice because of Sam’s mental problem. The community feels Sam cannot bring up the child appropriately and ends up separating them. The family’s structure is also another problem affecting the family depicted in the movie. Family Stressors There are several stressors affecting the family. The separation of the parents contributes to the suffering of the family. The effect was evident immediately Sam lost contact with his wife after leaving the hospital. Sam’s mental incapacitation is another stressor affecting the well-being of the family. Lack of adequate money is a stress that Sam attempts to solve by getting another job of walking dogs. The last stress relates to legal problems. Sam spends months in court fighting for the custody of her daughter. Major Event The major event that changes the family’s dynamic for worse is when the child is separated from the father. Sam then heads to court and with the help of a lawyer, he takes months before losing his daughter. Analysis of the Major Event Family systems theory Boundaries: The family is united but the court case leaves the father and daughter separated. Sam is a devoted father from the beginning up to the end. Her daughter also craves to be with his father. Roles: Sam is the provider of the family before and after the event. Lucy is still a child to have a defined family role. Rules: There are no set rules to govern the running of the family. Sam does not set any expectations on his daughter and the family thrives on openness and love. Hierarchy: The family is headed by a single parent. Sam has authority over the family, but receives assistance from his lawyer and neighbor whenever the need arises. Climate: Before the event, the family thrives in a family full of love. After the event, the secure environment disintegrates and the daughter ends up in a new home where the court is sure of her safety and security. The father is left to leave alone in frustration. Equilibrium: Several changes happened and the equilibrium was disrupted. The loss of Lucy to a new parent, Sam secured another job, and he also got a new friend, the lawyer. Roles as a teacher Boundaries: I would recognize that Lucy and her family have strong family bonds. Whatever way that I treat or say to Lucy should put into consideration his father’s state. I would advise Lucy to love and accept his father just the way he is. Roles: I would help Lucy recognize her strengths and the new roles she can take in her family particularly to help his father. Since she has more mental ability than her ability, she needs to take up new roles in the family. Rules: Although I would expect to perform at school, I would not compromise the time and attention she dedicates to her family. I would not interfere with most of the orders they set at home. Hierarchy: I would encourage Sam to continue taking up the roles of the family head and assure him that all be well. Lucy should also accept her father as the senior and corporate with him. Climate: The emotional and physical environment of the family is challenging. Lucy cannot live without her father while his father desperately needs his daughter’s company. I would welcome Sam to discuss his beliefs about Lucy so that I can guide her accordingly. Equilibrium: I would provide the consistency that is lacking at Sam’s home. I would seek the help of a family counselor who would observe how Sam treats her daughter. Since the family lacks a mother, I would assume her position by teaching Lucy all the important skills in life. Memorable Scene The scene is when Lucy is being interviewed by the opposing counsel. The girl is confused, and starts opposing what she has just said. In addition, she says kids lie all the time forgetting she is one of them. In a separate room, his father is watching her testify. He kisses and talks to the screen thinking she will hear. Reference Nelson J. (2001) I am Sam. United States: New Line Home Entertainment Read More