I Am Sam : Ask Biography

Theatrical release poster

Film information

Name

I Am Sam

Directed by

Jessie Nelson

Produced by

Jessie Nelson
Marshall Herskovitz
Edward Zwick
Richard Solomon

Written by

Kristine Johnson
Jessie Nelson

Starring

Sean Penn
Michelle Pfeiffer
Dakota Fanning
Dianne Wiest
Loretta Devine
Richard Schiff
Laura Dern

Music by

John Powell

Editing by

Richard Chew

Studio

The Bedford Falls Company

Distributed by

New Line Cinema

Release date

Running time

120 minutes

Country

Language

English

Gross revenue

$97,818,139

Home | Film | I Am Sam

'I Am Sam' is a 2001 American drama film written and directed by Jessie Nelson, and starring Sean Penn as a father with a developmental disability, Dakota Fanning as his inquisitive seven-year-old 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 developmental 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.

The film was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role (Sean Penn).

The movie's title is named for the line "I am Sam" featured in the book Green Eggs and Ham, which is read in the movie.