Read,Watch, Critique

Flim: I am Sam
Director: Jessie Nelson
Date of Release: December 2001

Characteristics of a Person with an Intellectual Disability   -IQ below 70 is considered intellectually  disabled   -4 classifications (mild, moderate, severe and profound)   -limited academic achievement   -deficiencies in cognitive development   -demonstrate delays in sentence length and complexity. Express language is also less complex   --not well accepted by their typical peers and often have trouble making new friends   -difficulty in recognizing social cues and interpreting social cues   -higher rate of behavioural disorders   -meaningless repetitive movements   -may use self-injurious behaviour   -difficulty with memory, especially short term memory   -have difficulty with change/routine

Portrayal of Sam Dawson     -Sam was diagnosed as having autistic tendencies with mental retardation -Sam would be considered in the mild to moderate classification.  -Sam had the intellectual capacity of a 7 year old -Sam is able to read simple books like “Green Eggs and Ham”, but when Lucy brings home another book from school Sam is unable to read it due to the bigger words -Sam had worked at Starbucks for 8 years, doing the same position, when he tried to do a more difficult position, he was unsuccessful -Sam’s friends all had intellectual disabilities as well, other than Annie -Sam worked with co-workers but did not do activities with them outside of work -Sam would rock back and forth when upset.  He also was punching his head. -Rita had to go over and over the questions she was going to ask in court so that Sam could be prepared in the end he forgot and used a scene from Kramer vs. Kramer to answer the question -Lucy suggested trying a new restaurant as they always go to IHOP, Sam didn’t agree until later on in the movie and when they did go he had a tantrum because they did not have same menu as IHOP

The movie “I am Sam” is about a single father with an intellectual disability trying to raise a young daughter.  As his daughter Lucy gets older (turns 8 years old in the movie) you realize that Sam’s disability is holding her back.   He can no longer assist with schoolwork and at times was embarrassing Lucy with his behaviour (eg. at the Halloween Party and the acting out a the restaurant).  The movie basically portrays Sam’s close friends as all having disabilities other than Rita and Annie.  I feel this is not an accurate portrayal and Sam was high enough functioning to have many friends of normal intellect. 

I would definitely recommend the movie “I Am Sam” as it warm, heartbreaking, funny and has a happy ending.  You feel that Sam and Lucy are going to be just fine as they have lots of support now.

By: Kelsey Engel