I Am Sam

Starring:Sean Penn, Michelle Pfeiffer, Dakota Fanning, Dianne Wiest, Loretta Devine, Richard Schiff, Laura Dern, Brad Silverman, Joseph Rosenberg, Stanley DeSantis, Doug Hutchison, Rosalind Chao, Ken Jenkins, Wendy Phillips, Mason Lucero, Scott Paulin, Bobby Cooper, Kit McDonough, Kimberly Scott, Michael B. Silver
Director: Jessie Nelson
Studio: New Line Home Video
Product Type: DVD

Editorial Review:
Amazon.com
I Am Sam makes you laugh, cry, and recoil all at the same time. Perhaps no other film of recent memory has epitomized the shameless sentimentality of Hollywood as succinctly as director and screenwriter Jessie Nelson's story of a mentally challenged man fighting to retain custody of his 7-year-old daughter. Sam (Sean Penn), who has the mental age of 7, wipes down tables at a Los Angeles Starbucks and takes good care of his daughter Lucy, who was left with him shortly after birth by a homeless woman. Sam has gotten by just fine with a little help from his friends, including his eccentric neighbor (Diane Wiest) and a lovable group of similarly challenged friends, but a series of misunderstandings leaves Sam fighting to get Lucy back from the state. Sam's lawyer, Rita Harrison (Michelle Pfeiffer), is an overly ambitious woman whose life is soon transformed by proximity to Sam's brimming humanity. Sean Penn is, as usual, wholeheartedly committed to his role and turns in an admirable, if overtly affected performance. However, I Am Sam, with all its earnest charm, reaches an emblematic low when Sam, a character apparently devoid of any authentic sentiment, delivers a courtroom speech memorized from Kramer vs. Kramer as the film's finale. --Fionn Meade
Description
Michelle Pfeiffer and Sean Penn give career-defining performances in this humorous and heart-warming film about a mentally-challenged father who enlists the aid of a high-powered attorney to help him regain custody of his daughter. An all-star supporting cast and a spectacular soundtrack complete this unforgettable story of life, love and laughter.

DVD Features:
Audio Commentary:Filmmaker Commentary - With Director / Co-screenwriter Jessie Nelson
DVD ROM Features:Script-to-Screen Link to Original Website Hot Spot
Deleted Scenes:Deleted and Alternate Scenes with optional Director commentary
Documentary:Original Documentary: Becoming Sam
Other:Theatrical Press Kit DTS sound
Theatrical Trailer

Average customer rating:

just great to see it again
DVD Packaging?
Mystery Training, or "I'll see your `Other Sister' and raise you a `Flowers for Algernon'"
The Greatest Film I've Ever Seen
One of the best dvd's i've ever watched.

I am Sam (New Line Platinum Series)
Starring: Sean Penn , Michelle Pfeiffer , Dakota Fanning , Dianne Wiest , and Loretta Devine
Director: Jessie Nelson
Manufacturer: New Line Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

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Similar Items:

The Other Sister
Rain Man (Special Edition)
Radio
Simon Birch
Pay It Forward

ASIN: B000066HAS
Release Date: 2002-06-18

Amazon.com

I Am Sam makes you laugh, cry, and recoil all at the same time. Perhaps no other film of recent memory has epitomized the shameless sentimentality of Hollywood as succinctly as director and screenwriter Jessie Nelson's story of a mentally challenged man fighting to retain custody of his 7-year-old daughter. Sam (Sean Penn), who has the mental age of 7, wipes down tables at a Los Angeles Starbucks and takes good care of his daughter Lucy, who was left with him shortly after birth by a homeless woman. Sam has gotten by just fine with a little help from his friends, including his eccentric neighbor (Diane Wiest) and a lovable group of similarly challenged friends, but a series of misunderstandings leaves Sam fighting to get Lucy back from the state. Sam's lawyer, Rita Harrison (Michelle Pfeiffer), is an overly ambitious woman whose life is soon transformed by proximity to Sam's brimming humanity. Sean Penn is, as usual, wholeheartedly committed to his role and turns in an admirable, if overtly affected performance. However, I Am Sam, with all its earnest charm, reaches an emblematic low when Sam, a character apparently devoid of any authentic sentiment, delivers a courtroom speech memorized from Kramer vs. Kramer as the film's finale. --Fionn Meade

Description

Michelle Pfeiffer and Sean Penn give career-defining performances in this humorous and heart-warming film about a mentally-challenged father who enlists the aid of a high-powered attorney to help him regain custody of his daughter. An all-star supporting cast and a spectacular soundtrack complete this unforgettable story of life, love and laughter.

Customer Reviews:

just great to see it again.......2007-07-04

I used to love the show when I was younger and now i am most happy to own it on dvd .
I plan on getting me the rest of the series one by one, I can only recomend this to everyone who loved the show as much as I did.
It`s still very funny to watch.
regards
iris

DVD Packaging?.......2007-03-29

I have a question for anybody who has purchased this item from Amazon recently.

Does the DVD come in a cardboard "snapper" case or a plastic keep case?

I've seen both at retail with the same UPC and was not sure what Amazon had...called customer service but they couldn't give me a straight answer.

Help would be appreciated.

Mystery Training, or "I'll see your `Other Sister' and raise you a `Flowers for Algernon'".......2007-03-24

"I am Sam" is both repellent and fascinating. It took me an entire day to finish the film. I'd watch a few minutes 'til Sam did something so cringe-worthy I'd shut off the TV out of reflex, then be drawn back an hour later because I had to see what happened next, even though I was well aware I was watching dishonest, manipulative garbage. I guess I was fascinated by how pretty they were able to package it.

Sean Penn is often able to extract and convey the humanity in misunderstood, unpopular people, helping balance out the generally insensitive status quo; other times he's empathetic to a fault.

Unlike Dustin Hoffman's detached but strangely engaged portrayal of autistic Raymond in "Rain Man," I was always aware of Penn steering Sam (who is described as retarded with autistic tendencies), manipulating him to match the film's theme of "All you need is love." The theme is a nice sentiment, but pragmatically irresponsible given the subject matter.

Penn's Sam Dawson isn't as irresponsible as Penn's Sam Bicke in the semi-true, "The Assassination of Richard Nixon," which had Penn as a humiliated, desperate everyman, leaving out important history about the real Bicke (Byck) that drove him to the assassination attempt. (Without knowing this it's a far more compelling performance.)

"I am Sam" does a big disservice omitting important information about the circumstances that led to Sam Dawson making a baby.

The film starts with close-ups of Sam obsessively organizing sweeteners and cups at Starbucks, complimenting people on their coffee choices. His boss George tells him it's time for him to go. Sam gets excited and runs over to the hospital where a woman is giving birth. A nurse asks him, "You the one responsible for this?" And Sam says he's sorry.

Afterward, the mother abandons Sam and the newborn, saying "I just needed a place to sleep." I guess you could infer it was the mother's idea to make the baby, which could be supported by a scene later in the film where Sam is in a food court conversing with a woman, oblivious he's being propositioned -- but this wasn't enough to ease my concern.

For seven years, Sam is able to take care of his daughter Lucy (Dakota Fanning, "Hounddog") without too many problems. He named her after the Beatles song "Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds" because he's a big Beatles fan. Their music plays a prominent part in the film, with the soundtrack primarily comprised of contemporary artists (Eddie Vedder, Sheryl Crow, The Black Crowes to name a few) covering their songs.

Sam has a few fellow mentally challenged friends who help him with Lucy. He also has Annie (Diane Wiest) as Lucy's godmother, an agoraphobic neighbor who helps answer Sam's many child rearing questions, which include giving him a feeding schedule based on Nikelodeon's TV schedule:

Starting with "'Hogan's Heroes' Then again, wait until "I Dream of Jeanie,' and then `I Love Lucy.'"

His friends' main activities are going to IHOP and "Video Night." One of them is obsessed with Victor Flemming, another guy is paranoid, and another one really wants to see "Kramer vs. Kramer."

One night, Lucy wants to go to Big Boy instead of IHOP. Sam throws a fit when the waitress tells him they don't have French pancakes. "Ask Bob! Bob's Big Boy! Because the customer is always right! The customer is always right! The customer is always right!" Lucy is embarrassed.

Cut to a scene of Sam dressed up as a young Beatle, flailing his arms to the Wallflowers cover of "I'm Looking Through You" with an embarrassed Lucy and her schoolmates during a Halloween party.

Lucy (Dakota Fanning, "Hounddog") is taken from Sam during a birthday party by a social worker (Loretta Devine from TV's "Boston Public") after Sam is determined to have the IQ of a seven year old. The social workers are concerned Sam won't have the ability to take care of Lucy when she gets older.

Sam finds a fancy lawyer named Rita (Michelle Pfeifer, who is still quite the Ladyhawke) and stalks her and manages to quote both "Lovely Rita" and "Michelle" to her. Rita ignores him until some of her colleagues mock her when she says she has considered doing pro bono work before.

The concern about Sam's baby-making is brought up once: while questioning neighbor Annie, the prosecution asks her about Sam's competency when puberty comes. Annie says he would have as much difficulty as any other father - she's lived a long life and has observed all kinds of fathers. The prosecution then asks her: What about your father? The camera does one of those dolly/zooms like when the boy on the raft got eaten in "Jaws," and Annie quietly leaves the room.

Then Sam defends himself by quoting a courtroom scene from "Kramer vs Kramer" and loses the case.

But Rita convinces him to keep going.

As you've probably already noticed, the film has a strong supporting cast, which also includes Mary Steenburgen and Brent Spiner (Data from TV's "Star Trek: Next Generation" and cruise director Godwyn in "Out to Sea") in a brief appearance as a shoe salesman.

Laura Dern ("Rambling Rose") plays Randy Carpenter, Lucy's protective foster mother. She has a change of heart when Lucy won't stop sneaking out and visiting Sam. She agrees to be on Sam's side in court, and the film ends with the kids playing soccer and Sam giving Lucy (Dakota Fanning, "Hounddog") a big hug after she scores with Aimee Mann and Michael Penn's cover of "Two of Us" on the soundtrack.

I guess I just wanted more interaction between lawyer Rita and Turner, the prosecutor. As it is, "I am Sam" feels as if the filmmakers cheated the ending and tried to blind the audience with shmaltz.

Which brings me to the cinematography. Elliot Davis uses small zooms and jerks to emphasize every emotion, as if with every movement he's saying, "Feel this, because I know you can't without me!" Calm down, Elliot.

The DVD features audio commentary, a documentary "Becoming Sam," which wasn't as insightful as I'd hoped it would be, deleted/alternate scenes, which I didn't bother watching, and some cool folding/unfolding origami menus, which were probably my favorite thing about the whole disc.

The soundtrack is better than the movie. I suspect people will probably buy more of it than the "Hounddog" soundtrack. Personally, I'm waiting for the "Do the Right Thing" CD reissue, featuring Radio Raheem's "Fight the Power" m-m-m-mash-up with "Fairytale of New York" and "Close to You," topped with Bosco.

The Greatest Film I've Ever Seen.......2007-03-23

I Am Sam is one of, if not the best, motion picture of all time.

I Am Sam is about a retarded man named Sam (Sean Penn) who has a mental capacity of a 7-year old. He works as a server at Starbucks, is obsessed with The Beatles, and loves IHOP. After he accidentally has a daughter (Dakota Fanning) with a homeless woman who he names after the song Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds. The woman leaves him, and Sam is left to care for Lucy by himself. However, when Lucy intentionally begins to hold back in school to prevent becoming smarter from her father, child protective services takes her away and Sam must fight to obtain custody. He befriends a lawyer, Rita (Michelle Pfeiffer) with a bad marriage and a son who she thinks hates her. Together, Sam and Rita fight for Lucy's custody in a heartwrenching roller coaster of tears, laughs, and the overwhelming power of human spirit.

This is all beside some of the most stunning performances I've ever seen in a film. Sean Penn is top of his game and gives an amazingly realistic performance as a disabled man without a single flaw. To this day it makes me furious he didn't win the Oscar. Dakota Fanning's premiere role is by far her greatest ever, and at only six years old opened the eyes of actresses who've been in the business for years and basically screamed into their faces "This is how acting is done." And Michelle Pfeiffer delivers a phenomenal, incredibly realistic performance that will absolutely take your breath away.

As the film progresses, you will find yourself laughing one minute, crying the next (you WILL cry no matter how mature or old you are, so make sure you have tissues), the next moment tapping your foot along to the familiar Beatles tunes found throughout the movie (even though they're covers) and the next moment simply staring at the screen not believing your eyes and ears at how emotionally powerful a film can be.

And after watching, you won't want to ever give the DVD back to Blockbuster. If you don't at least give this movie a chance, you will truly be missing out on one of the shiniest gems of modern cinema ever.

One of the best dvd's i've ever watched........2007-03-11

This dvd has been my favorite ever since it came out. I love the actors, the setting, the beginning and the ending - how many times can you say that about a movie you watch? This movie is captivating, keeps the "watcher" interested throughout the movie. This movie teaches a good lesson. One of the main things that I learned from this movie is to have more compassion for the environment that surrounds me. To engage yourself in your community more than just going to work everyday - miraculous movie.

5 stars / 5 thumbs way up!

I Am Trying to Break Your Heart - A Film about Wilco (Single Disc Edition)

Average customer rating:

I Was Afraid I Was Going To Hate It
Wilco yes
I Am Trying to Forget This Movie
Good Movie for Wilco Fans
A Rock Film for the ages

I Am Trying to Break Your Heart - A Film about Wilco (Single Disc Edition)
Starring: Jeff Tweedy , John Stirratt , Leroy Bach , Glenn Kotche , and Jay Bennett (III)
Director: Sam Jones (IV)
Manufacturer: Plexifilm
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Country Rock | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Music Video & Concerts | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $7.49 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( I ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Jeff Tweedy - Sunken Treasure - Live in the Pacific Northwest
The Wilco Book (with CD)
Wilco: Learning How to Die
Kicking Television: Live in Chicago
Billy Bragg & Wilco - Man in the Sand (The Making of "Mermaid Avenue")

ASIN: B000EQ5UPU
Release Date: 2006-04-18

Amazon.com

This splendid documentary captures the band Wilco's struggles (both with their record company and within the band itself) while recording their album Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. I Am Trying to Break Your Heart is completely engrossing, whether or not you are familiar with the band. As they work on the album, there's some tension between singer-songwriter Jeff Tweedy and bandmate Jay Bennett, but overall the band members are happy and enjoying exploring their music. But when they turn in the finished songs, their record label drops them, leaving them adrift with the album that promises to be a huge artistic leap. For fans of Wilco, this gorgeously photographed movie will be a thrilling look at the life of the band and Tweedy's creative process; but even novices will be drawn into the contrasts between art and commerce brought out by the conflict. --Bret Fetzer

Description

This is the single disc DVD version of I AM TRYING TO BREAK YOUR HEART - A FILM ABOUT WILCO.

First time director Sam Jones documents the making of Wilco's fourth studio Album, Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. Named after the Wilco song that is featured on Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, an album that strays from the Alt-country that made them famous. Jones' desire was to document the creative work of YHF's production, he seems to have found a bit more, including band members departing and a conflict with Reprise record company. This is a true documentry of art versus money-driven media conglomerates.

Customer Reviews:

I Was Afraid I Was Going To Hate It.......2007-04-14

I am big fan of Wilco and I have followed their career from Tweedy's days with Uncle Tupelo. After reading some bad reviews about this movie from some that called it "boring" and from another who stated they disliked the band after watching this, I was afraid I was going to hate the movie and I didn't want to dislike Wilco after seeing the film. I decided I should never let anybody else decide for me (especially in advance) or tell me what I am and am not going to like. Luckily for me, I made the right choice.

This film is not perfect. It's not supposed to be. It is, however, supposed to tell the story of a band trying to make an album and trying to get along together as people, friends, and business partners. The film maker does an excellent job of telling this story and the music speaks for itself...it's top-notch. There are a few scenes I would have shortened and I have to admit the candid scene of Tweedy talking to his wife (I assume) on his cell phone is boring, but it also allows the viewer/fan a glimpse of Jeff Tweedy being Jeff Tweedy rather than Mr. Wilco. I highly reccomend this DVD to any Wilco fan or anybody who is interested in becoming one. What a great ending!

Wilco yes.......2007-01-19

I love this Documentary. ifu love of like or whatever Wilco, you will love this film. beautifully shot and created. yes.

I Am Trying to Forget This Movie.......2006-04-28

Who cares?

A completely mediocre band is given appropriately mediocre docu-coverage. What's truly amazing -- and the only interest the film holds -- is the towering self-importance of everyone involved with Wilco. Guys, just who do you think you are? You're not the Beatles, Coltrane's Quartet, or the Brandenburg Orchestra. A rather more interesting movie, perhaps called "I Am Trying to Break Your Eardrums", might be about Wilco's fans and why they're so tone-deaf.

Almost as bad as "Darkon".

Good Movie for Wilco Fans.......2006-04-03

If you are a big Wilco fan, like me, you will enjoy this movie. If you want to know Jeff Tweedy better--or better yet, you already feel you know Tweedy and want just to see more of him--you will enjoy this film.

However, it is not a great concert film--there are many better, despite the grandiose comparisons--and it spends a lot of time on matters that will prove inconsequential in the long run. Years from now, who will really care that Wilco lost its record company after recording Yankee Hotel Foxtrot and sold the record to a different company? Who will care about the resentful difficult guy they kicked out of the band and replaced, whose name I don't even remember now? If you will, of course this film's for you.

What you have here is a well-filmed version of a reality show with really likeable characters, a little music biz drama, and great great music. That was enough for me to enjoy this film a lot.

A Rock Film for the ages.......2006-03-24

Wilco is one of the definitive bands of the times, not some flash-in-the-pan group - if Wilco were to disappear or break up tomowrrow, they would be remember single handidly for arguably having one of the best albums of the last six years, that being Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. I feel we are very lucky the infamous story over that album was filmed, whether for some "looming" future purpose, or it just randomaly happened - I believe it just happened - and for that reason alone is why this film is of value.

Wilco fans, and just rock music fans, should really enjoy this documentary over the development of Wilco's classic album Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, and the behind-the-music like story that takes place. The bonus disc is worth the money alone, seeing solo performances by Jeff Tweedy, and extra footage of the Wilco live. Like Dylan's Don't Look Back, I Am Trying to Break Your Heart is of a classic rock film level and not to be taken lightly. Excellent film. Definitely worth purchasing!

Charlie Rose with Michelle Pfeiffer; Sean Penn (December 26, 2001)

Average customer rating:

Charlie Rose with Michelle Pfeiffer; Sean Penn (December 26, 2001)

Manufacturer: Charlie Rose, Inc.
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

( C ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

General | Educational | Genres | DVD | Video

Description

A discussion on the upcoming movie I am Sam, with lead actor, Michelle Pfeiffer, who plays a type-A custody lawyer. The conversation continues with Pfeiffer's co-star, Sean Penn, about his role in the movie as a mentally challenged single parent fighting for custody of his soon to be 8-year-old daughter, and the challenges that the part presented the accredited actor.

Average customer rating:

A Pair of Excellent Character Studies

About Schmidt / I Am Sam
Starring: Jack Nicholson , Kathy Bates , Hope Davis , Dermot Mulroney , and June Squibb
Director: Alexander Payne , and Jessie Nelson
Manufacturer: New Line Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

( A ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
ASIN: B0001WTWSS
Release Date: 2004-05-04

Customer Reviews:

A Pair of Excellent Character Studies.......2006-04-16

Warren soon sponsors an African boy by the name of Ndugu. Through Warren's letters to Ndugu we learn what Warren is thinking; a rather clever way of letting Warren extensively espouse his feelings without hearing his thoughts directly. The only difficulty I had with the lengthy and complex monologues was that Warren would have known that Ndugu would not understand what Warren was ranting on about; a minor point and one that a viewer needs to overlook to stay up with the movie.

Warren no longer has an anchor to reality, and perhaps sanity. The house becomes a total disaster. Warren has no routine. To grab a lifeline, Warren decides that he needs to go visit his daughter. However, his daughter is not interested in having him come early for her wedding. Warren, already halfway to his daughter's house, decides to stay on the road, visiting old haunts. There are some poignant and funny points in this portion of the movie, along with the realization that, as we've all known, you can never go home.

Eventually Warren ends up at the house of the mother of his daughter's fianc?e, Roberta Hertzel, well-played by Kathy Bates. It's as though Warren has stepped into some version of hell that he only suspected existed. Roberta's front yard is filled with junk. Sirens sound at all times of the day and night. Warren has to sleep on a completely unbaffled waterbed, and gets a major crick in his neck, which his daughter then believes he planned to ruin her wedding. Of course, we have discovered during Warren's road trip that Warren wants to stop the wedding. The contrast between Kathy Hertzel and her family and Warren's life provides several funny moments and a severe reality check for Warren.

Because the best part of the movie is the end, for which you've had to patiently wait for about and hour and forty-five minutes, I'm going to stop providing details at this point. What I can tell you is that the entire movie hinges on the last few minutes of the movie, when meaning is restored to Warren's life through the tiniest of acts.

Character studies about ordinary people are often boring to those who have difficulty placing themselves into the character's position. This movie will likely appeal to guys in their 40s and older who consider their work the focus of their lives. Those who have empathy will readily understand Warren's position. This movie and "As Good as It Gets" prove that Jack Nicholson is an incredible actor, one of the greatest of our time.

This movie was nominated for two Academy Awards, and won another 17 awards and received another 28 nominations.

"I Am Sam"

Sean Penn does an outstanding job of portraying mentally challenged Sam Dawson. Sam has the intelligence of a 7-year-old, which means his 7-year-old daughter, adorable Dakota Fanning playing Lucy Diamond Dawson, is rapidly passing him in intellectual capacity. Events cause "The Authorities" to take Lucy away from Sam. Sam obtains a lawyer, Rita Harrison, played by Michelle Pfeiffer, to win his daughter back. Diane Wiest plays Annie, a concerned and intelligent neighbor with some bizarre mental problems of her own. Laura Dern plays Randy, a foster parent interested in adopting Lucy because she and her husband can give Lucy a better home and life than Sam.

Before I give you critical comments, understand that I liked this movie. I thought it was uplifting and positive. Sean Penn did an outstanding job.

Okay, my less than positive comments: I thought Michelle Pfeiffer did a wonderful job. However, in places she was a little over the top. I think that the director had a great actress and should have let her do her job, and not directed her the way he did, which led to places where she is unbelievable.

Laura Dern was a serious disappointment. Laura has a lot of ability (see "Mask" as an example), but here the majority of her acting is providing "looks" of disapproval or approval or whatever. Again, I credit the director with making less than maximum use of a very good actress.

One last negative comment: when Sam got dressed for court in a suit and then went to work at Starbucks, I knew immediately that he was going to get something all over the suit. Everybody watching the movie knew it too. The characters in the movie should have known it as well. Somehow the "intelligent" people around Sam couldn't foresee and prevent the suit from getting dirty. This event makes me wonder who the mentally challenged person in the movie was.

I am not sure what to say about the bobbling camera. There were places where the bobbling was used to try and give you a "real life" feel. In a few places it was distracting. Eventually I got used to it as I became involved with the characters and the story.

This movie was nominated for an Oscar, it won another 7 awards and received another 7 award nominations.

Conclusion: I would definitely watch the movie again, though not for a while. Not a "must buy" for me, though if you are into character stories, this movie could be a good one for your collection.

Average customer rating:

A Pair of Poignant, Sensitive Stories

A Walk to Remember/I Am Sam
Starring: David Andrews , Al Butler , Peter Coyote , Clayne Crawford , and Lauren German
Director: Adam Shankman
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

( W ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
ASIN: B0000E6FRE
Release Date: 2003-11-18

Customer Reviews:

A Pair of Poignant, Sensitive Stories.......2006-09-10

This pair of movies shows some of the best things that make us human. These movies can be sad, but the triumph of life in the worst of circumstances reminds us that we can to support each other through those times. The first movie is a must-have; the second is nice to watch, but optional for your home library.

"A Walk to Remember"

We meet Landon Carter (Shane West) at the very beginning of the movie. Landon is one of the "popular" crowd. He and several other teenagers have challenged another teenager to jump into a pool of water, where he immediately becomes injured. I quickly disliked Landon and had him pegged as shallow with too much time on his hands; his only goal was to have fun. During the initial portion of the movie I struggled to keep watching because Landon's character was too stereotypical and shallow. Landon is the kind of person I avoided in high school.

Soon we meet Jamie Sullivan (Mandy Moore). Jamie is everything that Landon is not. She is serious and focused. She is involved and has goals. It's also immediately apparent that Jamie is considered a geek and is about as far from being popular as a high school person can be. Yet, I found Jamie to be far more interesting than Landon, and once she was introduced I started to become interested in the story.

At first I thought that Landon was going to spend a fair amount of time trying to have sex with Jamie. He started his relationship in just that way. Jamie has a healthy dose of skepticism for the motives of "popular" males and sees his advances for what they are. Jamie intrigues Landon. She is everything he is not. Landon likes her self-assurance, her goals for the future. In spite of his background, he finds himself falling for her.

We are soon deeply involved in the romance between Jamie and Landon. Jamie share's her goals with Landon, some of which he tries to make come true. One of my favorites was Jamie's goal of being in two places at once. Landon figures a cool way of making it happen.

Eventually we find that Jamie has a secret that she must reluctantly share with Landon. Rather than pushing Landon away, Jamie's secret causes Landon to fall so deeply in love with Jamie that the rest of the movie is incredibly, wonderfully beautiful and poignant.

I puzzled for much of the first part of the movie to figure out what this movie was really about. Was it about Landon? Was it about Jamie? Was it about the two of them together? It took me until the end of the movie to realize that the central character was always Landon. Jamie remains the same person from the beginning to the end, a beautiful soul. Landon starts the film as a shallow person, but changes his life to one of purpose by his exposure to Jamie. We see Jamie fill Landon with a sense of resolve that will carry him through the rest of his life.

After having seen so many awful teen movies, it was wonderful to find one that treated teenagers as people with hopes, dreams and goals. Jamie's secret is profound and sad, but Jamie's secret was but one step in Landon becoming a sensitive man with goals of his own. Therein lays the beauty of this movie. It recognizes that all things beautiful require evolution, and the love that Jamie and Landon share evolves naturally versus a single event that pushes the two toward love.

I strongly recommend this movie for teenagers and older family members, avoiding the younger members of the family due to some of the situations and profanity. Just be sure to have a box of tissues handy.

"I Am Sam"

Sean Penn is outstanding as mentally challenged Sam Dawson. Sam has the intelligence of a 7-year-old, which means his 7-year-old daughter, adorable Dakota Fanning playing Lucy Diamond Dawson, is rapidly passing him in intellectual capacity. Events cause "The Authorities" to take Lucy away from Sam. Sam obtains lawyer Rita Harrison, played by Michelle Pfeiffer, to win his daughter back. Diane Wiest plays Annie, a concerned and intelligent neighbor with some bizarre mental problems of her own. Laura Dern plays Randy, a foster parent interested in adopting Lucy because she and her husband can give Lucy a better home and life than Sam.

Before I give you critical comments, understand that I liked this movie. I thought it was uplifting and positive.

I thought Michelle Pfeiffer did a wonderful job. However, in places she was a little over the top. I think that the director had a great actress and should have let her do her job rather than directing her to be unbelievable.

Laura Dern was a serious disappointment. Laura has a lot of ability, but here she mostly provided "looks" of disapproval or approval or whatever. I blame her poor use on the director.

One last negative comment: when Sam got dressed for court in a suit and went to work at Starbucks, I knew he was going to get something on the suit, everyone watching the movie knew it, and the characters in the movie should have known it. Somehow the "intelligent" people around Sam couldn't foresee and prevent the suit from getting dirty. This event makes me wonder who the mentally challenged person in the movie was.

I am not sure what to say about the bobbling camera. There were places where the bobbling was used to try and give you a "real life" feel. In a few places it was distracting. Eventually I got used to it as I became involved with the characters and the story.

Conclusion: I would definitely watch the movie again, though not for a while. Not a "must buy" for me, though if you are into character stories, this movie could be a good one for your collection.

Average customer rating:

Secondhand Lions/I Am Sam
Starring: Warner 2pak
Manufacturer: New Line Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

( S ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

I Am Trying to Break Your Heart - A Film About Wilco

Average customer rating:

I Was Afraid I Was Going To Hate It
Wilco yes
I Am Trying to Forget This Movie
Good Movie for Wilco Fans
A Rock Film for the ages

I Am Trying to Break Your Heart - A Film About Wilco
Starring: Jeff Tweedy , John Stirratt , Leroy Bach , Glenn Kotche , and Jay Bennett (III)
Director: Sam Jones (IV)
Manufacturer: Plexifilm
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Alt-Country & Americana | Country | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Country Rock | Rock | Styles | Music

Adult Alternative | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Music Video & Concerts | Genres | DVD | Video

Biography | Documentary | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Documentary | Genres | DVD | Video

( I ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Jeff Tweedy - Sunken Treasure - Live in the Pacific Northwest
The Wilco Book (with CD)
Wilco: Learning How to Die
Kicking Television: Live in Chicago
Billy Bragg & Wilco - Man in the Sand (The Making of "Mermaid Avenue")

ASIN: B00008IAMJ
Release Date: 2003-04-01

Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

I Was Afraid I Was Going To Hate It.......2007-04-14

Wilco yes.......2007-01-19

I love this Documentary. ifu love of like or whatever Wilco, you will love this film. beautifully shot and created. yes.

I Am Trying to Forget This Movie.......2006-04-28

Good Movie for Wilco Fans.......2006-04-03

A Rock Film for the ages.......2006-03-24

Average customer rating:

just great to see it again
DVD Packaging?
Mystery Training, or "I'll see your `Other Sister' and raise you a `Flowers for Algernon'"
The Greatest Film I've Ever Seen
One of the best dvd's i've ever watched.

I Am Sam [Region 2]
Starring: Sean Penn , Michelle Pfeiffer , Dakota Fanning , Dianne Wiest , and Loretta Devine
Director: Jessie Nelson
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video