i am sam

What does it mean to be Mentally Challenged?

• Refers to those whose IQ is below 70-75 and often have difficulties with social behavior.

• Around 3% of the population has some form of mental challenge.

• As a group, mentally challenged children usually walk and talk later, are slightly shorter and are usually more susceptible to physical problems and illnesses than other children.

• This movie will explore this life. Sean Penn plays Sam, and Dakota Fanning plays his daughter, Lucy.

What does it mean to be a foster child?

• A foster child is someone who is raised by foster parents.

• A foster parent is a person who acts as parent and guardian for a child in place of the child's natural parents but without legally adopting the child.

• In the movie, Lucy is placed with a foster family during the court proceedings.

“I Am Sam” Movie Summary:

• Sam Dawson has the mental capacity of a 7-year-old.

• He works at a Starbucks and is obsessed with the Beatles.

• He has a daughter with a homeless woman; she abandons them as soon as they leave the hospital.

• He names his daughter Lucy Diamond (after the Beatles song), and raises her.

• When Lucy reaches age 7 she intentionally holds back at school to avoid looking smarter than him.

• The authorities take her away, and Sam shames high-priced lawyer Rita Harrison into taking his case pro bono (for free).

• In the process, he teaches her a great deal about love, and whether it's really all you need.