Posted by Chasing Mallclerks at pcp03614513pcs.benslm01.pa.comcast.net on July 22, 2003 at 09:12:08:
In Reply to: Just watched I Am Sam for the first time... posted by jthecamb on July 22, 2003 at 02:13:13:
Having worked with Mentally Challenged folks for 13 years, that movie bugged the crap out of me.
1) There is no way social services would have let him leave the hospital with that child. And even if so there is no way he could have gone 8 years without someone official stepping in to assist him. With that said I am also of the mind that Mentally Challenged parents can be as healthy to a child as "normal" parents, but having knowledge of the system the far-fetched circumstances bugged me real bad.
2) The sexual tension that then had going on between the two main characters had me cringing. It was just not right; I equate the feeling to watching an adult crossing the line with a child. They could have expressed the love she developed for him a little more clear and responsible.
3) They were not consistent with his need for structure in his life. Certain things he was able to handle sudden changes with, and others he would freak out over. This also was the one thing that would be the hardest thing to over look as far as fathering a child goes. With assistance he still could have been a fine father, but the level of assistance was not reflected in this film.