History YMMV / IAmSam

* CriticalDissonance: In spite of the critics being most unfavorable to it, the film actually has respectable audience ratings on sites like Rotten Tomatoes, [=IMDb=] and Letterboxd.

* QuestionableCasting: The eponymous character, who is intellectually disabled and possibly [[HollywoodAutism on the autism spectrum]], is played by Creator/SeanPenn, who is neurotypical. As time moves on and sensibilities towards the portrayal and treatment of the developmentally disadvantaged become more nuanced, Penn taking the role in lieu of [[DisabledCharacterDisabledActor someone who actually is mentally disabled]] has been viewed as undermining the point of the film and its supposed sympathies. While the argument can and has been made that such casting can be excused on matters of practicality and production logistics, the fact the rest of the movie is seen as grade-A {{Glurge}} makes the decision underlined with manipulative connotations, most infamously with the likes of ''Film/TropicThunder'' using ''i am sam'' as the epitome of "using mental disability as OscarBait".

* WTHCastingAgency: The eponymous character, who is intellectually disabled and possibly [[HollywoodAutism on the autism spectrum]], is played by Creator/SeanPenn, who is neurotypical. In recent years there has been controversy over casting non-disabled actors for roles meant for people with disabilities, although Sam's friends are played by [[DisabledCharacterDisabledActor actors who are disabled in reality]]. [[StrawmanHasAPoint There are some disabilities with certain effects that have to be played by abled-bodied actors for reasons of production practicality, particularly in films and shows featuring quite young child characters with these disabilities]].

* CriticalDissonance: In spite of the critics being most unfavorable to it, the film actually has respectable audience ratings on sites like Rotten Tomatoes and [=IMDb=].

* WTHCastingAgency: The eponymous character, who is intellectually disabled and possibly [[HollywoodAutism on the autism spectrum]], is played by Creator/SeanPenn, who is neurotypical. In recent years there has been controversy over casting non-disabled actors for roles meant for people with disabilities, although Sam's friends are played by [[DisabledCharacterDisabledActor actors who are disabled in reality]].

%%* TearJerker: Nearly all the way.

* WhatDoYouMeanItsNotForKids: [[Creator/DrSeuss I am Sam. Sam I am.]] Make absolutely sure you don't get confused by that.

* ParodyDisplacement: Nowadays the only time someone ever brings up the film is in reference to being mentioned in ''Film/TropicThunder'' and ''WesternAnimation/DrawnTogether''.

* AmbiguousDisorder: While Sam's disability is never outright specified, his highly methodical thoughts and actions, narrow-minded obsession with Music/TheBeatles, occasional struggles with verbalizing his thoughts, apparent sarcasm-blindness, poor responses to stress, and displays of stimming when emotionally overwhelmed imply that he is meant to be severely autistic. However, his characterization plays up so many stereotypes of the disorder that it veers heavily into HollywoodAutism territory.

* ParodyDisplacement: Nowadays the only time someone ever brings up the film is due to the ''Film/TropicThunder'' reference.

* ValuesDissonance: Terms such as "retarded" and other terms such as "mentally disabled" are thrown around numerous times, including from Lucy's classmate Connor.

* WTHCastingAgency: The eponymous character, who is intellectually disabled and possibly [[HollywoodAutism on the autism spectrum]], is played by Creator/SeanPenn, who is neurotypical and not intellectually disabled. In recent years there has been controversy over casting non-disabled actors for roles meant for people with disabilities, although Sam's friends are played by [[DisabledCharacterDisabledActor actors who are disabled in reality]].

** Meta example: The eponymous character, who is intellectually disabled and possibly [[HollywoodAutism on the autism spectrum]], is played by Creator/SeanPenn, who is neurotypical and not intellectually disabled. In recent years there has been controversy over casting non-disabled actors for roles meant for people with disabilities, although Sam's friends are played by [[DisabledCharacterDisabledActor actors who are disabled in reality]].

* {{Tearjerker}}: Nearly all the way.

* WeirdAlEffect: Nowadays the only time someone ever brings up the film is due to the ''Film/TropicThunder'' reference.

** Meta example: along with HarsherInHindsight, the eponymous character, who is intellectually disabled and possibly [[HollywoodAutism on the autism spectrum]], is played by Creator/SeanPenn, who is neurotypical and not intellectually disabled. In recent years there has been controversy over casting non-disabled actors for roles meant for people with disabilities, although Sam's friends are played by [[DisabledCharacterDisabledActor actors who are disabled in reality]].

* SomeAnvilsNeedToBeDropped: While the film is often accused of exaggerating too much for the sake of drama, there are some handicapped people who share Sam's frustration with trying their absolute hardest to be a functioning member of society and, for whatever reason, failing no matter what.