Overcoming limitations

I Am Sam topbilled by Sean Penn and Michelle Pfeiffer touches on one of life’s limitations — physical handicap. The drama that unfolds in the life of Sam Dawson (Penn) was more of an eye opener than a tearjerker. Sam is mentally challenged with a mind of a seven-year-old kid. But despite his awkward situation, he makes himself useful working as a busboy in a Starbucks coffee shop to earn his keep. Despite his inability to comprehend the massive intricacies of modern life, he was able to cope by simply being himself. He wakes up regularly, attends to domestic chores, works in a coffee shop and follows such a “numbered routine.” And believe it or not, he gets by.

Sam is independent and basically his own self. Except for really complicated things Sam is never a liability. In fact he is loved by his boss and his customers. But what is more endearing about the movie is his other persona, of being a single parent to an intelligent daughter named Lucy (Dakota Fanning).

One touching scene is when Lucy listens intently to her father read her a new book from school but in the end finding herself reading out to Sam the more “difficult” words. For Sam, any deviation from his routine is a great burden. And for those who do not know him well, he reads Dr. Seuss.

With the sensitivity and expressiveness of the actors, the dialogue seems unnecessary in conveying the message of unconditional love of a father for his daughter and vice versa. This brings to fore the ability of Lucy and Sam to overcome each other’s limitations. The movie is a picture of reality more real than life itself.

We live in a world where success is measured by the number of zeroes in one’s back account or the awards bestowed on us. With Sam, success means overcoming his limitations. Success is simply working at Starbucks, where he gets promoted. Success for him is being a father to Lucy, to be a “family.” For top lawyer Rita Harris (Pfeiffer), on the other hand, success is sweeter when she tries to keep the family of Lucy and Sam from breaking up. Come to think of it, the limitations of the major character in the movie make them better persons. Sam, with his feeble mind is more blessed for he is spared from complexities of having to own the must-have things like the latest camera cellphone or flashiest car just to make him feel good and be accepted in his circle of friends. Lucy goes beyond tradition and against society’s norm by looking after her father.

Rita, limiting herself to cases that will bring her money or prestige, alienates herself from her “true self” and it is only when she has taken in Sam’s case does she discover who she really is and what makes her happy and fulfilled. The custody case also brings Rita closer to her senses and true feelings as she renews her relationship with her son who has grown distant and aloof to her.

There’s another interesting character named Annie who is also a great help to Sam in raising Lucy despite her being a recluse. Annie has her own limitations despite her being a musical genius and an honor student. However, these limitations bring her closer to Sam with whom she has found an affiliation. In the end, she is able to help Sam be a father to Lucy and in return she discovers new things in herself that make her more content.

As imperfect as we may seem to be, we must always be true to ourselves and work our way through it. During this time of economic difficulty, let us not sulk in the corner. Rather let us look inside ourselves and be more creative and start thinking of ways to overcome our limitations.