Preface: This is an old movie released at the turn of the century.

I can’t remember exactly on which afternoon I first encountered it. I am someone whose emotions often bow to reason, so I won’t delve into the awareness of rights among foreign citizens, nor the distinctions between so-called “normal” people and those with intellectual disabilities. The musical feast provided by the singing stars in the movie is also beyond my scope of reflection. I watched it as a film documenting paternal love, and during both viewings, I was repeatedly moved to tears as I recalled the beautiful memories of my father when he was healthy in his earlier years.

Lucy: Daddy, did God make you like this, or was it an accident?
Sam: Okay, what do you mean?
Lucy: I mean, you’re different.
Sam: But what do you mean?
Lucy: You’re not like other daddies.
Sam: I’m sorry. I’m sorry. Yeah, I’m sorry.
Lucy: It’s okay, Daddy. It’s okay. Don’t be sorry. I’m lucky. Nobody else’s daddy ever comes to the park.

Classic Dialogue from I Am Sam

Sam’s first appearance is a close-up of his hands. He clumsily rearranges the drink condiments on the Starbucks counter. Later, these same hands, though slow, cradle his precious “diamond” of a daughter, Lucy. [In the movie, Lucy’s name is inspired by the Beatles song Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds, which parallels the naming of Lin Daiyu in Dream of the Red Chamber, where she is described as a “pearl in the palm” of her parents.]

Lucy is born unexpectedly and grows up relying solely on her father, Sam, whose mental capacity is equivalent to that of a 7-year-old. But what does it matter? Sam never complains. He starts from scratch, learning to care for his daughter day and night. One scene that deeply imprinted on my mind is when Sam changes Lucy’s diaper in the middle of the night and holds her tiny, delicate hand, saying, “You were very beautiful this morning.” His face, drenched in sweat in the darkness, radiates the pride and honor of being a father.

Lucy cautiously asks her father, “Will she (referring to her mother, who abandoned her) never come back?” Sam pauses for a moment, then looks up and answers seriously, “Paul McCartney lost his mother when he was little, and John Lennon lost his mother when he was little. Annie says sometimes God has to pick some special people.” At this point, can you still doubt Sam’s ability to raise Lucy? His intellectual limitations cannot overshadow the brilliance of his wisdom. I truly applaud him.

When Sam takes Lucy to buy shoes and doesn’t have enough money, his friends willingly chip in their limited cash to make up the difference. They walk down the street with balloons from the shoe store, leading Lucy in joyous celebration. Such a pure and beautiful world—does it make the “normal” people, who are no longer simple, feel ashamed or envious?

At Lucy’s parent-teacher meeting, Sam knows how to step in when his daughter stumbles during her speech in front of her classmates. When another father, in stark contrast, tries to control his child and creates tension, Sam whispers to Lucy, “I think he could let his boy feel better.” Yes, dear fathers on high, can you shift your focus more to your child’s genuine feelings rather than your own fragile egos?

Sam prepares a special birthday party for Lucy, rehearsing tirelessly in the house, teaching everyone to shout “surprise” when she walks in.

The Child Protective Services workers, believing Sam incapable of raising Lucy due to the many challenges they foresee, “kindly” take Lucy in, allowing Sam only two visits a month, each lasting two hours.

He begins to fight for the right to live with his daughter again. With the help of his lawyer, Rita, he eventually succeeds.

I particularly love the moment when Sam, after being promoted at Starbucks to make coffee, tells Lucy, “Always set your dream higher, Lucy.” An optimistic and proactive father is truly inspiring. He always brings encouragement and hope when you’re feeling lost and lacking confidence.

After saving enough to buy an answering machine, he carefully practices with his friends to ensure the recorded message makes him sound like a good father. This is one of the many moments in the movie where Sam reflects on his role as a father.

In all these ways, Sam achieves the pinnacle of fatherhood. He gives Lucy all his love and care, and his dedication and focus make you believe that the bond between parent and child can create a kind of superpower—one that isn’t determined by intellectual capacity.

- by Jessie