Penn is quite good in his latest role and is certainly not the problem here; rather, it is a plot worthy of a TV movie-of-the week that brings the film down. Sam, who has the intellectual capacity of a seven year-old, gets a girl he barely knows pregnant. After giving birth, the mother flees, leaving Sam alone to raise their daughter whom he names Lucy in honor of the Beatles’ classic “Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds.” (Sam is an idiot savant when it comes to Beatles’ knowledge and trivia.)

Against all logic, Sam is able to raise the somewhat precocious Lucy (Dakota Fanning) until she is seven years old with just the help of an agoraphobic neighbor named Annie (Dianne Wiest, in another one of her oddball roles). Lucy is well aware that her dad is different, but she loves him unconditionally nonetheless and wants to stay by his side. The LA. County Child Welfare Department doesn’t see it that way and remands Lucy to foster parents. Sam decides to fight for custody and hires a high-strung, high-powered attorney named Rita Harrison (Michelle Pfeiffer) to take on the bureaucrats. Pfeiffer injects much needed levity as the “Type A” personality who drives like a maniac through the streets of Los Angeles in her sports car.

The chief problem of “I Am Sam” is that its “all you need is love” theme is far too simplistic for the issues presented. The representatives for the Child Welfare Department come across as burned out drones seeking only want to ruin Sam’s life. The fact that they have Lucy’s best interests at heart is conveniently ignored. Adding to the saccharine feel is that Harrison becomes a better parent to her neglected son only after watching Sam dote on his daughter.

If by no other means, “I Am Sam” is redeemed to some degree by its a great soundtrack. Artists such as Aimee Mann, the Wallflowers, Sarah McLachlan, Eddie Vedder, Ben Folds and Sheryl Crow turn in fine cover versions of Beatles classics.