I Am Sam – College Essay Example

concluding remarks of Mr. Turner incited a powerful emotional response from Sam, who was unable to restrain his tears and wholly agreed with Mr. Turner's assertions, firmly declaring that Lucy merited all the positive things in existence. Their connection was evidently apparent when they were bidding each other goodbye post-hearing - their mutual fondness was palpable even while recognizing the sad inevitability of their temporary separation until the legal system decided otherwise. The faces wet with tears conveyed their internal conflict. Rita, the caseworker responsible for their separation carried a heavy heart; her uplifted hand and averted face indicated she wished not to invade this touching farewell moment. Seeing Sam and Lucy's emotional distress seemed to profoundly impact her as well; her tear-filled eyes revealed her sympathy towards their unfortunate circumstances.

In an incident where Sam misses his first court-appointed evaluation prompting Rita to visit his apartment, Sam spirals into an emotional meltdown. He painfully admits his belief that his daughter, Lucy, no longer needs him now that she has a new family. Despite Rita's disbelief at this revelation and her reassurance that this is not the case, Sam insists on the truth of his feelings. Beyond her disbelief, Rita sees the deep anguish painted on Sam's face stemming from his feelings of loss and frustration. She, however, tries to encourage him by assuring him that he could regain custody of Lucy if he fights for it. Overwhelmed with despair, Sam emphatically voices out his frustration over his unsuccessful attempts at regaining custody. Rita nonetheless pushes him further to give it another shot evoking a passionate outburst from Sam expressing the intense frustration of

repeated failures.

Since you were born flawless and I was born in this condition. Individuals like you are unaware! Individuals like you don't comprehend the experience of being hurt! People like you are devoid of emotions! You, people, don't experience any feeling! At this moment, Rita's face displays signs of offense, pain, and distress as she does comprehend the feeling and even individuals like her undergo difficult situations. Subsequently, Rita experiences her own emotional turmoil, divulging that individuals like her often feel "abandoned, insignificant and disposable."

As Rita narrated her situation to Sam, her feelings became evident as she spoke of her husband's unfaithfulness involving a woman who seemed "far superior than herself." Her pain due to the tense relationship with her "son who harbors resentment towards her" was palpable. She admitted that she often uses harsh language with her seven-year-old son when he refuses to get in the car after school each day. As they prepared for Sam's impending scrutiny at their final custody hearing, Rita invited him to her house where they started discussing Willie, Rita's child. Sam pointed out how lucky Rita is to have unrestricted time with Willie whenever she desires. However, Rita quickly denied this by asserting that Willie shows no desire in spending any time with her.

Sam conveyed to Rita his intent to engage with Willie, but he perceived that she might not share the same desire. Rita found it preposterous for Willie to think she isn't interested in interacting when in reality, she is. This scenario exemplifies social exchange theory where Rita assists Sam in his pursuit of gaining custody over Lucy, while also

helping him understand Willie's emotions and feelings of abandonment brought about by their parents' absence.

During a shared meal, Sam and Rita are actively planning for Sam's upcoming court case, punctuated by moments of humor and lightness. The emotional effect is evident when Sam discloses information about Willie to Rita. Towards the end of the film, Lucy's foster mother - Randy, brings Lucy to visit Sam and reveals that Lucy has expressed her wish to reside with him.

Randy expresses her regret to Sam for the series of events that unfolded after she was given custody of Lucy. She informs him that she won't be testifying again him in the upcoming court hearing. Instead, she plans on advocating for him to regain custody of Lucy. In response, Sam conveys his heartfelt appreciation towards Randy, stating that she is the 'red' in Lucy's paintings. Randy's actions and Sam's response clearly exemplify the social exchange theory, which is further embodied in the subsequent scene showing a joyous Lucy playing soccer with Sam as her coach and referee.

Upon Lucy's successful goal, Randy, Rita, Willie, and Sam's mates cheer from the crowd. It's clear this is a victory for all, given that Lucy continues to have a relationship with Randy despite Sam regaining custody, and Rita remains a feature in Sam's life despite no longer serving as his legal counsel. This serves as an excellent illustration of a mutually beneficial result. From my perspective, the film uniquely portrays these elements of communication better than other films listed, particularly in light of Sam's impairment.

Considering Sam's disability, his main form of communication relies on facial

cues and body language. Consequently, all other characters in the film who engage with him also adopt these communication techniques. Additionally, in my opinion, the movie superbly demonstrates the social exchange theory by highlighting how life can dramatically transform when an important element is lost, even for those like Sam who live with disabilities.

Given Sam's condition and societal prejudice against individuals with similar disabilities, one might not anticipate many people—particularly a prominent and high-cost lawyer like Rita—to extend patience or take the time to hear Sam's issues. Yet, as the film progressed, I saw how Sam gradually influenced Rita's perspective on various matters. He enabled her to understand her behaviour and how her bond with her son was diminishing.

Failing to properly employ non-verbal signals, such as body language and face expressions, can adversely influence your personal life, particularly if your job involves regular engagement with various groups. These components are crucial for effective communication. Including the social exchange theory might also have effects on personal connections. Focusing only on individual needs at the expense of others in a relationship may lead to feelings of loneliness or cessation of attempts to reach outcomes that benefit everyone involved, both of which are essential for maintaining balanced relationships.