Single parent Sam Dawson (Penn) has the mental capacity of a seven year old and Lucy (Fanning), a daughter he unknowingly fathered with a homeless woman. When Lucy’s school begins to suspect as much, social services are called in and the little girl winds up being fostered by Laura Dern. Sam enlists the help of hot-shot lawyer and ruthless career woman Rita (Pfeiffer) in order to get his daughter back.

As if he weren’t unfortunate enough, Sam’s head contains a never-ending soundtrack of The Beatles’ most simpleton efforts – Mother Nature’s Son; Lovely Rita; Here, There And Everywhere. Need we go on.

This, however, is but one of many failings in this gooey melodrama which too often plays as an identikit tug-of-love affair.

It’s difficult to argue with I Am Sam’s efficiency as a gushing weepie, and the central performances are effective, if showy in an Oscar courting kind of way. In fact, Pfieffer puts in a career best as the lawyer-bitch who learns the true meaning of parental love. Or something.

Sure to elicit cries of Awww!!! and Yuk!!! in equal measure.