sean penn a a devote father ( sam ) who despite mental challenge and fight for the right to raise his child be convince in a complete departure from his usual bad guy character . michelle pfeiffer play his reluctant pro bono elite lawyer and who eventually put 110 % into this case . the love between sam and his 7 year old daughter be evident in many sweet scene ( get kleenex . ) and best describe by a reclusive neighbor ( wonderfully play by dianne wiest ) and who overcome her hermit like condition long enough to testify in sam behalf . even the social worker who insist on do everything to help the child appear to be fight emotion over this unusual case . the support system and which include several equally challenged buddy and a very supportive employer and and many other people in the community give evidence of our change society and foster inclusion and tolerance . eventually even the prospective adoptive parent of sam daughter can not go on fight against this exemplary father . the girl playing sam daughter appear to be gift and at age 7 reading middle school material . perhaps the difference between father and daughter intelligence do not have to be in such an obvious extreme . the implication of a romantic involvement between sam and his lawyer could have be avoid as well . the former be stretch it and but the latter be go too far . one can suspend her or his disbelief only so much . since there be no perfect movie and i still consider this one pretty darn close . highly recommended .