Cheap Summer of Sam (DVD) (John Leguizamo, Mira Sorvino, Adrien Brody) (Spike Lee) Price

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Customer Reviews of Summer of Sam

As other reviewers have stated, this is not about Son of Sam, but about the Summer of Sam. Even though this serial killer's character was kept in the background, he took center stage because of how he affected so many others. The story was just as suspenseful as any good thriller, and on many different levels.

What I found particularly interesting was how they portrayed the marriage of characters John Leguizamo and Miro Sorvino, and showed how Leguizamo's deeply ingrained religious/cultural beliefs impacted their relationship and kept him from having with his wife what he sought out with other women.

The acting was great and -- Wow! -- what a cast. It was a veritable feast of familiar faces -- Bebe Neuwirth, John Savage, Mira Sorvino, Ben Gazzarra, Patti LuPone, etc. etc. A real surprise was seeing actor Michael Imperioli and then reading in the credits that he was one of the writers of the film. It would seem that the story line for his character "Christopher" on the Sopranos (where he has writing aspirations) mirrors his real-life abilities. This is one talented guy.

All in all, this is a great film that keeps you thinking -- and one of those rare movies that, if you watch it again, will show you things you hadn't seen before.

Summer Of Sam
New York, Summer 1977 and, in addition to one of the hottest heat waves the city has ever experienced, David Berkowitz - The Son of Sam - prowls the neighbourhoods for over a year killing indescrimately. However, although Berkowitz' activities form the central backdrop to the story, the film is far more interesting, presenting as it does more of a snapshot of neighbourhood life at the time. Director Spike Lee is an acknowledged master of the genre (whose work is akin to that of Britain's Mike Leigh) and he utilises the usual elements to reinforce his points. A montage of genuine footage and news reports interject with the story of John Leguizamo's (Vinny) adulterous marriage to Mira Sorvino and his best friend Adrien Brody (Richie, complete with awful English accent early in the film). Richie is a bi-sexual-by-convenience punk rocker who is totally misunderstood and eventually outcast by the low-life neighbourhood wise-guys, ultimately becoming their target as the most likely Son of Sam suspect. Vinny's divided loyalties to both the local bone-heads in regard his friend Richie and the consequences of his numerous affairs once uncovered by his wife nicely heighten the personal tension felt by the whole community. And the understandable paranoia is all here: the rush for brunettes to turn blonde overnight (Berkowitx seemed to favour the murder of dark haired individuals), the local cops forming an unholy alliance with the neighbourhood Godfather for help in the case, the heat wave and ensuing blackout that led to widespread looting, fingers being pointed by everyone at anyone for the most tenuous of reasons. A smouldering melting-pot then of story-telling, nostalgia and, indeed, fear. Berkowitz' crimes are summarised by sledgehammer inserts which, although brief, do truly shock and Lee takes time out to give a brief insight into the madness that spurned him on, right down to the infamous black dog he purported as telling him to "kill, kill, kill"! With a film score utilising Club hits of the day (disco, disco, disco!), the obligatory punk workout and even some tracks from The Who (who we could take issue with as being proclaimed "The Fathers of Punk" but as Lee wasn't in the UK when Punk was born we can let this slide, just this once), there's some nice touches with cameo slots given over to the Studio 54 and Platos Retreat scenes. All in all, this is another solid accomplishment from Lee that not only does justice to a number of entwining stories but is also an accomplished piece of nostalgia. Way above average, this definitely deserves two hours of your attention. The Mad Ferret, London, England

Spike Lee's brilliant direction
Spike lee is a brilliant director and it show's with this movie. his direction and placement of camera positions and angels is just plain remarkable! this movie is a masterpiece of film makeing, good job Mr. Spike Lee!!! I only hope you continue to make more film's with this style.