SUMMER OF SAM RATING: 7.5 / 10 --> Very good movie
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Spike Lee decides to take a novel route through his latest joint, foregoing his usual emphasis on the lives of African-Americans, and instead, taking a deep plunge into the mishmash of activity in the late 70s of New York City. The "Son of Sam" serial killer, the Italian neighborhood caught in its paranoiac frenzy, the burgeoning punk rock scene, the New York Yankees and their bid for the Championship, the last days of disco, and well, what else...love.
PLOT: This film takes a look at a certain group of people in an Italian neighborhood during one of New York City's most turbulent times. The year was 1977 and the "Son of Sam" serial killer was on the loose. Meanwhile, a husband cheats on his wife, a good ol' Italian boy turns punk and turns tricks to support his music career, the police ask the Mob for help catching the killer, while the rest of the Italian boys scratch out their own list of suspects.
CRITIQUE: A slice of life movie. This film is not for everyone, and will most certainly not be enjoyed by those who go in expecting a serial killer thriller, or a story told via the traditional trajectory. This movie is for those folks who enjoy an authentic look back at a time and place in life, a story full of rich characters, a delectable shooting style reminiscent of films like GOODFELLAS (10/10) and BOOGIE NIGHTS (8/10), a lively and appropriate soundtrack, and a superb cast of actors banging out their greatest thespian hits. I personally believe that this film represents John Leguizamo's finest work on film yet, with a terrific portrayal of a man being torn apart by his respect of tradition and his more primitive yearnings. Adrien Brody plays another great character, managing to capture all of Ritchie's punk-rock attitude and bravado, with plenty of charm and humanity, to register his person as one to care about.
On the down side, I think that the film could've been chopped down by twenty minutes or so, and certainly been improved upon if the distracting appearance of Spike Lee as a nerdy reporter, had been left on the cutting room floor. Having said that, Spike the director has stylistically outdone himself with this picture, playing with everything from the lights, to the film stock, to the quick cuts to the camera angles...Oliver Stone beware! I personally have always been a sucker for style and an interesting story told by the point of view of lively and authentic characters. In fact, the "Son of Sam" killer angle in this film is simply a backdrop to the proceedings of these people's lives. An external stimulus mixed in to add paranoia to their overflowing vat of personal issues in the hot, dirty summer of New York City. This film managed to make me feel like I was there during that period. Feel the music, smell the piss on the floor, see the craziness. If you want to know more about the killer, then this film certainly ain't for you, but if you want to bask in a couple of hours plus of interesting characters dealing with real issues during a serial killer frenzy in the late 1970s of New York City, a groovy soundtrack and a visual style that never lets you get bored for a second, try this one on for size! It's sure to fit just right.
Little Known Facts about this film and its stars: The real "Son of Sam" (David Berkowitz) converted to Christianity about 11 years ago, and maintains his own Web site out of jail: http://www.inetworld.net/hutrcc/david.htm Mira Sorvino's part of "Dionna" in this film was originally given to Jennifer Esposito, but she had to take a different part as "Ruby" when scheduling conflicts prevented her from taking the lead. Screenwriter Michael Imperioli also acts in this picture. You may also remember him from one of his most infamous roles as "Spider" from Martin Scorsese's classic mob tale GOODFELLAS (10/10), in which he gets shot in the foot by the Joe Pesci character. He also plays a character named Christopher on TV's "The Sopranos" who, in tribute to his earlier role, shoots someone else in the foot. Ironically, co-screenwriter Victor Collichio also had a part in GOODFELLAS, as one of Henry's 80s crew. John Leguizamo claims that he is actually a better dancer than the film portrays, since he had to wear high-heeled shoes for his dancing scenes with Mira Sorvino, because the filmmakers felt as though their size discrepancy was an issue. Leguizamo didn't really care about the size difference. He's 5'5", she's 5'11". Leguizamo was born in Bogotá, Colombia, and moved to America with his family when he was four. He was accepted into Lee Strasberg's Actors Studio and studied with the master for one day before Strasberg died. The staple white guy in most Spike Lee films, John Turturro, makes a surreptitious appearance in this film as well. Listen closely, and you may just recognize his voice as that of the dog which speaks to the "Son of Sam" character at some point in the movie. Mira Sorvino is a babe who has degree from Harvard University, speaks fluent Mandarin Chinese and once dated video-store clerk turned into director extraordinaire Quentin Tarantino, Boxing champion Evander Holyfield has a two-bit part as a "man in riot" during one scene, while screenwriters Victor Collichio and Michael Imperioli both make appearances as the characters of "Chickie" and "Midnight" respectively. Retired Det. Richard Paul was the Technical Advisor on this film. He was involved in the first "Son of Sam" homicide. This film was originally titled THE SON OF SAM.
Review Date: July 12, 1999
Director: Spike Lee
Writers: Victor Collichio, Michael Imperioli and Spike Lee
Producers: John Kilik and Spike Lee
Actors: John Leguizamo as Vinny
Mira Sorvino as Dionna
Adrien Brody as Ritchie
Jennifer Esposito as Ruby
Genre: Drama
Year of Release: 1999
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(c) 1999 Berge Garabedian
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