- Actors: John Leguizamo, Adrien Brody, Mira Sorvino, Jennifer Esposito, Michael Rispoli
- Directors: Spike Lee
- Writers: Spike Lee, Michael Imperioli, Victor Colicchio
- Producers: Spike Lee, Jeri Carroll-Colicchio, Jon Kilik, Michael Imperioli
- Format: AC-3, Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, DVD-Video, Letterboxed, Widescreen, NTSC
- Language: English
- Subtitles: English
- Region: (US and Canada This DVD will probably NOT be viewable in other countries. Read more about DVD formats.)
- Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
- Number of discs: 1
- MPAA Rating:
- Studio: Buena Vista
- Release Date: Oct 8 2002
- Run Time: 142 minutes
- Average Customer Review: 3.1 out of 5 stars See all reviews (130 customer reviews)
- ASIN: B00002RAO2
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #15,619 in DVD (See Top 100 in DVD)
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Product Description
From Amazon.com
It's important to note that Spike Lee's drama is not titled Son of Sam. Summer of Sam doesn't chronicle the killer as much as the times: the blistering hot summer of 1977 when the Big Apple's psyche was taken hostage by the lone gunman. We spot the killer (Michael Badalucco) in his mad ramblings, but the film centers on two friends from the Bronx: Vinny and Ritchie (John Leguizamo, Adrien Brody). Vinny and his wife, Dionna (Mira Sorvino), bury a bad marriage (he cheats at a drop of a hat) in the disco halls of the area. Ritchie returns to the neighborhood sporting punk hair, punk clothes, and a British accent that immediately infuriates the neighborhood boys oozing far too much testosterone. Cops, local mob leaders, and the guys on the street all have ideas who the killer is; neighborhood loners to Reggie Jackson (in the midst of World Series heroism) are on their misguided lists of suspects. When the film looks at how the citizens faced the fearful times, Lee scores with his energetic camerawork and pop soundtrack. Yet the film is banal in its domestic dramatics. The film takes large detours into Vinny's home sex life (stagnant) and Ritchie's extracurricular activities. One of the marriage arguments--though real and well acted--is so long and cliché-ridden you wonder if someone fell asleep in the editing booth. Add the point-blank killings and nonstop vulgarity and you have Lee's most unpleasant film. --Doug Thomas
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Customer Reviews
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Most helpful customer reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
"Feverish, intense, and electrifying.",
By Orlando Clah (Phoenix, Az) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Summer of Sam (VHS Tape)
The Summer of Sam is one of my favorite movies in recent memory. The story takes place in 1977 in NYC. The story doesn't focus on the "Son of Sam",but rather focuses on the people and accounts that made 1977 a summer to remember. Oppression, sexuality, violence, fear, and rebellion are the key elements in the Spike Lee feature. However, that is not a bad thing, instead of exploiting these traits they are weaved through each characters unique personality where each person copes with them in a certain way. This is what makes The Summer of Sam such a great film. We see the different reactions and actions people had in 1977 in NYC. The movie shows us the darker side of humanity on many levels. The film also does a great job of showing memorable 70's culture such as the beginning of the punk-era and the height of disco. The performances are wonderful. John Leguizamo, Jennifer Esposito, Mira Sorvino, and the rest of the cast performances' are brilliant. Adrian Brody does an outstanding performance as Ritchie. His punk personified, male-hustling, open minded role was electrifying. The cinematography is sleek and feverish and is accompanied by a sizzling soundtrack. The Summer of Sam is one of the best films I seen last year. The performances, characters, script, and cinematography were all wonderful. The film is vulgar, but often touches on lighter notes such as humor and friendship. Overall, The Summer of Sam is a great film and shouldn't be missed. I recommend it highly. Thank you, Mr. Lee.
1.0 out of 5 stars
Life on the streets,
By Virus (Ontario, Canada) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Summer of Sam (DVD)
I can't believe I sat through this thing in it's entirety. It felt like 4 hours of drudgery.The movie is brilliantly shot, and the acting is real/believable. The main problem comes when you realize that the subject matter just isn't that interesting at all. The portrayal of people living their everyday lives in a New York neighbourhood and then slowly boiling with suspicion is slightly interesting. The story spends too much time filling in the mundane details of the resident's lives though. The focus is lost with extended scenes of drug use, sex, and marital troubles. These sequences tell us about the characters, but do not serve the larger story arc at all. Some dramatic irony occurs as the residents spend their time throwing out theories on who they think the killer is, and even accusing each other. Meanwhile there are scenes of the REAL killer going about his work. Overall this movie feels too long, it loses it's focus by lingering on the boring elements that should have hit the editing room floor.
4.0 out of 5 stars
Spike Lee's brilliant direction,
By Cedd Dogg "dArTh NaDeR" (stockton, ca. United States) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Summer of Sam (DVD)
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.
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