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Summer of Sam (1999)
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Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writers:
Release Date:
2 July 1999 (USA)
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Tagline:
The summer of '77 was a killer........ more
Plot:
Spike Lee's take on the "Son of Sam" murders in New York City during the summer of 1977 centering on the residents of an Italian-American South Bronx neighborhood who live in fear and distrust of one another. | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
Fear
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Murder
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New York City
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Italian American
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Distrust
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Awards:
4 nominations
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NewsDesk:
(16 articles)
Brody to Join Predators Cast
(From Icons of Fright. 7 October 2009, 12:00 PM, PDT)
Top Ten Underrated Films (Of All Time)
(From FilmShaft.com. 2 September 2009, 11:15 AM, PDT)
(From Icons of Fright. 7 October 2009, 12:00 PM, PDT)
Top Ten Underrated Films (Of All Time)
(From FilmShaft.com. 2 September 2009, 11:15 AM, PDT)
User Comments:
The Son of Sam story is an effective backdrop
more (328 total)
Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only)| John Leguizamo | ... | Vinny | |
| Adrien Brody | ... | Richie | |
| Mira Sorvino | ... | Dionna | |
| Jennifer Esposito | ... | Ruby | |
| Michael Rispoli | ... | Joey T | |
| Saverio Guerra | ... | Woodstock | |
| Brian Tarantina | ... | Bobby Del Fiore | |
| Al Palagonia | ... | Anthony | |
| Ken Garito | ... | Brian | |
| Bebe Neuwirth | ... | Gloria | |
| Patti LuPone | ... | Helen | |
| Mike Starr | ... | Eddie | |
| Anthony LaPaglia | ... | Detective Lou Petrocelli | |
| Roger Guenveur Smith | ... | Detective Curt Atwater | |
| Ben Gazzara | ... | Luigi |
Additional Details
Also Known As:
The Son of Sam (USA) (working title)
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MPAA:
Rated R for strong graphic violence and sexuality, pervasive strong language and drug use.
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
142 min
Country:
Color:
Color (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
Canada:18+ (Ontario) |
USA:R (certificate #36756) |
Iceland:16 |
Belgium:16 (video rating) |
Singapore:R21 (cut) |
USA:NC-17 (original rating) |
Italy:VM14 |
Argentina:18 |
Australia:R |
Chile:18 |
Finland:K-16 |
France:-12 |
Germany:16 |
Japan:R-15 |
New Zealand:R18 |
Norway:15 |
South Korea:18 |
Sweden:15 |
UK:18 |
Portugal:M/18 |
Malaysia:(Banned) |
Philippines:R-18
Filming Locations:
Company:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
In the script, Richie (Adrien Brody) was the lead character while Vinny was a secondary character. But Spike Lee enjoyed John Leguizamo's improvising so much that he ended up giving him more screen time. The scene where Vinny pours coffee on Gloria was one of many improvisations by Leguizamo.
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Goofs:
Continuity: When Vinny is looking at the bodies in the car, he reaches his arm in and touches one. His arm is subsequently in/out of the car between shots.
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Soundtrack:
Running Away
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FAQ
Is "Summer of Sam" based on a book?How was the Son of Sam finally caught?
Who was the "Son of Sam"?
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more (328 total)
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I really enjoyed this movie. The Son of Sam killings are just a backdrop to a slice-of-life story in New York City in the summer of 1977. I believe that Spike Lee wanted to tell a story about the seventies - the excesses of sex, drugs and the desperation of the times. He chose a summer that stood out in the minds of the people who lived through it because of the record heat, the murders and the blackout. The Son of Sam killer was in one sense a strongly contrasting back drop and in another sense an extreme sign of the times. David Berkowitz was out of control and driven by invisible demons, but that could be said of the main character Vinnie. The difference between the two could almost be reduced to a matter of degree. I was struck by the part of the story where a group of friends thought the killer was one of their own because he was into punk rock and same-sex sex for money. Their misunderstanding of the killer seemed startling in light of what we know about serial killers today, but was dead on for the time. Spike Lee reminds us with this movie how much damage is done when we allow ourselves to be driven by our ignorance and fear. He makes us uncomfortable, of course, but the lesson rings so true. As far as the direction went, I thought that it was classic Spike Lee with a little taken from some other popular young directors, but if someone imitates something good and does it well, I don't complain. My favorite scene is where the punk rocker character Richie does a porno dance to The Who. The soundtrack is also pretty good, by the way. I gave the movie a 9 out of 10.