Watch Summer of Sam

Summer of Sam is a dramatic thriller film that takes place in the summer of 1977, during the infamous and terrifying Son of Sam killings in New York City. The movie is directed by Spike Lee and stars John Leguizamo, Adrien Brody, and Mira Sorvino. The story follows Vinny (Leguizamo) and Ritchie (Brody), two best friends trying to survive in the midst of the Son of Sam's reign of terror. Vinny is a hot-headed womanizer who is married to Dionna (Sorvino), while Ritchie is an eccentric aspiring punk rock musician. As the murders continue to increase, tensions rise in their neighborhood, and suspicion falls on everyone.

The film explores the psychological impact the killings had on the community, and how it affected the lives of those who lived in fear everyday. The tension between the characters is palpable, and the sense of dread only intensifies as the killers continue to elude the police.

The film is not solely focused on the killings themselves, but rather how they affected the everyday lives of the people living in New York City. The characters all have their own issues to deal with, including infidelity, drug addiction, and domestic violence, all while trying to survive during one of the most infamous times in the city's history.

Leguizamo's performance as Vinny is particularly noteworthy, as he perfectly embodies the inner turmoil and sense of desperation felt by many New Yorkers at the time. Brody also delivers a standout performance as Ritchie, who becomes increasingly unhinged as the killings continue.

Sorvino's character, Dionna, serves as a beacon of hope in the midst of chaos, as she remains steadfast and supportive of Vinny despite his flaws. Her performance is understated yet powerful, and provides the film with much-needed moments of levity.

Overall, Summer of Sam is a compelling and thought-provoking film that explores a dark time in New York City's history through the eyes of its inhabitants. It is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, and a reminder of the power of community in the face of adversity.

Summer of Sam is a 1999 thriller with a runtime of 2 hours and 22 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.7 and a MetaScore of 67.