As David Berkowitz targets
brunettes throughout the New York boroughs in the sweltering summer of ’77, a
Bronx neighborhood is whipped into a frenzy and mob rule begins to reign while a hairdresser (John Leguizamo) believing he was marginally spared from the
killings begins experiencing guilt over his own infidelities while a friend
(Adrian Brody) who has recently adopted a punk lifestyle becomes a target. With Summer of Sam Spike Lee tries to accomplish way too much,
all the while saying and exploring very little in an overlong hodgepodge. The film works
best when played in minor key, as a slice of life picture, the kind of area
where Lee excels Best. Leguizamo is a standout in a large cast.
** 1/2 out of ****
