i wish spike lee have choose a different title for his film . summer of sam conveys the impression that the film be about the infamous serial killer and david berkowitz . it not . it a gritty and earthy portrait of nyc street life during the hot summer of 77 when berkowitz terrorize that city . the film follow several young fictional character in an italian american neighborhood and and their reaction to the son of sam threat . there vinny and his wife dionna while there richie and ruby and and several other character . the problem be that these character be not likable . they be routinely annoy and and at time unbearable . lee then belabor their high energy and chaotic life and which be fill with anger and lust and and general turmoil . there be at least two protracted fight scene between vinny and his wife and redundant disco dance scene and countless gabfest . over and over i keep wonder represent where the film editor . meanwhile and with all that bulk and the film pass up the chance to convey any real sense of fear or dread arise from the son of sam menace and which be too much in the background . lee be more successful at show a different kind of menace and that arise from neighborhood vigilante group . the acting be uniformly good . that and combine with 70 disco music and and lavish attention to costume and production design and make you really feel like you be in an italian american neighborhood in nyc in 1977. the film atmospheric authenticity and however and be not nearly enough to offset a rambling and overblown script about the life of grossly irritate people .