Buy the DVD:

Black Snake Moan

Weird. In one word, that is what Black Snake Moan is. But by no means should that be perceived as a bad thing. Craig Brewer’s newest film is weird in the true sense of the word.

The story focuses on religious blues singer Lazarus (Samuel L. Jackson), who walks out his door one morning to find Rae (Christina Ricci), a nymphomaniac in her twenties, passed out in front of his property. After finding out the injured girl has been around the southern town way too many times, Lazarus decides to help the girl by chaining her to his radiator.

What could be a sleazy B film turns into a touching film about finding redemption. Brewer gives you, in 115 minutes, all the information you need to sympathize, empathize and completely involve yourself with the characters on the screen.

Of course, the acting also helps in that aspect. From the accent to the walk, Christina Ricci is a dead-on portrayal of a southern girl going nowhere in life. Samuel L. Jackson gives the impression he was probably just another troubled blues singer down south before he went off to Hollywood to fight off snake-filled planes and kill some bad you-know-whats with John Travolta. And who knew Justin Timberlake had more than dance moves in his resume? As the anxious boyfriend who cannot join in the army or keep his girlfriend from cheating on him, JT is a pleasant surprise.

The main responsibility for the film’s quality, however, can be taken by its director. If in Hustle and Flow, Brewer made it all about hip hop, this time, it is all about the blues, which, according to the film, can not only mend a broken heart or make you feel on top of the world, but also cure nymphomania. The tunes, the atmosphere…it all adds up into one weirdly unique, strangely amazing piece of must-see cinema.

Written by: Natalia Galbetti

Reviewers Rating: 9
Reader's Rating: 0
Reader's Votes: 0

Rate It