Black Snake Moan Reviews

• Love, Redemption, and Blues

  
  By A21VR7M8O55EF6 on 2007-03-05
  I was drawn to this movie because I enjoyed director Craig Brewer's earlier film, "Hustle and Flow". If anything, I liked "Black Snake Moan" even better. The movie combines tawdry and lurid components with a tale of love, forgiveness, and hope. I don't think the film is exploitative. Instead it suggests in a simple way how sensual and redemptive parts of life often complement each other.
  
  In thinking about this movie, I was reminded of George Eliot's novel, "Silas Marner", the bane of every high school student. In Eliot's novel, Marner, an embittered miser finds redemption when he raises Eppie, an orphaned girl, from childhood to young adulthood. Similarly, "Black Snake Moan" tells the story of a middle-aged black American man, Lazarus, portrayed by Samuel Jackson, who feels embittered when Rose, his wife of 12 years, leaves him for his best friend. Lazarus happens upon a young scantily dressed white woman, Rae, played by Christina Ricci, who has been beaten and left near-dead on a country road following a wild party. Lazarus takes her into his home and tries to teach and care for her. Ultimately, the movie suggests, both Lazarus and Rae receive a kind of hope, Rae by marrying her boyfriend, Lazarus by finding what may be a promising new relationship.
  
  The story gets life through a great deal of tawdry sex. At the turning point of the movie, Lazarus chains Rae to a radiator to prevent her escape. Rae was a victim of sexual abuse and a neglectful mother, and in her boyfriend's temporary absence for military service, she throws herself at every man she can find. She appears in the movie scantily clad, in a cut-off blouse with a Confederate flag and in shorts. Lazarus has his own frustrations to work out from the loss of Rose, his wife. A black preacher, the Reverend R.L., played by John Cotham, helps both Lazarus and Rae and is the quiet hero of this movie.
  
  In this movie, atmosphere and scene count for a great deal. The story is set in a small Tennessee town near Nashville, and the story is redolent with poor Southern life, both black and white. There is scenes in shacks and farms, and small town stores and streets, and in clubs and bars that bring the movie to life. Brewer shows the same love for and knowledge of the rural South that he showed in "Hustle and Flow". Most importantly there is music. The tale of sex and redemption is captured in the flow of the blues in a soundtrack and in performances by Lazarus himself. Jackson spent long hours learning the blues guitar in preparation for this movie. The movie includes two scenes of footage with the great Delta bluesman Son House holding forth appropriately on love, loss, and the blues. Music is a redemptive force in people's lives, and in this movie of the hot-blooded South, redemption comes through the blues.
  
  I found the tawdry elements of this movie an essential part of the story it had to tell. "Black Snake Moan" is rewarding.
  
  Robin Friedman
  
  

• "Snake" and a Chain

  
  By A3M2WW0PO34B94 on 2007-03-07
  So, let me get this straight. The Deep South. A young, white woman (Christina Ricci) who is also a nymphomaniac, ends up on the doorstep of an aging, black blues singer (Samuel L. Jackson) and he decides to chain her to his radiator. Have I returned to another era of filmmaking? When I first heard about this story, I did a double take. "Black Snake Moan" could be very bad; there are a lot of inherent problems with this story. Or it could be very good; the synopsis has so many weird, uncommon elements that it almost guarantees it will be something wonderful. I am happy to report the latter is true.
  
  I didn't love "Hustle and Flow", writer - director Craig Brewer's last film, but I liked it. I just wasn't won over by the story of a pimp who wants to become a rapper. If there's anything we learned from the film its "Don't you know it's hard out there for a pimp".
  
  So when I first heard about "Black Snake Moan", Brewer's follow-up, I was not excited. Then I started to really pay attention to the previews and the images. Okay, this is going to be one strange movie and sometimes strange movies are beautiful because they have a license to go places we don't expect. "Black Snake Moan" is all of these things; strange, beautiful and also contains great performances from Jackson (one of his best) and Ricci (certainly her best).
  
  The first thing "Black Snake" does is set up the two main characters, establishing their lives, before they meet. This may sound like a given, but Brewer spends a significant amount of time showing the despair each person has in their lives, for different reasons, giving us a chance to get to know each of them.
  
  Rae (Ricci) begs her boyfriend Ronnie, (Justin Timberlake) to not go to Basic Training. But he has to go, this is the only way they are ever going to escape the trailer park they live in and have a chance to escape their white trash roots. She runs after the truck in her daisy dukes and oversize flannel shirt and then drops to the ground, crying. As soon as he is gone, she gets the `itch', something she is only occasionally able to control. This time, she won't be able to control it. She calls up the local small time drug dealer, a black man, and they are soon going at it in a seedy motel room. Later, she attends a large party, wearing the same daisy dukes and a cut off t-shirt bearing the Confederate flag (really just a strip of cloth making a valiant effort to cover her breasts, frequently giving up the fight) and tries to hook up. With anyone and everyone. Unable to find someone, she takes some pills and before you can whistle Dixie, she is running around in her panties and a football guard playing a game of football with some friends. Before you know it, she is having sex on the lawn, amid hundreds of used plastic cups. Later, she ends up with a bloody nose on the dirt road outside of Lazarus' small farm.
  
  Lazarus (Jackson) has troubles of his own. A former Blues musician, he learns his wife has been cheating on him with his brother. She wants to leave, but his brother won't leave without his blessing. Lazarus shows great restraint in a confrontation between them. The local preacher, a childhood friend, tries to offer him guidance, but Lazarus won't have any of it. Returning home drunk, he throws all of his wife's possessions into a garbage bag before passing out. The next morning, he takes the garbage bags out to the trash and spots the young girl. He soon realizes she is hurt and tries to figure out what to do. If he calls for help, he will be immediately blamed and may end up in jail. He decides to take her in and help her. He visits the local pharmacist, Angela (S. Epatha Merkerson, TV's "Law and Order") and she gives him some cough medicine for `his niece's' cough.
  
  Fading in and out of consciousness, Lazarus helps her get rid of her cough and tries to help with the black eye and the cuts and bruises. In a moment of lucidity, she attacks Lazarus, trying to tame her `itch' and have sex with him, leading him to find out about her nymphomania. In order to control her, he chains her to the radiator.
  
  When she comes to, wearing her panties and t-shirt, she assumes something happened, but he assures her it didn't. Well, if he wants to, he can, as long as he lets her go. He won't have any of it. He has to help her.
  
  This only begins to scratch he surface of "Black Snake Moan". Because the film is basically about these two characters, and we spend a significant amount of time with them, we learn a lot about each. But it is a testament to each actor that these moments of knowledge come through their performances, one of Jackon's best and certainly Ricci's best to date.
  
  Christina Ricci deserves a lot of credit for the simple rawness of the performance. There aren't many actresses that would take on this type of role, let alone abandon themselves to the character. Rae is half nude throughout most of the film. Naturally, this character, a woman so loose with her sexuality, so promiscuous, would find nudity a natural thing. And the character does bare her breasts a few times. She also has sex with more than one person. But all of these images are presented in a very matter-of-fact way and illustrate the character's soullessness. When she meets Lazarus and he starts to care for her, this behavior stops, because he won't allow it. Gradually, as she realizes he cares for her, she starts to listen to him. She doesn't change completely, or quickly, making the character seem all the more natural.
  
  This performance is very raw and fitting for the character. Ricci seems to give everything she has to the role, making it a memorable, vibrant performance. When she starts to change, we have lived part of the journey with her and we feel as though we have changed with her.
  
  Samuel L. Jackson also seems to lose in the role of Lazarus. Every time we go to a movie, we may recognize the actors playing the role. Not surprisingly, the less famous an actor, the more easily they `become' the character they are playing because we are more likely to forget they are an actor playing a role. Samuel L. Jackson has made many films, many of those very popular, so he is very recognizable. An established actor always has more difficulty disappearing into the character. But Jackson seems to disappear into this character for large stretches of time, allowing me to forget I was watching the famous actor who has also appeared in "Pulp Fiction ", "Snakes on a Plane" and many others. The fact that he can fully immerse himself into the character at all speaks to his ability to make this character seem real.
  
  From the moment we first meet him, we experience some of the troubles Lazarus has with his community, with his wife, with his life. When he finds Ricci on the dirt road, he has to help her. But he has to be cautious. It wouldn't look good for an aging black man to be seen with a half naked white woman, let alone one who has been beaten up. So he looks both ways, to make sure no one is watching and takes her inside.
  
  The more involved he gets in her recovery, the more we realize he needed such a `project' to give meaning to his life. This also brings him into contact with the pharmacist, a woman who clearly has a little `itch' of her own for the aging Blues singer. Throughout the course of the story, Lazarus heals through his interactions with the young lady and may be able to get his life back on track after all.
  
  Justin Timberlake is also good as, Ricci's boyfriend. Going beyond stunt casting, he actually shows he has some acting chops as he makes the character's difficulties real and substantive.
  
  "Black Snake Moan" is a simply made film. The action centers at Lazarus' small farm in the middle of nowhere. Occasionally, he goes into town or other characters come out to the farm and interact with him, but I can't imagine this film cost a lot of money to make. Which makes sense because I am pretty sure if the budget for this film were too high, it never would have been made.
  
  I'm glad "Black Snake Moan" was made, because it contains two great performances, introducing us to characters we have never seen before, and likely are not to see often again. It is also a believable, well-made tale of redemption for two people who need to have some meaning in their lives.
  
  This strange film is, at times, quite a beautiful film.
  
  

• Bizarre and funny

  
  By A121LLBUHLZ0RD on 2007-02-13
  I didn't know what to expect going in to this one, and I don't really think I can prepare anyone else for the experience.
  
  The plot is strange. I won't try to summarize it beyond saying that a bluesman decides to cure a girl of her sex addiction. The trailer does a good job of telling you what it's about.
  
  I'm not a huge fan of Christina Ricci, but she is amazing in Black Snake Moan. She put a fire into her character that no other actress could have created. According to the Craig Brewer, the director, she actually insisted on using a real chain instead of the rubber prop.
  
  Samuel L. Jackson gives exactly the performance you'd expect, which is great but nothing special for him.
  
  Craig Brewer's direction is also great. Direction isn't something that I usually comment on, but there were a few standout scenes in this movie that had incredible energy that requires good direction in addition to acting.
  
  It's funny and strange and great; I definitely recommend it to anyone who's up for a unique film experience.
  
  

• Lazarus comes forth

  
  By A37PV5GMP2ILJC on 2007-09-03
  For a movie packed with graphic imagery, infused with heart-thumping blues music, and then generously splattered with raw emotion, the plot of Black Snake Moan is remarkably simple.
  
  Samuel L. Jackson plays Lazarus, a Tennessee farmer and former blues guitarist whose wife takes off with his brother for some good times. Naturally he doesn't take the news very well, but before he can even come to grips with his loss, he finds a badly beaten young girl (Christina Ricci, who seems to thrive on challenging roles) dumped on the roadway near his house. Strange as it may seem, being beaten and left for dead are just two of Rae's problems, as her boyfriend Ronnie (Justin Timberlake) has just left to join the National Guard, leaving her out of sync and all alone with her regular attacks of nymphomania.
  
  Lazarus knows that calling the sheriff could result in some unpleasant interrogation based purely on skin color, so being a religious man, he does the Good Samaritan thing and does his best to help Rae, both physically and mentally. The thing is, when Rae gets her attacks, she's inclined to go running wildly away from the house, and so Lazarus decides to restrain her with chains, which actually sounds a lot kinkier than it actually is. Obviously this is not an ideal situation, and it gets worse when Ronnie returns home unexpectedly.
  
  Extremely well acted by both leads, with more than acceptable Blues renditions by Jackson, and even the deer-in-the-headlights performance by Timberlake wasn't that bad, given the character he plays. Not recommended for below 17 yrs, due to violence, profanity, graphic scenes and the fact that Timberlake leaves the singing to Jackson.
  
  
  
  
  
  Amanda Richards, September 3, 2007
  
  
  

• Shuck & Jive from the maker of Hustle & Flow

  
  By A2Y9U0BLP7Q9UM on 2007-04-14
  One can't help but feel like a disappointed sideshow customer at the end of Black Snake Moan. Instead of two hours of demented sleaze as promised by the publicity (Christina Ricci chained to a radiator in her underwear!), it's yet another Magic Negro movie, in which a wise, asexual black man solves the white folks' problems. Despite the naughty language and the blues music on the soundtrack, Black Snake Moan is an incredibly undaring movie, the kind you go to see with your parents in order to get out of the house on Thanksgiving weekend (especially since elderly PBS viewers are the only people left who still listen to the blues).
  
  
• Chains of Love
  By A18G7GG53G2X8A on 2007-03-03
  When I saw the first theatrical trailer for "Black Snake Moan," my mind immediately reeled over what the story was about. The concept of a half naked young woman chained to a radiator can go in many different directions, not all of which would be beneficial to the story. Having actually seen the film, I now know that the filmmakers went in the right direction; this is a fascinating, darkly humorous, and surprisingly heartfelt film that creatively explores the relationships between certain people. Taking place in a rural Southern town, a wealth of complex issues hide behind a simplistic, stylized plot, a fact that only serves to strengthen its message. The story is not concerned with finding convenient solutions; the intention is to show how the characters learn to understand one another. If peace is made, great. If not, at least one knows where the other is coming from.
  
  I think the best thing about this movie is the main characters are neither good nor bad. They're portrayed realistically, deeply flawed yet not without redeeming qualities. We first meet Rae (Christina Ricci), an incredibly misguided young woman who periodically has bouts of nymphomania. She describes her condition near the end of the film; when she has a strange thought, it travels down her body as a burning sensation. Having been the victim of abuse as a child, her only method of relieving the pain is sexual contact. We periodically see her having an attack; she's bombarded with intense physical sensations, causing her to collapse and frantically touch every inch of her body. One gets the sense that she feels an unwelcome mixture of pain and pleasure.
  
  We then meet the God-fearing Lazarus (Samuel L. Jackson), a vegetable farmer who was once a blues musician. He's a broken man, having just split with his wife of twelve years (Adriane Lenox). We immediately understand how immature she is; she wants to leave him for his brother (Leonard L. Thomas) because he makes her feel young again. This leaves Lazarus feeling lost; not only did he provide for her as best he could, he also never raised a hand to her in anger (even when he was drinking). How could she be so unfeeling to someone who treated her well? He tries to find solace in alcohol, his Blues music, and the Good Book. But it's to no avail; even his friend, the Reverend R.L. (John Cothran, Jr.) isn't able to help.
  
  Then comes the fateful day when he crosses paths with Rae; he finds her lying in the middle of the road, barely dressed and beaten. She's also sick with pneumonia and under the influence of some heavy drugs, obtained the night before at a particularly wild party. For the next two days, Lazarus tries to care for Rae, who continuously slips in and out of consciousness (occasionally, she runs around the property, incoherently ranting and raving). While in town buying her some medicine, Lazarus learns of her promiscuous reputation, which prompts the release of his inner Dutiful Christian; God saw fit to send her to him, and because of that, he intends to cure her of her wickedness. He decides to tether her to his radiator with a long, sturdy chain.
  
  As you might expect, Rae isn't exactly thrilled when she finally comes to. She tries screaming for help. She tries running away. She tries enticing Lazarus with her body. But this is one household where potent sexuality will have no effect. Nor should it; Lazarus may be flawed, but he also understands that people should have more respect for themselves. This is something he's trying to instill in Rae, which would be admirable if only his method wasn't so unorthodox. Nonetheless, its obvious that he cares for her and that he's doing this to help, not hurt. Rae has always let men have their way with her; if she had a shred of dignity, she wouldn't allow herself to be used.
  
  As the film progresses, their relationship grows deeper, each one learning about the other's life. Lazarus eventually learns of Rae's boyfriend, Ronnie (Justin Timberlake), who leaves for the military early on in the film. It's quickly established that he's just as emotionally handicapped as Rae; he suffers crippling panic attacks when exposed to loud noises. It's also established that the two love each other deeply, despite Rae's sexual overdrive. By the end of the film, the audience will come to understand that the two were meant to be together, if not because they're dysfunctional, then because their dysfunctions complete each other. What an interesting relationship: when separated, their problems work against them, but when together, they function harmoniously.
  
  This is the kind of complexity that makes "Black Snake Moan" so engrossing. It helps that the film is perfectly cast, with each actor giving some of the most believable performances in recent memory. Jackson gives Lazarus a style that's both authoritative and compassionate. He's also makes him quite vulnerable, especially when he's around the kind-hearted Angela (S. Epatha Meckerson). Ricci does a wonderful job with Rae, perfectly balancing obvious sexuality with hidden insecurity. Timberlake shows terrific range as Ronnie, giving him a neurotic, strained edge that's matched only by his youthful naivety. All the characters add dimension to the story, something that effectively examines how the most unlikely people can leave lasting impressions. This is an original, finely crafted, well-acted film, and I definitely recommend it.
  
  
• HORRIBLE!
  By A1CDZNPO7U4E6N on 2007-03-12
  First of all, this is an opinion, and we all know what opinions are like. Secondly, with a do respect, I don't share the same conclusion, nor do I see what the other viewers saw, but what I saw was an absolute mess. This movie is not good. Don't get me wrong, I like Christina Ricci. I think most of her movies push the envelope, and she made me fan for life with her role in "Monster". The same goes for Sam Jackson. Sam is just Sam, what else can I say, but he always brings it. However, neither one of them could save this movie. Even Justin Timberlake's performance was much better than expected, but he couldn't save this either. I think this is a film where the writing just sucks with a capital S. Forgive me, but I wasn't impressed in the least by seeing a movie about a woman in the South sleeping with any and everything with a heartbeat. Is the the best they could do? For real, this movie isn't realistic at all. Not to mention, this movie gets so boring so fast that it'll make your head spin. By the end, I didn't care what happened I just wanted it to be over. Believe me, I really tried to give it a fair chance and make myself finish this movie, but I just didn't like it at all. Christina Ricci plays Rae, a woman with an extreme sexual addiction. It's not surprising at all that this behavior is a result of molestation. Anyway, Rae sleeps around with everyone in town, and everybody knows it. Sam Jackson plays Lazarus, a man who's wife has left him for his younger brother. One night, after Rae has had another one of her sexual encounters and is left in the middle of nowhere practically naked, her boyfriend's friend picks her up. After she comes on to him, he beats her down, and thinking that's he's killed her, he pushes her out of the front seat of his car and leaves her for dead. Lazarus finds her and nurses her back to health so to speak. It's during this time that he's realized that his purpose in life is to help this lost soul. Rae wakes up bound by huge chains around her waiste, so she can't leave and give in to her sexual desires any longer. This is Laz's way of ridding her of the inner demons that make her do these things. Anyway, that's about it, end of story. What was good about that? I still wanna know.
  
  
• A Unique Film
  By A1J409V5FZ44Z7 on 2007-05-16
  "Black Snake Moan" isn't a perfect movie. I am definitely not a fan of Justin Timerlake, as a singer or an actor. I find it weird that the makers of this film would really think Timberlake was the best person to play the part of Rae's boyfriend.
  
  For the most part, however, I find this movie enjoyable because it is differnt from what is normally available in the theatres. I only saw the director's last film, "Hustle & Flow," after I saw "Black Snake Moan." This guy definitely has a different way of looking at things, and I hope he does not let too many Talking Heads start making creative decisions for him as he crafts his films.
  
  For a movie with an unrealistic premise, I think that the conclusion of "Black Snake Moan" is very realistic. I feel that most people who view this will, at the very least, be entertained by a unique flick.
  
  
• Beyond the Titillation, a Beautiful Tale of Healing...
  By A31I3HXMD5H1EL on 2007-08-08
  Those buying "Black Snake Moan" simply to see Christina Ricci nude, or in bondage, will certainly find it...but this film isn't about sleaze, but healing, how anyone can change their lives with love, patience, and respect. This is the message you'll leave the film with...and it beats titillation!
  
  The story tells of three 'broken' souls; a bitter ex-blues singer/farmer (Samuel L. Jackson), coping with his wife running away with his brother; a young nymphomaniac (Ricci), her uncontrollable carnal urges the result of being raped, repeatedly, as a child; and a young soldier (Justin Timberlake), rendered nearly helpless by anxiety attacks. These three 'lost souls' are labeled and dismissed by the small southern community they live in, but through each other, they will find healing, and, ultimately, redemption.
  
  Yes, Ricci is chained by Jackson, but it isn't a sexual gesture, but a means to keep her from returning to the environment that had left her bloodied and unconscious, when he first found her. Yes, Jackson bathes and clothes her, but he is, fundamentally, a moral man, and he tells the minister of the local church exactly what he is doing, asking for guidance.
  
  So, potential viewer, if you want soft porn, look elsewhere...or better yet, BUY this; you may discover something far more worthwhile than you bargained for!
  
  Kudos to writer/director Craig Brewer, and his extraordinary cast!
  
  
• Don't let Ricci's nudity fool you
  By A1BEKAQQGP8CMF on 2007-04-05
  Samuel Jackson is the star here. While Christina Ricci's nudity certainly does not go unnoticed, Jackson is the one who lit up the screen. I had no idea what this was about going into the theatre, besides the fact Ricci was chained up by Jackson, and I was mildly entertained. I like music (guitars, to be specific), and without that aspect (and maybe Ricci's nudity as well) I probably would not have cared much for this movie. Jackson's guitar talents are better than Justin Timberlake's acting talents, that's for sure.
  
  
• Mind-bogglingly RIDICULOUS!
  By AT6CZDCP4TRGA on 2007-12-24
  Well, I love both of the lead actors, and quite enjoyed having the camera walk over Christina Ricci's luscious half-naked body throughout, and the sex scenes she did were pretty hot. But as a whole, this film just kept getting more and more ridiculous and implausible as it goes along.
  
  I'm a huge blues fan myself, always have been. But this film feels like an outrageous parody of the blues and the culture it comes from. About the first 1/3 of the film was somewhat palatable, then it just kept getting worse and worse, with some of the cheesiest dialogue and situations I've seen in a long time. All the more painful because there's zero irony anywhere to be found. The script and director seem to come from some kind of adolescent romanticism blended with hokey New Age therapy. Even Samuel L. Jackson's considerable talents as an actor can't save this one.
  
  The only reason I'm giving this 2 stars instead of 1 is Christina Ricci's hotness...
  
  
• Chained To The Radiator Blues
  By A39IBJB2PBVC7I on 2008-03-22
  Black Snake Moan isn't awful, but it didn't miss by much. Two fine performances, Ricci and Jackson, stop the bleeding. The blame for BSM belongs entirely to Craig Brewer who wrote and directed. Many of you will recall his earlier effort, Hustle & Flow, starring Terrence Howard as Djay, the pimp who couldn't slap straight. I don't know about you, but as far as I'm concerned, no matter how hard it is out there for a pimp, it's not hard enough. Hustle & Flow, despite a brilliant performance by Howard, was poorly conceived and very badly written.
  
  BSN is just as ludicrous, but Brewer has cleverly reversed some cliches. Rae, Ricci, is a sex addict, while Lazarus, Jackson, is morally upright, fighting demons. When he chains her to his radiator - a slight, sexually charged white woman imprisoned by a large, imposing black man - the overtones of America's colorful past are loud. Most notable of all about this film is Ms. Ricci's body. After growing chubbier and chubbier apparently she has taken the bull by the horns and gone to one of those top-secret Hollywood fat farms. She looks fantastic. So much so that she must have had a clause written into her contract specifying that at least 90% of her on screen minutes be spent showing at least 80% of her skin. I'm not complaining but - enough already - you got the job!
  
  For a film with a blues song as a title, and bonus features of Sun House, BSM gets low grades for music. With a show of hubris quite common today, Jackson actually sings and plays guitar, Ricci sings as well. This obnoxious arrogance calls to mind an obvious question - When was the last time you saw the Funkadelics perform Shakespeare in the park? From Walk The Line to Ray and so many others, actors feel qualified to sing, it's a mystery. Another puzzle is the highly charged name, Lazarus. While the biblical reference is obvious, surely Mr. Brewer knows the rule for naming blues musicians. After all, the song, Black Snake Moan, was recorded by Blind Lemon Jefferson in 1927. (Infirmity-Fruit-Name of President). A name like Gimpy Kumquat Taft would have served admirably.
  
  Justin Timberlake is less horrible than one would expect (whew!) while S. Epatha Merkerson is wonderful as always. The third act, the resolution, is appallingly facile. Ricci is an amazing actress, she has a lot of room to work, and she shines. Jackson is blessed with on screen gravitas; he holds your attention throughout. If you can ignore the poor direction and sheer stupidity of the story, you'll enjoy the picture.
  
  
• Good one...
  By A2CK2JAWK61XC4 on 2007-03-10
  Good movie. After reading many reviews on this film on other websites i was a little reluctant to go watch it. Everyone was saying it was cheap, and that 3/4 of the movie was Ricci naked. However, it was nothing like that...
  
  So story is about this young woman (Rae) who lives with her boyfriend (Timberlake) and is torn apart when he leaves for military training. After he leaves, Rae becomes very promiscuous, getting involved with every man she sees. One night she is beaten by her boyfriend's friend and she is rescued by a man named Lazarus (Jackson). He also has just been left by his wife, who cheated on him. They are suffering from the same loss and Lazarus ties Rae up and refuses to let her go. Along the way, hes helping her overcome her "sickness" of sleeping with everyone she sees.
  
  Good acting by Jackson, Ricci is pretty good. Timberlake still needs a lot of work but he manages to perform a mediocre role. If you read into the plot its pretty interesting. Two people suffering from the same loss. Each of their stories are told before they become reunited in an awkward way. Its great. Good plot, good directing, and good acting.
  
  The only thing i didnt like was the unrealistic fact that Ricci's white underwear kept being white after 3 days and rolling around in the mud...yeah ok i dont think so. Also, the movie started dragging too much at the end. It should have ended at an earlier point to make the story more interesting (as when they are singing together).
  
  An overall good movie. Recommended.
  
  
• Do Not Fear the Title
  By A3O6PJDBUBU9SL on 2007-06-29
  Sure, I went to the theater for the lurid scenario, but I was caught off guard by the strangely sweet story and the palpable passion of the characters.
  
  If you think that this is one of "those movies," you're only half right, and maybe less than half. This movie is a surprise. If you are apprehensive of the title, all I can say is "Get over it." You don't want to miss this film.
  
  
• Different and Refreshing
  By A2T7TZBOTP68C7 on 2007-07-03
  Black Snake Moan sure has a weird hook. Setting: Deep South. An older black man who plays the blues keeps a white nymphomaniac on a chain to cure her of her horniness. About half-way through, my husband turned to me and said "And why exactly did you think I would like this movie?" I winced and said I thought it would have blues as more of a central theme. But guess what, he stayed around and pronounced it a good movie after all! His summary is the best: "everyone has their struggles, and you are never really free of them."
  
  The performances are exceedingly strong, the setting of Tennessee bucolic and beautiful. You really feel as if you are in this small, rural town where everyone knows each other.
  
  Black Snake Moan is bold, and really gives you a sense of empathy for the different characters. Most importantly, it provides hope that if you have your own struggles, someone will be out there for you as well, not to judge you or cure you, but to love you.
  
  
• A Promotion for Black People to Return Back into Slavery
  By AIFD1Q3MV59OC on 2007-08-13
  I absolutely hated this racist film. White people believe the only good Black folks are the ones that do for them and neglect their own people.
  
  Black women need men (70 percent of Black women have no mates) and this racist filth does nothing but promote to unsuspecting impressionable Black men to do for White women, no matter how slutty, filthy, nasty, and pedophiles they are. Christina Rucci's character RAPES a 14 year old Black boy with no punishment--just like during slavery.
  
  Decent White people in the theater noticed it because I saw several walk out the theater in disgust.
  
  This movie is only for racist and ignorant Black folks. Why else did the director put the confederate flag on her filthy little t-shirt during half the movie? So, to make sure those enligtened ones are NOT missing the racist intent. What arrogance??????
  
  Pearl Jr.
  Black Media Review
  
  
• 'Snake' on a very differnt plane.
  By AXKLJRDTPJCA7 on 2007-03-04
  This movie is decidedly odd. And that is a compliment.
  
  Steeped in 70s grindhouse theatrics, pulp novel characters, deep south blues, and southern fried musings, "Black Snake Moan" is to cinema what its firey blues is to music: a rebellious and raucous over-the-top examination of relationship drama and personal demons.
  
  Emphasis on the raucous and over-the-top.
  
  Many will refer to this as the movie where Samuel L. Jackson chains a half-naked Christina Ricci to a radiator; and although any movie that includes such a scene is probably asking for it, it would be all too short-sighted of anyone to limit an explanation of this film to its more shocking elements.
  
  Writer/director Craig Brewer, of "Hustle and Flow" fame, is clearly going for 'memorable' with many of the films stuntier moments, but he clearly has more to say about self-control, free will, human kindness and redemption beneath the surface.
  
  Those who love bizarre and audacious films to begin with are sure to find plenty here to revel in, but if you are on the fence, as long as you are a movie goer who can handle something a little odd, a little twisted and a little out of the ordinary, I think you will find "Black Snake Moan" to be a heartfelt, truly original experience that manages to be a rare morality tale that avoids clichés, sentimentality and easy answers. It is highlighted by two terrific lead performances by Jackson and Ricci as full-blooded, fully realized characters, rather than the caricatures we get in standard, dumbed-down romantic comedy schlock that pander to cuteness over reality to audiences. A drop-dead awesome blues soundtrack surely helps.
  
  The film will clearly not be everyone's cup of tea, but if you can appreciate something a little out of the ordinary there is plenty here to savor.
  
  "Black Snake Moan" is the kind of film that reminds us just how exciting and unique movies can be when filmmakers are allowed to run with their unique, creative vision. They may not always speak to the masses, but they damn sure make for an exciting two hour journey.
  
  
  
• What's really in a title???
  By A1BWR1DPK5JJ2G on 2007-06-17
  I really liked this one despite not really knowing what to expect going in. Samuel L. Jackson and Christina Ricci really delve into their roles and make the crazy circumstances seem halfway real. Justin Timberlake ok, not great, but he didn't hurt the movie either with his limited role. I really like how the characters, music, and deep south landscape really meshed together to bring an enjoyable overall experience.
  
  
• Riveting performances from Jackson & Ricci
  By A1POFVVXUZR3IQ on 2007-06-30
  I honestly didn't know what to expect when I first viewed this movie - the trailer seemed lurid, and suggested a sexy, exploitative movie. Well, on the surface it does appear to be that, but it is so much more - Black Snake Moan is a southern tale embedded in blues music, and portrays a very real human drama of two tormented souls that heal each other, albeit in an uncoventional manner. Samuel L Jackson , in one of his best performances since Pulp Fiction , portrays a god-fearing man, Lazarus, who finds a half-naked young hussy, Rae [sexy, amazing Christina Ricci] on the road near his house and takes her in to nurse her...only he finds that Rae's wounds go way beneath the superficial, and it is her soul and spirit that need nurturing and healing. When Rae decides to bolt, Lazarus chains her to a radiator [!], and eventually a grudging acceptance develops, and in healing Rae, Lazarus finds his own redemption and salvation. Despite the torrid background [Ricci is half-naked in most scenes in the movie] & the foul-mouthed Lazarus, there is a poetic beauty to this movie...the pain of the main characters is altogether palpable, and one can't help empathise with their respective plights, and there is even humor, though of the darker variety...all in all, a very watchable human drama with sexy undertones that don't really seem exploitative to me, just a means of enhancing the story.
  
  
• The Best Film I've Seen in 2007
  By A34D06JL7LC6MU on 2007-07-03
  From the writer/director of "Hustle & Flow" comes "Black Snake Moan," the best film I've seen in 2007. It's a unique film that features two terrific performances by Samuel L. Jackson and Christina Ricci, both delivering their best performances in years. It also features another star-making performance by Justin Timberlake (who recently impressed me in "Alpha Dog"). The film stars Ricci as Rae, that girl that lives in every city in America and is usually referred to as "the town slut." After her boyfriend Ronnie (Timberlake) leaves her for a stint in the Army, she begins getting more and more destructive; eventually, she is almost raped, beaten, and tossed out in the road. Lazarus (Jackson) has recently been left by his wife for his brother and when he finds the young girl lying in the road he takes responsibility for curing the "sickness" she has.
  So, naturally, he chains her to his radiator. When she finally wakes up, she's shocked at first but eventually grows to love Lazarus...And soon, they realize that Lazarus is not just helping her but they're helping each other. This is a great film and, as a result, it's been hailed around the world as such...But it hasn't quite garnered commercial attention and this is sad. It may not sound like the kind of movie that will appeal to a massive audience, but it's a movie that I think people will find themselves enjoying. It's a fable about love, redemption, and sex...The story could've gone in many different directions, but writer/director Craig Brewer keeps it all together and takes what could've been a completely meaningless story and makes it almost life-affirming. Jackson is an actor who never fails to impress, but he's an actor who has made more bad movies than good ones. Here, I'm not going out on a limb by saying it could be his best performance (and maybe even his best film) since "Pulp Fiction." Ricci has always been an actress that's impressed me, but she hasn't done much worth noting over the past 5 years. That makes her comeback here all the more impressive. She combines all the right notes of vulnerability and sexual animosity to make this performance incredibly believable. As for Timberlake, he didn't impress me as much here as he did in "Alpha Dog" but he definitely leaves me asking where he got his acting chops? If he chokes a pretzel and ruins his vocal cords or something, acting could definitely be a fall back for him. Brewer is quickly joining the ranks of great writer/directors and his 2nd film is even stronger than his first.
  
  GRADE: A
  
  
  
• Chains of Redemption
  By A2B73CL3QSYWLB on 2007-07-06
  This had to be a marketing nightmare for the execs at Paramount. The image most people had that I spoke to at the time of it's release was that this was a film about a black man who chains a white girl to his radiator. Lurid bondage images ensue. I can imagine this tag would repel black audiences as well as white. Though I've been a fan of both Samuel L. Jackson and Christina Ricci for years my wife refused to see the movie with me when it was in theatres. Paramount doesn't help it's cause by reinforcing this image in it's cover art. This will probably turn out to be one of the best films of the year. Let's put things in context. Lazarus (Jackson) is experiencing a personal crisis because his wife recently left him for his brother. Rae (Ricci) is a young woman with deep psychological wounds whose G.I. boyfriend Ronnie (Justin Timberlake) is shipping off. Lazarus salves his sadness with booze. Rae also engages in self destructive behavior not the least wanton promiscuity. After a night of loose behavior with a bunch of rowdies Rae is picked up by Ronnie's best friend and subsequently beaten and left for dead on Lazarus' farm. Upon finding a semi-conscious Rae, Lazarus attempts to nurse her back to health. Lazarus, a god fearing man, subsequently finds out about Rae's reputation and in a drunken fever chains Rae to his radiator. It is Lazarus' feeble attempt to reform Rae. Not to give anything away Lazarus' eventually has an epiphany and realizes you cannot enforce morality but you can set an example. It is then that the true bond between Lazarus and Rae grows. There is a real love between the two and they have a redemptive influence on each other. In other words they heal each other's wounds. The film also emphasizes the healing influence of the polar opposites, religion and music, mainly the blues. You won't find a more beautiful scene than the one where Rae sings "Let it Shine" at the knee of Lazarus as he strums his guitar. "Black Snake Moan" is one of the more daring and provocative films in years. Though it's rough going at times there is a morality at it's center. Credit director Craig Brewer for tackling challenging material and making it work. Jackson, who I always admired for taking ambitious roles, may have given the performance of his career. This isn't hyperbole. You have to see it to believe it. Ricci is just as good here. Timberlake also gives a sympathetic turn here as the anxiety-ridden Ronnie. "Black Snake Moan" is a film that should not be forgotten.
  
  
• Harsh yet hopeful for all of us
  By A3AVJCB1ZD6ZY5 on 2007-10-01
  In the racist South, the last thing an African American man needs is to find a half-naked White woman out on the road behind his home.
  
  Yet, that is exactly what bluesman Lazarus (Samuel L. Jackson) finds when he discovers Rae (Christina Ricci). The bruises don't just cover her face, but they run deep as well. Rae's a childhood victim of sexual abuse, who sublimates her shame in nymphomania. Laz is recovering from the ache of discovering his wife, Rose, has cheated on him--with his own brother.
  
  After meeting, the two of them take on a journey of healing together that's harsh, but very real. There's a tenderness in Jackson putting a chain leash on Rae til she can gain some control over her own feelings--and come to realize what they mean. You want to cheer when Rae finally confronts her mother asking her--"Why did you let him do it? When did you know?"
  
  And Laz as well begins to learn to move on and heal his own wounds. The differences in the two characters only highlights the fact that we all can begin again.
  
  Jackson is one of those actors who totally loses me in his role. He can move from the assured FBI agent in "Snakes on a Plane" to an old, poor bluesman in the blink of an eye. His performance is so seamless you really don't see Jackson on the screen, but who he's portraying.
  
  And Christina Ricci's part was amazing. For the most part, she was semi-naked on film--yet her inner character was peeled back like the petals of a rose as she began to regain her dignity and cover her exterior. This is not a role most Hollywood glam actresses would even want to try because it didn't cast her in a great light, but I think in the end she truly did triumph with her acting ability.
  
  Very well done. I'm not sure I would want to do more than rent the film as I did. I would love to own the soundtrack, though!
  
  
  
  
• Creative Effort But Not Entirely Successful
  By A3BEF4IHWI0VC on 2007-03-17
  (Samuel L Jackson) plays Lazarus, remember the biblical character who rose from the dead, an extremely religious man who is broken hearted after his wife leaves him for his own brother. Rae (Christina Ricci) is the town slut, apparently afflicted with the "disease" of uncontrollable nymphomania. Rae, after a night of hard partying and sleeping around, is beaten up and left by the roadside near Lazarus' house. Lazarus takes her in and chains her to his radiator while trying to "cure" her insatiability. Eventually, the two become friends and help each other recover from their extremes of lust and piety to become more balanced individuals.
  
  To say the storyline of this movie is far fetched would be an understatement. But, then again, this film isn't trying to be realistic. Instead it's a odd combination of different elements - 70's exploitation flick, mythical parable and dark comedy - that tries to recouncile the needs of both the spirit and the flesh.
  
  The acting is excellent, it's depiction of the rural South is true to life and several scenes, such as Lazarus playing in a blues club, are well executed. But somehow the whole film just never came together for me. The plot meanders off in several directions without accomplishing much and the characters often seem more like symbols for the director's "message" than real human beings.
  
  Craig Brewer, who also made "Hustle And Flow", is clearly a talented filmaker. But, in this case, he seems to be trying to mix together too many different influences that don't quite work as a cohesive movie. I still give this movie credit for it's creativity and originality, certainly it's not your typical Hollywood product. But it simply comes up short in too many aspects to make it worthy of a high recommendation.
  
  
  
  
• The Bizarre and the Beautiful
  By A1TW9ZGRDQQZ2Y on 2007-07-01
  This is one heck of a movie experience that you won't soon forget. Samuel L. Jackson and Christina Ricci turn in amazing performaces, especially Ricci. She shows the kind of acting talent I never knew she had. Even Justin Timberlake isn't that bad here. The story is graphic and brutal at times, but it really progresses into something beautiful as it moves along. The blues music just adds to the mystique. Black Snake Moan deserved a better audience than the 11 million dollars it made in theaters. Here's to hoping Christina Ricci gets Oscar consideration.
  
  4.5 out of 5 stars
  
  
• Chained Heat!!
  By A313FHXGRZNB68 on 2007-03-05
  From the guys who made "Hustle and Flow," here we go again with a story about a troubled man in the deep south.
  
  Lazarus (Sam Jackson) is distraught over his wife leaving him for his younger brother. His faith in people and the Lord above is severely challenged over her infidelity. Living in a ramshackle house in the middle of nowhere, the former local blues singer wastes his hours away with booze and self-pity. It's not completely obvious what all this is doing to his mind, yet. But we'll learn soon.
  
  Rae (Christina Ricci) is a really cute sex addict who is distraught over her long-time boyfriend (Justin Timberlake) leaving for the army. She's left alone to face her public urges with almost every local boy in town. We're not privy to how she came to these nymphomaniacal ways, but we'll soon learn that too.
  
  One night, Rae is alone with a guy. She insults his manhood and he beats her and leaves her for dead on side of a dark road. The next morning, Laz finds her and takes her into his home to nurse her back to health. When he goes out to pick up some medicine for her constant fever dreams and nagging cold, a few questions to the town drug dealer gives Laz insight about Rae's sexual yearnings.
  
  This changes something inside Laz's head. We become more insightful about what's killing him inside. In response to his new, inner disgust about women with adulterous ways (thanks to his philandering wife) Lazarous ties a chain around Rae's waist to keep her from leaving his home. She's now his captive as he takes it upon himself to "cure" her of her lecherous vulgarities.
  
  Of course, she freaks out. But there's nothing she can do out there in the boondocks with no one to hear her scream. To her own dismay, he doesn't even want to have sex with her. After awhile, she starts to force herself on him to no avail as he reads scriptures to her, nurses her wounds, and just shows Rae some good old-fashioned friendship. It's so weird, it's difficult to describe. The two become close amid several unplanned ups and downs and there actually seems like they might find answers to their own troubles within each other. Until Rae's boyfriend gets kicked out of the army and returns home.
  
  I liked this movie, but it really seems ridiculous for about 45 minutes in. What the filmmakers seemed to be shooting for shock value came off as humorous. Lots of people in the audience, including myself, laughed at inappropriate times. I think that if we'd learned more or were shown more about these characters earlier on, we'd have more sympathy for them instead of laughing at them. I say this because after the first hour I felt like I understood what was going on more and didn't find it all so funny.
  
  Some people will rag on the idea of this old black man chaining up a hot crazy white girl in his house. True, there are big time elements of perversion and horror a la "Silence of the Lambs" potentional. But it never, ever goes there and I think a lot of people will miss that point. It could even be said that their friendship could be the classic result of captives identifying and sympathizing with their kidnappers - brainwashed, if you will. But that's not what happens.
  
  As usual, these stars shined. Even Timberlake was good, which I didn't expect. Every character was wildly interesting and the bluesy soundtrack was average. Christina Ricci's baby fat is all gone as she is now completely streamlined, toned and noticeably weighs a lot less thanks to a rigorous training routine and breast reduction. If it weren't for those HUGE eyes, I wouldn't have recognized her. Strangely enough, that's one reason why I like Sam Jackson so much. He manages to change his look from film to film and that's really cool. I recommend this movie to those without very high expectations. You're more apt to find it more surprisingly pleasant that way.
  
  
  
• Surprisingly Good
  By A21XVS00AIENLX on 2007-05-19
  Definitely quirky, sensual, resplendently religious and quite humorous. This makes for an interesting movie, to say the least, but very well done. The focus of the movie centers around the relationship between Christina Ricci and Samuel Jackson in some great dialogue. No cliche's here. They both deliver a great performance. Justin Timberlake didn't do too bad as the anxiety-ridden soldier boy.
  
  Nice to see Kim Richards back in game. It's been a long time since "Escape to Witch Mountain."
  
  
• A great movie about the blues, love & redemption....
  By A33C5WFMAKRYU9 on 2007-06-26
  First of all, it's obvious this isn't the type of movie that would be everybody's cup of tea. Let me tell you why it was mine though. Being someone who really loves old time blues music it was like a video track to all great blues tunes! It reaches to the heart of the music and tells a great story at the same time.... The title itself was taken from a song by 1920's bluesman Blind Lemon Jefferson.
  Take a nymphomaniac who has paired off with a weak-willed man and then through fate introduce her to a world wise ex bluesman with an obsessive religious streak and every character's issues are out on the table. The acting performances in this movie are compellingly believable and well done. From the first fifteen minutes of this movie forward you are drawn into the lives of these people and you can't help wondering how things will turn out for them.
  Most profound of all though this movie is a powerful and gripping story about love & redemption. While liking blues music may give you more of an appreciation for it, this is hardly a requirement to enjoy this film. It's the type of movie that when it's over you walk away feeling like the world is more hopeful and bright. The best advice I can give about this movie if you're thinking of buying or renting it is DON'T JUDGE A MOVIE BY IT'S COVER!
  
  
• "I aim to cure you of your wickedness"
  By A2UZLIH3BSGJ3N on 2007-07-04
  Read it an weep, and with that one line of absolution spoken by Sam Jackson, Black Snake Moan takes you on a journey of faith, salvation, redemption and forgiveness of the two main characters Lazarus and Rea, two people who have suffered and endured hard times throughout their lives. Lazarus is trying to come to terms with his wife of 12 years leaving him for his younger brother. Rea is a woman who has suffered unmentionable sexual abuse since her childhood and therefore acts out the part for others to prey upon her. One night after a night of hard, careless partying she is beaten and left for dead on the road near Lazarus's house. Not knowing what to do but help her, Lazarus takes it upon himself to bring Rea back to health, only to discover that she has far deeper scars and problems than the physical ones left on her face. He is then determined to make her well, and through his faith,and belief that "God saw fit to have us cross paths" he does so the only way he knows how. The two ultimately develop a friendship under unusual circumstances, and through music which Lazarus has sworn off for so long, the two heal one another while unknowingly shedding their demons. The cords struck by Sam Jackson playing "Black Snake Moan" will resonate through you and send chills down your spine, which also turns out to be the turning point between the two characters in the film. This was a fantastic film I thoroughly enjoyed with Sam Jackson and Christina Ricci. My only disappointment was that Justin Timberlake was cast in this film, but fortunately with his roughly 10 minutes of screen time I can tolerate it. The soundtrack is phenomenal, and if you are as big a blues fan as I am, both the soundtrack and DVD are well worth purchasing. Sam Jackson is one of those rare actors that his on screen presence demands your full attention.Truely a tallented actor, Jackson took it upon himself to learn how to play guitar for this very film.The music in this film tells as much about this story as the dialog does,almost as an additional character playing alongside everyone else.Ricci is another tallented actress with a bright future by taking roles that get her noticed while graduating out of the kiddie roles she is most remembered for.Black Snake Moan delivers superb acting both by Jackson and Ricci, a fantastic and originally written story with a soundtrack to carry it every step of the way. I highly recommend this film, seeing is believing.
  
  
• stupid and just plain unnecessary
  By A18758S1PUYIDT on 2007-07-17
  An incredibly stupid and unnecessary, as well as surprisingly dull, exploitation flick about a troubled white gal and the black blues guitarist who tries to save her from herself. Samuel L. Jackson and Christina Ricci wasted themselves in this. Were they hard up for money or what? Only worth watching for Justin Timberlake.
  
  
  
  
• Snakes, snakes, everywhere snakes
  By A1UWP3RLLGJVJX on 2007-08-12
  This is another Samuel L. Jackson movie with SNAKE in the title. However this movie is more story driven than most movies you will see today. The acting performances are solid & Jackson turns in another great effort. Christina Ricci as the female lead does a superb job. The supporting performances are quite good including one by boy bander Justin Timberlake as Ricci's boyfriend.
  
  

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