Black Snake Moan (2006)

User Rating:

7.2/10   

Director:

Craig Brewer

Writer (WGA):

Craig Brewer (written by)

Release Date:

2 March 2007 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Music

Tagline:

Everything is hotter down south.

Plot:

A God-fearing bluesman (Jackson) takes to a wild young woman (Ricci) who, as a victim of childhood sexual abuse, looks everywhere for love, never quite finding it.

Plot Keywords:

Psychological Drama | Underwear | Flashback Sequence | Public Nudity | Marriage

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Samuel L. Jackson	...	Lazarus
Christina Ricci	...	Rae
Justin Timberlake	...	Ronnie
S. Epatha Merkerson	...	Angela
John Cothran Jr.	...	Reverend R. L. (as John Cothran)
David Banner	...	Tehronne
Michael Raymond-James	...	Gill
Adriane Lenox	...	Rose Woods
Kim Richards	...	Sandy
Neimus K. Williams	...	Lincoln
Leonard L. Thomas	...	Deke Woods
Ruby Wilson	...	Mayella
Claude Phillips	...	Bojo
Amy Lavere	...	Jesse
Clare Grant	...	Kell

MPAA:

Rated R for strong sexual content, language, some violence and drug use.

Runtime:

116 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White (archive footage) | Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital | DTS

Certification:

USA:R | UK:15 | Singapore:M18 | Ireland:16 | Netherlands:16 | USA:R (certificate #42163) | New Zealand:R16 | Germany:16 | Finland:K-15 | Sweden:11 | South Korea:18 | Argentina:16 | Japan:PG-12 | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Canada:14A | Australia:MA | Portugal:M/16 | Ireland:18 (DVD rating) | Brazil:18

Filming Locations:

Memphis, Tennessee, USA

Company:

Paramount Classics

Trivia:

The electric guitar that Lazarus plays is a Gibson ES-335.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Lazarus is entering the pharmacy he pulls a shirt over an obviously dirty tank underwear shirt with yellow staining at the front neckline. When he talks to the pharmacist moments later he's wearing the shirt, but his still-showing underwear shirt is pristine white.

Quotes:

Gill: I thought you had some shorts on earlier.
Rae: I got others.

Movie Connections:

Spoofed in "Saturday Night Live: Rainn Wilson/Arcade Fire (#32.14)" (2007)

Soundtrack:

A Town With No Shame

Everything is indeed hotter down South

I'll be honest with you; this is not the type of movie that I'm usually drawn to. All you have to do is watch the trailer and read the plot summary to figure out where you stand. But just to continue this honest streak, I have to admit that Jackson and Ricci are so good in their roles, that they were able to pull me into the story and keep a grip on my interest.

Combining a sweltering Southern setting, blood and guts blues riffs, and a little unexpected Bible imagery, Brewer has definitely given this film a style of its own and an atmosphere that's as effective as the actors in telling this strange little tale of love and redemption.

Though its aspirations run higher, there's no denying that the film has its moments of exploitation. Ricci's half-nakedness for 75% of the film is testament to that. Those of you with more delicate palates might experience a little discomfort watching this, and understandably so. It's raw. It's ugly. It's dirty. Even Brewer agrees that this isn't exactly for everybody.

And that's what makes this such an odd movie to pin down. On one hand, I don't think I'd ever have a need to see it again. But on the other, I'm kind of curious how my opinion might be affected via a second viewing. Did I really like it? Or did I merely appreciate the effort and success in Brewer's ability to tell his unusual story in his own unconventional way? It's definitely a film that inspires discussion ... and a wide variety of adjectives. Strange. Over-the-top. Interesting. Unique. Uncomfortable. Take your pick. All these things combine to make it the theatrical experience that it unashamedly is.

It feels like a gritty, twisted blues song come alive on screen. It's a character study, and if you have any hope of enjoying it then you must accept the fact that the film doesn't shy away from showcasing the underbelly of a very disturbed young woman and the path she's traveling.

No, it's not for everybody. But love it or hate it, I feel safe in saying you likely won't see anything else like it this year. Proceed at your own caution. Just remember, everything is indeed hotter down South.

THE GIST

Black Snake Moan is the type of film that makes you stop and examine your audience before deciding who to recommend it to. It features very solid acting, a great atmosphere, and a strangely different story. But it also gets a bit sick and twisted at times and has no problems doing so. Take my words to heart and then go with your instinct on this one.