Black Snake Moan (2006)

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 takes to a wild young woman who, as a victim of childhood sexual abuse, looks everywhere for love, never quite finding it.

Plot Keywords:

Abuse | Sexual Abuse | White Trash | Nymphomaniac | Anxiety

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:

Rumor has it the original ending involved Justin Timberlake's character shooting Samuel L. Jackson in the back of the head during the scene where Christina Ricci sings "This Little Light of Mine". Director Craig Brewer decided, however, that it would be better to make the film happy, and with a very positive ending.

Goofs:

Continuity: Despite Rae running around in the dirt for much of the film in bare feet, her feet stay remarkably clean.

Quotes:

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

Movie Connections:

Spoofed in Dance Flick (2009)

Soundtrack:

Chicken Heads

The heart of the delta blues

I watched this movie at the first showing available in my area, and it was quite clear that most people didn't get the movie. Even if you don't, it's a good movie with some interesting character development. It is a thoroughly human story about some very imperfect people in a backwoods southern town, and really speaks to the root of the blues. If you don't know what the "Black Snake Moan" is by the time you leave the theater, you didn't get it. And no.. it's not just a song. Christina Ricci does a great job and is thoroughly convincing in her role, as is Samuel L Jackson. I think this is his best performance since his role in Pulp Fiction, and probably his best including that because of the range of his character in BSM. The rest of the cast is solid, with a few shining performances here and there, particularly John Cothran Jr as Reverend R. L.. I'm a very selective movie watcher, and this film honestly rates among my favorites because of its candid look at race, sex, religion and neurosis in a rural southern town, along with its cinematic genius, in my opinion.