Black Snake Moan (2006)

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.

Director:

Craig Brewer

Writer:

Craig Brewer

Stars:

Christina Ricci, Samuel L. Jackson, Justin Timberlake

1 win & 7 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Samuel L. Jackson	...	Lazarus
Christina Ricci	...	Rae
Justin Timberlake	...	Ronnie
S. Epatha Merkerson	...	Angela
John Cothran	...	Reverend R.L.
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

Storyline

In rural Tennessee, Lazarus, a former blues musician who survives by truck farming, finds a young girl nearly beaten to death near his home. She's the white-trash town tramp, molded by a life of sexual abuse at the hands of her father and verbal abuse from her mother, who seems to delight in reminding Rae of her mistake in not aborting her. Lazarus, who is also facing personal crisis at the dissolution of his marriage, nurses Rae back to health, providing her with gentle, fatherly advice as well as an education in blues music. Rae's boyfriend, Ronnie, goaded by the man who nearly beat Rae to death, misunderstands the relationship between Lazarus and Rae, and vows to kill him. Lazarus, exhibiting a street-smart understanding of violence and its motives, calls Ronnie's bluff, senses that he is as troubled as Rae, and becomes a guiding force in the young couple's resurrection.

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Plot Keywords:

nymphomaniac | sexual abuse | anxiety | musician | blues music | 

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Taglines:

To save his soul he must save hers.

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Genres:

Drama | Music

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

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

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

2 March 2007 (USA)

Also Known As:

Black Snake Moan

Filming Locations:

Tennessee, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$15,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$4,143,199, 4 March 2007

Gross USA:

$9,396,870, 11 June 2012

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$10,903,846, 11 June 2012

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Classics, New Deal Productions, Southern Cross the Dog Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

116 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital DTS

Color:

Black and White (archive footage) Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Segments of this movie were filmed in Justin Timberlake's hometown of Memphis, Tennessee.

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Goofs

Ronnie's American Flag patch on the right sleeve of his BDU shirt before he leaves appears to be backwards. However, this is in accordance with Army regulations that call for the flag to appear as if the wearer was advancing toward the battle; if the flag was reversed, it would appear that the colors were retreating. The unusual layout is due to the requirement to wear the flag on the right sleeve - the position of honor on the US Army uniform.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Son House: Ain't but one kind of blues. And that consisted between male and female that's in love. In love, just like I sung one of them songs a while ago and I put a verse in there saying that love hide all fault and make you do things you don't wanna do. Love sometimes will leave you feeling sad and blue. I'm talking about the blues! I ain't talking about monkey junk. And it consisted between male and female. And that means two people, supposed to be in love, when one or the other deceives ...

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Connections

Referenced in Geeks Who Drink: John DiMaggio vs. David Giuntoli (2015)

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Soundtracks

Catfish Blues
Written by Robert Petway
Performed by Samuel L. Jackson

User Reviews

Craig Brewer convinces us that he is for real and Samuel L. makes sweet music

Just saw this fantastic film at the Sundance premier and cannot sing its praises enough. Last time I saw Craig Brewer he was singing Ike and Tina to the audience and turning Sundance upside down with his breakout film Hustle and Flow. This time around he fulfills on his big Sundance payday with another unique vision thats going to get everyone talking about Samuel L Jackson, and if you thought Christina Ricci was just that girl in the Addams Family movies then think again. Ricci plays Rae a complete mess of a women who without her beloved Ronnie, played by the getting better all the time Justin Timberlake, has an uncontrollable need for all things sexual. When Ronnie leaves for the a tour with the Army, Rae's demons send her tumbling down a bumpy road that leaves her used and abused left for dead on the side of the road. Along comes old blues-man Lazarus played by the great Samuel L Jackon, Lazarus himself has a few demons lurking around in his head as well, notably his ex-wife who done wrong by him. Lazarus gets to think about this young women and after some soul searching he takes it upon himself to cure her evil ways with some love, some lessons and a 40 lb. chain. I don't want to reveal too much so I'll just say there's some dark moments, some very funny moments and whole lot of great acting. This movie isn't by any means Hustle & Flow 2, however Craig Brewer does tie the two films together with his hope for redemption and change for the better for even the most unlikely of people. Audiences will find a movie worth watching here and worth thinking about well after it ends.