Review of Black Snake Moan (2006) by Paul R — 09 Dec 2011

Craig Brewer's blue's filled drama Black Snake Moan was badly marketed and received mixed reviews on its release but if you give it your time with an open mind you'll find it is a tight, well crafted little story fundamentally about people helping people.

It has some great ideas that are very well explored. Christina Ricci is Rae, a woman off the rails with an uncontrollable sex addiction. The only thing that keeps her on track is her partner and friend Ronnie played (averagely) by Justin Timberlake.

When Ronnie leaves for military service she struggles to keep on track and have a normal life, her addiction and problems spiral and she gets into terrible trouble that eventually leaves her battered, bruised and left for dead on the roadside.

Here we are introduced to Samuel L. Jackson's character Lazarus, a blues playing religious man who is wrestling with his own set of demons. When he comes across Rae he decides to nurse her back to health and to ultimately cure her of her serious problems.

Rae soon discovers his methods of helping are rather crude and she finds herself chained to his radiator. If you are hoping for horror or seedy sexual exploits then you are watching the wrong film, it is competent story of love, loss, lessons and friendship.

As our two characters begin to understand each other in these unlikeliest of situations we begin to see Brewer's intentions. With a hugely complimentary soundtrack this film certainly surprises and if you don't take it too seriously and role with the characters interactions it all comes together as a rather heartfelt, emotionally charged tale of redemption.