Black Snake Moan Review [2]
Posted by Chad Webb on 03.06.2007
It takes us deep down South with the more blues, sex, and heat than you can imagine.
Samuel L. Jackson: Lazarus
Christina Ricci: Rae
Justin Timberlake: Ronnie
S. Epatha Merkerson: Angela
John Cothran Jr. Reverend R.L.
David Banner: Tehronne
Michael Raymond-James: Gill
Written/Directed By: Craig Brewer
Release Date: March 2, 2007
Running Time: 116 minutes
Rated R for strong sexual content, language, some violence and drug use.
I can envision a great deal of arguing occurring after groups are finished viewing this film. It epitomizes the type of movie that one will either like or hate with very few reactions falling in between those two. Black Snake Moan will probably be one of those guilty pleasure selections for people in the future. It is set, constructed, and advertised as a concoction of B-movie roots, blaxploitation, and sort of a Southern pulp tale rolled up into one bizarrely beguiling, funny, and yes, even compelling motion picture. What makes it so appealing is that it just may exceed your expectations.
Rae (Christina Ricci) has been used, abused, and reused all her life. She is a nymphomaniac who has actually found herself a savior (in a way) with Ronnie (Justin Timberlake). The problem is that Ronnie is leaving for the military, and even though Rae begs him to stay, he trucks along, and this devastates Rae to no end. No more than a couple hours after Ronnie is long gone; Rae goes lets loose by sleeping around, doing drugs, and partying late. When one of Ronnie “friends” becomes angry with her, he beats her up, and kicks her to the side of the road where she lands a few yards away from a house. That property belongs to Lazarus (Samuel L. Jackson), a man with plenty of troubles himself. He is a former blues guitarist, whose wife has left him, and he now relies on growing and selling vegetables in town. He discovers Rae unconscious, and attempts to nurse her back to health. He learns of her way of life, and declares it his mission to cure this young girl of her “wickedness.” He locks Rae to his house with a huge chain. Whether Rae likes it or not, she isn’t leaving until Lazarus sees fit.
The little girl we remember from Casper has definitely disappeared. Christina Ricci is the treat of this movie, and her performance is absolutely out of this world...in more ways than one. Ricci has been know for accepting diverse roles for films like Monster, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, and Sleepy Hollow, but this is her most courageous work to date, and perhaps her strongest. She has presented herself as a force to be reckoned with in Hollywood. As Rae, the sex crazed, drug induced maniac, who has eyes like a deer in headlights, Ricci proves that she is capable of just about anything. In the opening minutes of the film, she trots through town with a Confederate belly shirt and cut off shorts shouting profanities. At that point, the audience knows they are in store for something unusual.
In a career full of more hills and dips than a rollercoaster at Six Flags. Samuel L. Jackson has given two roles lately that could go down as some of his most unforgettable (besides the Tarantino stuff). First is Snakes on a Plane, which requires no explanation, but the other is this riveting, yet hysterical portrayal as a poor old balding Southern codger named Lazarus who stumbles onto a half naked woman lying in the road. This is not new territory for Jackson though. He has transformed into a Southern man a few times before, but sometimes the public needs a reminder that this man can act when the cards are laid out right. Lazarus has reached the end of his rope, or chain, and is sick and tired of the hand that life has dealt him. This was a supremely solid effort from Jackson.
The supporting parts are one of the weaknesses of the film. Justin Timberlake evokes his natural talent adequately, but his character of Ronnie feels handicapped and underdeveloped. This could have easily been on par with his magnificent contribution to Alpha Dog, but it didn’t quite get that far. Towards the conclusion he is given more opportunities to express his strengths, but there was ample room for more showing off. Other characters are difficult to connect to, but intriguing to watch nonetheless. John Coltrane Jr. as the Reverend, and the pharmacist who takes a liking to Lazarus had little space to maneuver and become three dimensional.
Hustle & Flow’s Craig Brewer writes and directs this zany flick. The most noticeable flaw is how Brewer juggles with transitioning from over exaggerations to the serious and profound. Regardless, his approach, combined with the scorching, colorful, and energetic atmosphere he stirs up creates an endlessly engrossing tale of two opposites who found a soothing comfort in each others company. One comparison that must be addressed from Brewer’s previous work is the delightful and involving music sequences. Jackson and Ricci are not American Idol caliber singers, but one can clearly see passion in their faces, and that is because of Craig Brewer. He knows how to dig deep for the heart, soul, and emotional core of his actors.
Certain camera shots capture lasting images, and overall Brewer films his picture with a skillfully playful style. The humor is fantastic. Some is intentional, while other splashes are unintentional, but I had a truly splendid time hearing Lazarus explain his “first time” to a young man who just had an encounter with Rae. Despite what some may initially perceive, Black Snake Moan touches upon some complex, yet meaningful issues like religion, race, child abuse, anxiety, and how we relate to one another.
The posters, trailers, and cardboard displays might not catch your fancy, but make no mistake, Black Snake Moan offers an intense look at society. At times it is preposterous, but it balances itself out with good old fashioned humor and gripping characters. For the amount of topics introduced, Brewer builds and paces the whole package rather proficiently. This is a self-assured, encouraging, challenging, aggressive, and earnest film that enjoys being simultaneously absurd and thoughtful. It’s also groovy, vigorous, sticky, bawdy, and arresting. Many more words could be attached to describe this lunatic minded film, but in simple terms, it was just tremendously entertaining.
The 411: Some movies come along, and someone will say they dislike it, and I’ll proceed to argue with them on why they are wrong. Black Snake Moan is not one of those movies. I can understand how some folks would leave the theater and think about how goofy and stupid it is, but I for one, loved it for all its weird qualities. I appreciate a storyline that veers away from clichés and predictability on purpose. I know most of you are at least curious about seeing this. If that’s true, do not dismiss that. Give it a chance, and you might be surprised at how much fun it is.
