When I saw Snakes on a Plane back in August, I saw a preview for Black Snake Moan. My perception of the movie probably turned out the same as yours: Samuel L. Jackson chains up a crazy white woman, hilarity ensues, hardy har har. I thought it would be a sick sort of sequel, like "Snakes on a Farm" of sorts. Luckily, I was wrong.
Black Snake Moan stars Jackson as Lazarus, a retired bluesman whose wife has just left him. Taking out the trash one morning, he stumbles upon Rae, played by Christina Ricci, who has been left on the side of road wearing next to nothing. He takes her in and, after seeing and hearing about her dangerous nymphomania-induced rages, decides to look after her and cure her "wicked ways" through tough love and Biblical scripture. Pop superstar and OK-actor Justin Timberlake plays Rae's boyfriend Ronnie. Craig Brewer, who created a name for himself with 2005's much-talked-about Hustle and Flow, directs the film.
First of all, I have to get my rant out of the way. Whoever was in control of the marketing for this film should be beaten severely. Everyone I have talked to has perceived Black Snake Moan as a comedy. Honestly, who wouldn't? Jackson chains up a white woman who's half naked. Maybe I'm sick in the head, but that seems somewhat funny, partly because of the presence of Jackson and Timberlake. Though it has humorous moments, Black Snake Moan is not a comedy. It is a seriously good piece of film.
The acting in this film is superb. Jackson gives his best performance since Pulp Fiction. His portrayal of Lazarus is both convincing and memorable. For this movie, Jackson also learned how to play blues guitar. Don't mistake the scenes in which his character plays guitar for overdubs. He, in fact, is playing guitar and singing.
Ricci also gives an excellent performance as Rae, a strung-out country girl who is taken in by Lazarus after an all night binge of sex, drugs and alcohol. Ricci's portrayal of Rae defines white trash, but at the same time the viewer sympathizes with her. It's this balance that makes Ricci's performance outstanding.
The trailers for the movie stress the question, "Why does she have that chain around her?" The answer is pretty simple. Lazarus chains Rae so that when she experiences her nymphomania fits she does not take off running to copulate with the first man she sees. Lazarus refuses Rae's numerous offers for intercourse on the basis that God has put her in his path to be cured of her wickedness. This creates a unique bond between the characters. Rae needs Lazarus to help her with her disease; Lazarus needs Rae so he can cope with his inner demons. The chain also represents comfort for Rae, for whenever she starts to have one of her fits or gets scared, she holds the chain close to her. This relationship between her and Lazarus is the backbone of the best scene in the movie, when Rae asks Lazarus to play guitar for her. A thunderstorm rages as Lazarus chugs through a hauntingly heartfelt version of the blues song from which the movie gets its title, "Black Snake Moan." Excellent scene.
In short, if you like good acting, the blues or seeing Christina Ricci in her underwear, Black Snake Moan is definitely worth your theater ticket.
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