Heal Thy Snake

Rating: Null/10 (25 February 2009)

'Black Snake Moan' was certainly different from what I had expected. The poster/DVD cover give a different impression and so does the trailer. However, it turns out to be a different kind of movie and a pleasant surprise. It tells the moving tale of a bluesman/farmer and a young nymphomaniac. Brewer's writing is solid as he laces humour into a film that is otherwise brutal and graphic. The dialogues are funny and the characters are well written. Christina Ricci is fabulous. Rae's anguish is well depicted and she does draw sympathy from the viewer as she is very convincing as a victim of sexual abuse. Samuel Jackson is stupendous as Rae's potential saviour. Both characters are trying to battle with pain. Though Laz's method is less self-destructive, he sees an opportunity in Rae and that's where the story starts. Here too Jackson plays the angry man but, thankfully, with a gentler, more compassionate touch. Justine Timberfake's bad acting almost sticks out like a soar thumb but thankfully the two leads are strong enough to overtake that. Brewer's film is a touching tale about second chances and how compassion and kindness can heal a lot. As a last addition, I would say that the soundtrack is a must have for blues fan.