Moan indeed

Rating: 4/10 (7 June 2008)

Anyone who paid good money to see BLACK SNAKE MOAN in a theater must have wished they could find a coral snake and end it right then and there. A balding, bearded Sam Jackson plays a poor southern black who chains the town's nymphet (Christina Ricci) in his home in an attempt to keep her away from the bad boys, who have treated her roughly. Meanwhile, her beau (Justin Timberlake, of all people) is returning from the service, which leads to a showdown with Jackson. I thought Timberlake likes boys. Oops, tell me I didn't just say that out loud. I did. Anyhow, Jackson strums an old guitar and sings badly, Ricci strums his guitar and sings even worse, Timberlake flourishes a pistol and then breaks down and cries ... and, well you get the idea. Ricci spends some of the movie in panties and a ripped t-shirt, but she is anything but erotic. Jackson buys her a dress and takes her to a blues bar, where he performs while she dances sort of like Elaine on SEINFELD. She also spends most of the movie sporting a black eye and other assorted and distinctly unpleasant bruises. BSM is for those who like their movies in the mode of TOBACCO ROAD.