The Difference Between Exposition and Character

Rating: 7/10 (5 March 2007)

This is a movie about two people who have the blues. They've been hurt, betrayed, and left alone. Rae (Christina Ricci) and Laz (Samuel L. Jackson) live in the same small country town, but their lives haven't connected until now. They both have their demons, and they see what haunts them in each other. By helping each other they find peace in themselves.
The only part of this movie that keeps me from singing it's praises is the lack of exposition, especially with Rae. We know she was raped by one of her mother's boyfriends, but not how old she was, how long it went on, and if it was the only time she had been abused. Were her "attacks" part of a Post Traumatic Stress Disorder? If so what did having sex have to do with calming her? Needless to say, there are a lot of questions left unanswered. But Christina Ricci does a great job keeping her intensity through the piece. Even though we as an audience don't know everything that's going on with her, we can see the torment in her performance.
The same can be said for Samuel L. Jackson (Laz)dealing with his wife's adultery. The strength of these performances overshadow Justin Timberlake (Ronnie) who has to fight through his anxiety with Rae's help. He played a decent role, but was a little out of his league. I hope he continues to act and progress his craft, but he doesn't add anything to this movie (thankfully, he doesn't take anything away either).
If you want to see a story involving somewhat believable small southern culture and wonderful character development (plus some graphic sex) then you've got your movie here. If you want crazy violence, a complex plot, and loud explosions...you might wanna go somewhere else.