A Pefect Film from Start to Finish

Rating: 10/10 (12 March 2007)

After hearing the title "Black Snake Moan", most people are immediately turned off by the film. After bad marketing, I knew the movie looked very interesting, and after seeing it, I was ecstatic. Black Snake Moan is one of the best movies to hit theaters so far this year, and it's impressive mix of comedy and drama makes it a real gem. Black Snake Moan features Samuel L. Jackson, Christina Ricci, and Justin Timberlake, and is written and directed by Craig Brewer.
After finding her beaten on the side of the road, Lazarus (Jackson) takes in the extremely troubled Rae (Ricci), whose boyfriend, Ronnie (Timberlake) is away at war. Rae has a severe problem; she can't go very long without having sex with someone. After a troubled childhood, Rae has developed many problems of her own. Lazarus chains her to his radiator in the hope that he can, basically, rehabilitate her and "cure her of her wickedness." Ronnie returns from the war shaken and stirred, and he goes on a desperate search for Rae as she begins to take a daughterly liking toward Lazarus.
The plot is wild, twisted, and very original, and it never really feels boring or contrived. The love story between Ronnie and Rae feels very real, and the violence and sexual content is extreme, but used very well. Lazarus is a sad character, and by the end, he finally finds someone he can relate to.
As for the acting, Justin Timberlake proves he can act once again after his ground-breaking performance in Alpha Dog. Despite that most said he had a very miniscule role, Timberlake plays a central character that is prevalent through most of the movie. He plays Ronnie with saddening sincerity, and he brings a lot of depth and heart to the character. Christina Ricci, in possibly her most trying performance yet, never disappoints, and she really shines here. I loved every minute of the love story between Ricci and Timberlake. As for Samuel L. Jackson, he was likable for the first time as the pathetic but headstrong LazarusNormally, I'm not a very big Jackson fan, but he was at the top of his game here playing a soulful lonely blues man who has just emerged from a rocky relationship.
Another plus to the film is that it goes very deep in terms of meaning and symbolism. The title is symbolic in more ways than one, and many other factors have several levels of meaning. Black Snake Moan is a truly extreme film that holds nothing back and weaves a careful web of character development and an amazing plot. Black Snake is sure to be seen as a classic in the years to come.