Samuel Jackson and Christina Ricci are both outstanding in this strong and poignant tale of sin and redemption

Rating: 8/10 (4 March 2007)

Reclusive and angry former blues singer turned farmer Lazarus (superbly played by the always excellent Samuel L. Jackson) is in a hurting way after his wife Rose leaves him after twelve years of unhappy marriage. Brassy and tormented trampy white trash nymphomaniac Rae (a remarkably raw and startling performance by Christina Ricci) sure ain't feeling too good, either. Lazrus finds Rae's battered body on the side of the road. After nursing her back to health, Lazarus chains Rae to his radiator in order to help the troubled lass overcome her demons. Writer/director Craig Brewer uses the potentially lurid and tasteless premise to spin a surprisingly potent and poignant tale of sin, redemption and the intrinsic fallibility of human nature. Rae and Lazarus are two lost and broken souls who help each other heal and become whole again. Jackson and Ricci are terrific in the leads, with equally strong support from Justin Timberlake as Rae's loyal, long-suffering boyfriend Ronnie, S. Epatha Merkerson as Lazarus' helpful lady friend Angela, John Cothran Jr. as the compassionate Reverend R.L., and onetime 70's child actress Kim Richards as Rae's bitter estranged mother Sandy. The vividly brooding and flavorsome Southern Gothic atmosphere, Amy Vincent's polished cinematography, Scott Bomar's moody score and the first-rate soulful blues soundtrack are all likewise on the money as well. As an added treat, Jackson growls out a few fantastic get-down gritty blues numbers and Ricci even sings a touchingly sweet rendition of the gospel tune "This Little Light of Mine." Offbeat, inspired and original, "Black Snake Moan" overall qualifies as an extremely moving, compelling and provocative winner.