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Black Snake Moan [2006]
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Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review
The lurid scenario--a nymphomaniacal white trash nymphet (Christina Ricci) is held prisoner by a bitter bluesman (Samuel L. Jackson)--gives way to an affecting tale of redemption in Black Snake Moan, writer/director Craig Brewer's follow-up to the acclaimed Hustle & Flow. Lazarus (Jackson, Jungle Fever, Pulp Fiction) finds Rae (Ricci, Monster, The Ice Storm) beaten unconscious on the road in front of his backwoods house. After bringing her inside, he learns of her wanton ways and decides to exorcise his own demons by curing Rae of her sexual compulsion. Black Snake Moan could have been terrible, but Brewer takes his story seriously enough to dig into the genuine emotions of such a situation (though along the way he certainly flirts with sexploitation overtones--several scenes look like they were plucked straight out of a hitherto unknown 1970s trash classic). Ricci, Jackson, and the supporting cast (including pop star Justin Timberlake, giving a surprisingly good performance as Rae's boyfriend) treat the characters with respect, honesty, and humour. The result is off-kilter and maybe a little too fond of its sleazy cinematic forbears to truly hit the emotional notes it's after, but Black Snake Moan has considerably more substance than its marketing would suggest. --Bret Fetzer
Creative restraint builds tension
Review date: 2008-04-06 Rating: 8 out of 10
A few people I discussed this film with thought it didn't go far enough, but that's precisely why I enjoyed it. Every character is developed to a point on their line of obsession where they could go further, and this means that you never know what they will do. Did Gill with his rage and ferocity kill Rae? Will Lazarus try to maintain his isolation of Rae at all costs? Will he kill? When Ronnie suppresses his aversion to violence, beats Gill and takes a gun, has he really crossed the line? Will he kill? When Lazarus drinks and unchains Rae, will he lose his self-control? All these questions keep the plot bubbling, and set within the racial history of the South of the US, the screw turns further still. Most modern films just go for extremes to create huge contrasts, specially formulated for a tick box world where everything is good or bad (as in nursery rhymes), red pill or blue pill, black or white; all the characters on Black Snake Moan on the other hand are flawed, making them as haunting as a good blues riff. A thoroughly enjoyable film; Samuel L. Jackson is utterly convincing - right down to his guitar playing and Ricci is a revelation (especially for me, having not seen her since the Addams Family and Caspar). Recommended highly - watch it with liquor for the blues.
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Reviews
An oddly affecting character piece
Review date: 2008-03-31 Rating: 8 out of 10
This could so easily have been awful. The marketing dwelt solely on the sleazy aspect of the film and images of Ricci in her pants but there is a good deal more going on. This is a rich and suprisingly rewarding character study. It is the story of wronged people on the edges of society searching for meaning and identity, even happiness. It is a simple, if strange, story and it does not follow the expected path. There's drama and humor of a tale set in the south, but the narrative doesn't ever feel like a cliche and the ending is oddly uplifting. It has an interesting perspective on the limitations of religion and the possibilities of humanity. Jackson and Ricci are excellent and the supporting cast are uniformally good. Recommended.
Okay film, great soundtrack
Review date: 2008-03-03 Rating: 6 out of 10
Samuel L Jackson's performance is great, there are some entertaining scenes but on the whole I thought it was an average film. Nothing really grapped my attention or drew me into the story.
The soundtrack however, is fantastic, I love it.
Watch out for Justin Timberlake's role in the film also.
It's a one-time see film, beware.
exorcises demons using the Blues
Review date: 2008-02-07 Rating: 8 out of 10
Samuel L Jackson chains harlot Christina Ricci to his radiator and exorcises her demons using the Blues. Excellent.
Great music and Sam L
Review date: 2007-12-14 Rating: 8 out of 10
Ok so this may be predictable but that realy is being hyper critical. Solid acting, Sam L cool as ever and an all round good film, I urge you not to take note of any review knocking the film. Crack open a bottle of of wine, put your feet up and just enjoy what you see and hear.
Product Details/Specifications
Actor(s):
Justin Timberlake
Stephanie Allain
Christina Ricci
Samuel L. Jackson
John Cothran
Creators:
Samuel L. Jackson (Primary Contributor)
Christina Ricci (Primary Contributor)
Director(s):
Recording label: Paramount Home Entertainment (UK)
Manufacturer: Paramount Home Entertainment (UK)
EAN: 5014437930538
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: PAL,
Release date: 2007-09-17
Audience rating: To Be Announced
Region code: 2
Running time: 116 minutes
Theatrical release date: 2006
Language: English (Original Language)