Black Snake Moan
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Movie Reviews of Black Snake Moan
Movie Review: Oh, Stop Your Moaning
Summary: 5 Stars
Okay, so I'm a good lil' boy who grew up in church. Okay, so this movie had all the signs of something quite...uh...un-churchlike. Here's the funny thing: Samuel L. Jackson and Christina Ricci take part in a fantastic redemption tale.
"Black Snake Moan" starts its story with two hurting people who deal with their pain in very different ways. Rae, played by Ricci, is left alone when her boyfriend heads off to war, and finds herself giving way to her fleshly desires. There's not much hidden here, the rating is well-deserved, and yet there's little that's gratuitous. This is a woman looking for unconditional love in all the wrong places. Lazarus, played by Jackson, also wants the real deal of love, but he's been burned by his cheating wife and brother. He's withdrawn from everything.
Two people. Two lives, caught in the black snake's coils. And somehow, through a set of circumstances that are at once over-the-top and wholly believable, Rae and Laz forge a chaste relationship that leads them both through the storm of evil to the light on the other side. Both see glimpses of hope, but neither is guaranteed of grasping it. They must act in faith and move forward.
While jerking the chains of all who want to criticize, "Black Snake Moan" actually hides a beautiful tale of love and forgiveness. Even while performing his own tough love and intervention with Rae, Laz admits to his own weakness and deals with it. Both do a wonderful job of acting, with the music and the direction providing superb counterpoint to their emotional and spiritual journey. Timberlake is okay in his role, and the other supporting players do credible jobs.
This here is not only a well-told story, it's also much closer to the Jesus I know from the Bible than the one we often see camouflaged in overly pious renditions. When this black snake moans, it's good to know that Rae and Lazarus still want to keep that little light shining.
Movie Review: This film depicts PTSD beautifully...
Summary: 5 Stars
I agree with many of the reviews that gave this film five stars, although the ones I read described Ricci's character as she was described in the film's liner notes, as "a sex addict." While this may be true based on her behavior when we meet her, what is clearly underlying this behavior is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD.) The "spells" she has are flashbacks and her compulsive behavior to re-enact the abuse (through violent and excessive sexual encounters with others) she endured as a child are clear signs of this. I bring this up not to sound all psychologist-y and to excuse her behaviors, but to bring light to the fact that most sexually abused girls/women will experience what Ricci's character went through and will be labeled a "sex-addict" and worse when really they are suffering inside and need someone to nurture and support them. A turning point for Ricci's character was when she wrapped the chain tightly against her so she could sleep. This is revisited at the end when she holds onto the waist chain while pulled over in traffic. It was a beautiful and realistic representation of what we grasp at when we've been traumatized and have found a source of comfort to get us through the inner torment.
Some people have complained about how the film was shot, seeming too sexy-trashy at times and to that I would say this was done tastefully through what seems to be a film technique. It is clear the director was allowing us to see Ricci's character how others in the film saw her and allowed us the opportunity in the end to revise our perception of her once we got to know her and watch her transform.
There is more to this movie than meets the eye. I love, love, love it.
Movie Review: Great Movie....Bad Title
Summary: 5 Stars
I received this movie yesterday and watched it last night. First, let me start by saying, in my opinion, the title does not do justice to this movie. This movie is much, much better than the title implies. What can you say about Samuel L. Jackson, except he is brilliant and it shows in this movie. Not only did he do his own singing, as a guitar player myself, I am reasonably sure he did his own playing. He has already established himself as a very competent actor and this just put the icing on the cake. As for Christina Ricci, I have seen her in a few films and thought she did well, although Buffalo '66 was not a good choice for her. She was the best thing about that movie. Yeah, you get to see alot of Christina and she has come a long way from the Addams family movies. This is by far the best role I've seen her in and she took it to the max. I look forward to seeing her in more good roles in the future. If anyone has any doubt as to Justin Timberlake's transition from singer to acting, you can put those doubts aside. He showed that he was quite capable of handling a role. If he picks his roles carefully, I see a great future in acting for him. The Director was also the writer and what a story he told. There are some that would probably be put off by the racial aspects of the movie and that was part of the underlying story. This film deserved a better reception at the box office than what it apprantly received. It only played here for maybe two weeks. Again, I think the title probably hurt the film and the fact there was very little promo if any. This movie is well worth buying. Charlie S. Richmond Va.Movie Review: That radiator was just as important as that chain.
Summary: 5 Stars
Black Snake Moan is really good American story telling that is usually accomplished by British productions. Memphis guy, Craig Brewer nailed it with his writing, direction and production staff. Ricci and Jackson are fearless and brilliant. The performances play like a chamber piece. I trust their instincts to invite me to explore some very dark, painful places of the human condition (except snakes on planes). I don't fancy movies about women being trapped by men anywhere, but Brewer and company turn that concept on its head with sex, the blues, drama, a lot of irony and even just simple humor. Who knew Justin Timberlake could act? This movie deserves a lot of recognition from movie lovers. It says a lot about the nature of fear, compassion and how a little inspiration (biblical or otherwise) can connect you to other people - or chaining them up. (The radiator does not get as much credit, but it was just as important to the script as that chain.) I love this movie because it is really crazy like a fox. Also, we get to see Jackson do something that he has never been allowed to be in other films. (Not spoiling this for people yet to watch.) Hustle and Flow, from the same creators, was OK in comparsion. This work is in a better league.
Take the time for the director's commentary. Brewer poured a lot of love into Black Snake Moan. Going through the movie with his stories of the shots and what inspired it is a treat that I enjoyed a lot like that of Guillermo del Toro's for Pan's Labyrinth.
Movie Review: Beyond the Titillation, a Beautiful Tale of Healing...
Summary: 5 Stars
Those buying "Black Snake Moan" simply to see Christina Ricci nude, or in bondage, will certainly find it...but this film isn't about sleaze, but healing, how anyone can change their lives with love, patience, and respect. This is the message you'll leave the film with...and it beats titillation!
The story tells of three 'broken' souls; a bitter ex-blues singer/farmer (Samuel L. Jackson), coping with his wife running away with his brother; a young nymphomaniac (Ricci), her uncontrollable carnal urges the result of being raped, repeatedly, as a child; and a young soldier (Justin Timberlake), rendered nearly helpless by anxiety attacks. These three 'lost souls' are labeled and dismissed by the small southern community they live in, but through each other, they will find healing, and, ultimately, redemption.
Yes, Ricci is chained by Jackson, but it isn't a sexual gesture, but a means to keep her from returning to the environment that had left her bloodied and unconscious, when he first found her. Yes, Jackson bathes and clothes her, but he is, fundamentally, a moral man, and he tells the minister of the local church exactly what he is doing, asking for guidance.
So, potential viewer, if you want soft porn, look elsewhere...or better yet, BUY this; you may discover something far more worthwhile than you bargained for!
Kudos to writer/director Craig Brewer, and his extraordinary cast!