Black Snake Moan (2006)

Director:

Craig Brewer

Writer (WGA):

Craig Brewer (written by)

Release Date:

2 March 2007 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Music

Tagline:

Everything is hotter down south.

Plot:

A God-fearing bluesman takes to a wild young woman who, as a victim of childhood sexual abuse, looks everywhere for love, never quite finding it.

Plot Keywords:

Abuse | Sexual Abuse | Slut | Anxiety | Chained

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Samuel L. Jackson	...	Lazarus
Christina Ricci	...	Rae
Justin Timberlake	...	Ronnie
S. Epatha Merkerson	...	Angela
John Cothran Jr.	...	Reverend R. L. (as John Cothran)
David Banner	...	Tehronne
Michael Raymond-James	...	Gill
Adriane Lenox	...	Rose Woods
Kim Richards	...	Sandy
Neimus K. Williams	...	Lincoln
Leonard L. Thomas	...	Deke Woods
Ruby Wilson	...	Mayella
Claude Phillips	...	Bojo
Amy Lavere	...	Jesse
Clare Grant	...	Kell

MPAA:

Rated R for strong sexual content, language, some violence and drug use.

Runtime:

116 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White (archive footage) | Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital | DTS

Certification:

USA:R | UK:15 | Singapore:M18 | Ireland:16 | Netherlands:16 | USA:R (certificate #42163) | New Zealand:R16 | Germany:16 | Finland:K-15 | Sweden:11 | South Korea:18 | Argentina:16 | Japan:PG-12 | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Canada:14A | Australia:MA | Portugal:M/16 | Ireland:18 (DVD rating) | Brazil:18

Filming Locations:

Memphis, Tennessee, USA

Company:

Paramount Classics

Trivia:

The title of the film derives from the Blind Lemon Jefferson song recorded in 1927.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: When Ronnie and Gill go back to Ronnie's house and everything is just as it was left some days ago, the lava lamp on the table has clearly not been on for very long.

Quotes:

Gill: I thought you had some shorts on earlier.
Rae: I got others.

Movie Connections:

Spoofed in "Saturday Night Live: Rainn Wilson/Arcade Fire (#32.14)" (2007)

Soundtrack:

Catfish Blues

Craig Brewer convinces us that he is for real and Samuel L. makes sweet music

Just saw this fantastic film at the Sundance premier and cannot sing its praises enough. Last time I saw Craig Brewer he was singing Ike and Tina to the audience and turning Sundance upside down with his breakout film Hustle and Flow. This time around he fulfills on his big Sundance payday with another unique vision thats going to get everyone talking about Samuel L Jackson, and if you thought Christina Ricci was just that girl in the Addams Family movies then think again. Ricci plays Rae a complete mess of a women who without her beloved Ronnie, played by the getting better all the time Justin Timberlake, has an uncontrollable need for all things sexual. When Ronnie leaves for the a tour with the Army, Rae's demons send her tumbling down a bumpy road that leaves her used and abused left for dead on the side of the road. Along comes old blues-man Lazarus played by the great Samuel L Jackon, Lazarus himself has a few demons lurking around in his head as well, notably his ex-wife who done wrong by him. Lazarus gets to think about this young women and after some soul searching he takes it upon himself to cure her evil ways with some love, some lessons and a 40 lb. chain. I don't want to reveal too much so I'll just say there's some dark moments, some very funny moments and whole lot of great acting. This movie isn't by any means Hustle & Flow 2, however Craig Brewer does tie the two films together with his hope for redemption and change for the better for even the most unlikely of people. Audiences will find a movie worth watching here and worth thinking about well after it ends.