Black Snake Moan

Initially, Black Snake Moan feels like the bastard child of an Erskine Caldwell novel and an exploitation film such as Poor White Trash, but it evolves into something quite different, thanks to the skillful writing and direction of Craig Brewer (Hustle & Flow). Set in a small Tennessee community, the film finds local town trollop Rae (Christina Ricci) going on a tear after her young National Guardsman boyfriend (Justin Timberlake) is deployed to Iraq. Innumerable drinks later, Rae is raped, beaten, and left for dead near the small farm of a recovering alcoholic and born-again Christian named Lazarus (Samuel L. Jackson), who's been seething with righteous indignation ever since his wife ran away with his brother. Lazarus takes Rae into his home, nurses her wounds...and chains her to his radiator, determined to teach the girl the error of her ways. Needless to say, up to this point the movie seems rather salacious, but Brewer steers it in an unexpected direction and turns Black Snake Moan into something quite unlike the sleazefest suggested by the film's marketing. Ricci delivers a performance of near feral intensity, initially making Rae a totally debauched and seemingly irredeemable character, while Jackson brings emotional depth to his role. Timberlake once again demonstrates that he's a lot more talented than his boy-band past might indicate, while S. Epatha Merkerson and John Cothran Jr. provide able support as friends who reluctantly assist Lazarus in his “mission.” Recommended. [Note: DVD extras include audio commentary by writer-director Craig Brewer, the 28-minute “making-of” featurette “Conflicted,” a 13-minute “Rooted in the Blues” featurette, five deleted scenes with optional commentary (12 min.), “The Black Snake Moan” featurette on the title song (12 min.), a photo gallery, and trailers. Bottom line: a solid extras package for an offbeat but powerful film.] (E. Hulse)