BLACK SNAKE MOAN
US, 2006, 116 minutes, Colour.
Samuel L. Jackson, Christina Ricci, Justin Timberlake, S. Epatha Merkerson, John Cothran Jr, Michael Raymond- James.
Directed by Craig Brewer.
The poster for Black Snake Moan is lurid. It has a scantily clad Christina Ricci on the ground with Samuel L. Jackson standing, dominating, above her. He holds a chain which serves as a leash. One is tempted to interpret the title with some lewd meanings.
Which is a lesson in not judging books by covers or films by posters. Yes, Christina Ricci does look like this. At one stage she is chained. And Samuel L. Jackson dominates her. That still gives a false impression of the film.
Christina Ricci plays Rae, a young poor trash girl in Americas south. Abused by her father and not protected by her mother, she has developed a nymphomaniac psychological and physical condition. Her hope is in her boyfriend, Ronnie (Justin Timberlake) who himself has phobia problems and is going off for national service. In the meantime, Lazarus (Samuel L. Jackson), an old-time musician has given up his playing and is miserable and violent because his wife has been carrying on with his brother and is now walking out on him.
One doesn’t get a very hopeful picture of human nature as the film opens – the town also has some drug pushers and young sports players whose vision of life is crass.
When Lazarus finds an unconscious Rae on the road, he takes her in. What happens is rehabilitation, both for Rae and for Lazarus. This, then, is a moral and sometimes moralising film, showing that one should believe in, have hope in, the goodness of human nature and exercise some charity which must lead to positive results.
There are some fine characters as well. Lazarus has a friend, the Reverend R.L. (John Cothron Jr), who is strong in his advice and religious perspective, a man who supports Lazarus and is able to listen to Rae and Ronnie. S. Epartha Merkerson is a storekeeper who brings a sense of decency and kindness to the film.
Black Snake Moan is not the kind of film that many audiences may want to sit through. For those who do, and who can take this sometimes depressing picture of struggling human beings, it leads somewhere hopeful beyond the final credits.
1.The impact of the film? Audience expectations? Publicity and poster? The lurid touch? The moral tone of the film?
2.The title, the song? The introduction and the explanation of the blues, the explanation during the film? Lazarus and his music, the Black Snake Moan? The African American tradition? Music and frank lyrics? Themes?
3.The atmosphere of the southern states? The town itself, the bar, shops, the open places, the church? The carnival? An ordinary town?
4.The people, black and white, rough, prevalence of drugs, drinking, violence, sexuality?
5.The opening with Rae and Ronnie? Their love for each other? Sexual relationship? Ronnie going for his national service, diffidence? The nature of his fears? Her physical and psychological condition? Setting the tone for the rest of the film?
6.The grim perspective on human nature, Rae and her sexual problems, her relationship with Tehronne? Sexual relationship? The sports, with the sportsmen? The violence? Gill and his picking her up, saving her from the attack? His anger with her, violence, throwing her out? Thinking she was dead?
7.The grim picture of human nature with Lazarus, in the bar, the discussions with his ex-wife, his brother’s relationship with her, her leaving, his violence? His past life, career, music, giving it up? In the bar, with the bartender, the woman making advances? His friendship with Reverend R.L?
8.Lazarus and his finding Rae on the ground, understanding her condition, tenderly helping, her reaction, her presumptions about sexuality, his putting the chain on her, limiting her in the house? Her violent reaction, calming down? Feeding her? Talking to her? Going to buy the clothes, her cold and his getting the medicine from Angela in the shop? Her specially helping him, his story about his niece? The young boy going into the house, the sexual encounter and his violent reaction? Talking to Reverend R.L., bringing his son to the meal, their sharing the meal, an ordinary discussion?
9.The changes in Rae, the initial scene with her mother, giving her money? Her going to the shop, the clash with her mother, her mother’s violent denouncing her, saying she should have had an abortion? The fight in the shop? Lazarus and his being outside with Angela, hearing the commotion, going in to rescue Rae? Ronnie and his return, not being able to find Rae?
10.Lazarus, his friendship with Angela, the discussions, helping with the medicine, her singing, her discovering the truth about Rae? His later relying on her to prepare Rae for the wedding?
11.Reverend R.L. as a strong character, religious, his advice to Lazarus and discussions with him? Lazarus bringing him to talk to Rae? His son, the meal together?
12.Lazarus and the discussions with Rae, about the music, his explanations, taking her to the dance, his playing again, the success and joy?
13.Ronnie, discussions with Gill, his violent reaction, his being overcome by Lazarus? Their talking, his discovering the truth about Rae’s condition, acknowledging his own fears and his failure at military service? The decision to go home?
14.The reconciliation, Angela and the preparations for the wedding, Lazarus and his achievement for Rae, for Ronnie, for himself?
15.The final sequence with the car, the trucks overtaking the car, Ronnie and his fears, Rae and her support – their love, the fragility of their relationship, the film ending with hope?
