Rent Black Snake Moan (2007)

Redemption and the blues. - Black Snake Moan review by CP Customer

Rae is a drug addled teenage nymphomaniac, whose national guardsman boyfriend Ronnie has just shipped off to war leaving Rae to look to the local boys for satisfaction. After a rough encounter with one of Ronnie's buddies, she ends up half-naked beaten and bloody lying in the middle of the road in front of Lazarus' house. Lazarus, an ageing Tennessee farmer and retired blues guitarist who's filled with bitterness after his wife leaves him for his younger brother, picks her up, takes her inside, and takes it upon himself to nurse her back to health and cure her of her demons. Oh, and he attaches her to a fifty-pound steel chain so she can't escape. Despite its slightly strange storyline, this is an absolute corker of a film. Samuel Jackson is superb as Lazarus and this is easily the best thing he’s done in years. He nails the character's bitterness and rage perfectly, while also capturing a good mans damaged faith and empty heart. Cristina Ricci is also fantastic as Rae, a deeply damaged individual who in Lazarus finds just what she needs, a strong positive father figure. Director Craig Brewer does a fine job and cleverly keeps the sexual tension between the two main characters in check, releasing just enough to keep the story interesting and believable. Beautifully directed, acted with a great storyline, dialogue and a powerful blues score, this is definitely one to see.