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Set
(and filmed) in Memphis, the sweaty sexed-up thriller fixes on a
saddened blues musician (Jackson) who takes a wild child (Christina
Ricci) into his home and is determined to cure her off her wild ways
(Think Father Merrin exorcising the beast out of Linda Blair and you
get the polaroid).
And yes, it’s as stupid as it sounds.
Further proof that good trailers don’t always equal good films, Black Snake Moan
had one of the most appealing marketing campaigns – it's poster kicks
ass too – in recent history. Pity the film couldn’t garner as much
interest as the pre-show sneak.
Not to say the film doesn’t have its merits – its directed rather expertly (by Hustle & Flow
helmer Craig Brewer) and it’s main players are giving it their best
(Jackson and Ricci are immerse in their respective roles; both unafraid
to ‘go there’ with their roles, especially Ricci whose naked for half
the movie).
It’s just such a vanilla effort for something that could’ve been, and was expected, to be a little more flavoursome.
The main problem with Black Snake Moan
isn’t that it’s dull (and it isn’t that Justin Timberlake’s so wimpy in
it he deters enjoyment, albeit slightly and briefly) its that it’s all
about being provocative rather than encompassing some degree of
substance. But even then, how much is there to say about a man that
chains a nympho up to a radiator and watches her squirm until the ‘sex
fiend’ within flees her system?
By no means a classic, but worth checking out if only for the superb blues ridden soundtrack.
EXTRAS
The
DVD features a few deleted scenes - one with Sammy smooching a
woman (is that a first on film for him?) and some more Timber-snooze. A
feature length commentary with Writer, Director Craig Brewer is
optional, as are the manditory featurettes (although "Rooted in the
Blues" is well worth a peek for music fans).
A nice enough package, especially for rabid teenage fans of Christina Ricci. Conclusion:
Movie 65% Extras: 55%
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