Black Snake Moan

I gotta admit: I felt a little creepy liking Black Snake Moan as much as I did. Sure, I thought the acting was terrific, and the dialogue was stellar. But I worried that a big part of the reason I liked this movie so much is because Christina Ricci spends most of it partially nude, and chained to a radiator.




See what I mean!?!

(And that's more clothes than she wore during most of the film.)






Sexist, exploitive-looking movie poster aside, Black Snake Moan is a better-than-average flick that examines the need we humans have to connect with others, particularly when we are going through trauma.

As much as we need others we tend to be too prideful to seek help, and sometimes we even ignore the life's problems until they consume us. The characters in Black Snake Moan all experience events that cause trauma, depression and anxiety. And alone, they can't handle the distress.

Together, they realize they can overcome the odds.

Ricci gives a terrific performance as Rae, despite wearing mostly only her knickers throughout the film. (Underwear that stays remarkably clean, Mrs. Film Geek noted several times.) And Samuel L. Jackson is terrific in the role of Lazerus, who almost reaches his boiling point before recognizing he could salvage his own humanity--become a better person-- by helping Rae overcome her problems.

The film boasts a cool blues soundtrack too, including a song or two from Jackson, who learned to play blues guitar for the part.