Black Snake Moan (2006)
Drama, Music |
Black Snake Moan is a American drama film written and directed by Craig Brewer and starring Samuel L. Jackson, Christina Ricci, and Justin Timberlake. The plot focuses on a Mississippi bluesman (Jackson) who holds a troubled local woman (Ricci) captive in his house in an attempt to cure her of her nymphomania after finding her severely beaten on the side of a road.
The title of the film derives from the 1927 Blind Lemon Jefferson song. The film draws numerous references to the Mississippi Blues movement, particularly in its title and soundtrack.
The film centers on two main characters: Lazarus Redd (Samuel L. Jackson), a deeply religious farmer and former blues guitarist, and Rae Doole (Christina Ricci), a young sex addict. Lazarus’ wife and his brother were having an affair, which has left him bitter and angry. Rae’s boyfriend Ronnie Morgan (Justin Timberlake) leaves for deployment with the 196th Field Artillery Brigade, Tennessee National Guard, and in his absence, she indulges in bouts of promiscuity and drug use. During one of Rae’s binges, Ronnie’s friend Gill Morton (Michael Raymond-James) tries to take advantage of her. She laughs at his advances, comparing him unfavorably with another man, and he severely beats her. Believing she’s dead, Gill dumps Rae and leaves her by the side of the road wearing only a shirt and panties and drives away.
Director: Craig Brewer
Writer: Craig Brewer
Stars: Christina Ricci, Samuel L. Jackson, Justin Timberlake, S. Epatha Merkerson, John Cothran, David Banner, Michael Raymond-James
Cast:
Samuel L. Jackson | … | Lazarus |
Christina Ricci | … | Rae |
Justin Timberlake | … | Ronnie |
S. Epatha Merkerson | … | Angela |
John Cothran | … | Reverend R.L. |
David Banner | … | Tehronne |
Michael Raymond-James | … | Gill |
Adriane Lenox | … | Rose Woods |
Kim Richards | … | Sandy |
Neimus K. Williams | … | Lincoln |
Leonard L. Thomas | … | Deke Woods |
Ruby Wilson | … | Mayella |
Claude Phillips | … | Bojo |
Amy Lavere | … | Jesse |
Clare Grant | … | Kell |
Jeff Pope | … | Batson |
Charles ‘Skip’ Pitts | … | Charlie (as Skip Pitts) |
Willie Hall | … | Pinetop |
John Malloy | … | Gene |
T.C. Sharpe | … | Archie |
John Still | … | Herman |
Jared Hopkins | … | Auto Worker |
Tosh Newman | … | Conner |
Cody Block | … | Bryan |
Benjamin Rednour | … | Guardsman |
Carnell Pepper | … | Melvin |
David Chapman | … | Red |
Jo Lynne Palmer | … | Ella Mae (as Jolynne Palmer) |
Raymond Neal | … | Hershel |
John Pickle | … | Arty |
Kim Justis | … | Waitress |
Cedric Burnside | … | Self |
Kenny Brown | … | Self |
Josh Driver | … | Self (uncredited) |
Evelyn Diana Frogge-Chabot | … | Juke Joint Patron (uncredited) |
Dhonna Harris Goodale | … | Dancer / Barmaid (uncredited) |
Son House | … | Self (archive footage) (uncredited) |
Sources: imdb & wikipedia