Black Snake Moan (2006)
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A rural farmer finds a woman abandoned by the road and decides to 'cure' her of her perceived sins.
The story
In the rural landscape of Tennessee, a deeply religious farmer and former blues guitarist named Lazarus Redd discovers a young woman, Rae Doole, unconscious and beaten on the side of a road. Believing her to be a victim of her own promiscuity and drug use, Lazarus takes her into his farmhouse. He decides to keep her captive, claiming it is his spiritual duty to heal her of her 'sinful ways.' As Rae struggles against her confinement, the film explores the complex dynamics between the two characters and the heavy influence of the Mississippi Blues movement on their lives.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
Lazarus Redd, a bitter farmer and former blues guitarist, finds Rae Doole, a young woman struggling with addiction, abandoned by the road. He takes her into his home, chaining her to a radiator to 'cure' her of her nymphomania. While Rae initially tries to escape, she eventually begins to tolerate her situation as Lazarus provides her with food, music, and a sense of care. Meanwhile, Rae's boyfriend, Ronnie Morgan, returns from military service and begins a desperate search for her. He eventually discovers her location and confronts Lazarus. After a period of tension, Lazarus releases Rae, and she chooses to stay with him. The story culminates in a series of confrontations and revelations, including Rae confronting her mother about past abuse. Ultimately, Ronnie and Rae reconcile and marry, deciding to support each other despite their struggles.
- First release year
- 2006
- Runtime (minutes)
- 116
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Craig Brewer
- Writers
- Craig Brewer · writer
- Cast and characters
- Christina Ricci · Rae Doole; Samuel L. Jackson · Lazarus Redd; Justin Timberlake · Ronnie Morgan; S. Epatha Merkerson · Angela; John Cothran Jr. · R.L.; David Banner · Tehronne; Kim Richards · Sandy Doole; Michael Raymond-James · Gill Morton
- Genres
- Southern Gothic; black comedy; drama
- Themes
- faith; addiction; redemption; blues culture
- Tone and mood
- Southern Gothic; darkly comedic
- Premise and plot tags
- musical; rural; religious
- Source material / true-story basis
- 1927 Blind Lemon Jefferson song
- Reported review scores
- Metacritic · score: 52 · scale: 100 · review count: 34
- Production trivia
- The title is derived from a 1927 song by Blind Lemon Jefferson.; The film was shot in and around Memphis, Tennessee.; Samuel L. Jackson spent months learning to play the blues guitar for the role.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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