MovieChat Forums > Black Snake Moan (2007) Discussion > My thoughts on the film + a serious ques...

My thoughts on the film + a serious question

posted 5 years ago by CinemaDemon989 (1286)
1 reply | jump to latest

For whatever reason, I find myself constantly watching this movie over and over again. It's by no means a perfect film. There are things I like about it and things I hate about it.

I'm a fan of the blues music genre. So for that alone, that's one aspect I liked about it. The music in this movie was really good. Though, I think I'm not alone when I say that Samuel L. Jackson doesn't exactly have the strongest singing voice. But still, that's something I can overlook. I liked the plot, the idea of some distraught sex crazed girl being chained up and held against her will by some blues-playing Southern farmer guy. And I liked the message the film was trying to send; showing how Ricci's character makes an attempt to heal herself from the chaotic lifestyle she's put herself through, and to let go of all the trauma. I really liked the casting choices. And I must say, Christina Ricci looks absolutely stunning in this film. For me, this is probably my favorite role of her's, right next to Prozac Nation and Monster.

But what I didn't like about the film was how rushed everything felt. The story definitely had potential, but didn't really go anywhere. There were so many scattered story-lines and unneeded parts throughout the film. It seemed like a missed opportunity for a classic movie. So for the film feeling rushed, is what mainly disappointed me about it. And I was also bothered by the ending. It just sort of ended on a shallow and random note. I mean, I don't exactly know how I would've ended it. But I just think the ending needed something more to it. If the director would've found somewhere to go with the plot after Ricci's character is finally unchained...I think this film could've had a lot of potential. But like I said, at some point it just fell flat and made me lose interest. I don't know...maybe I'm wrong. Can anyone else relate to what I'm talking about?

And the question I have is, Christina Ricci's character supposedly had STD's and what not. So does that mean the teenager-dude who lost his virginity to her most likely got an STD? I mean, that seems like something that was greatly overlooked.

[–] Ace_Spade (9350) 4 years ago

I agree with you: all hail the blues! Jackson's singing didn't bug me; I felt it was good, bluesy stuff, actually...

Message of the film is great, but I'd argue that both main characters need healing and that they help each other as the story goes on.

One of the things I LOVE about the movie was its subtle ways of communicating things. One example: I didn't need the shot of that sign, "Rose's Roses", because the way Jackson glares at them, we already knew everything... Stuff like that is handled so masterfully.

So, for the bad stuff... Yeah, the ending wasn't 100% on the money. The wedding felt a bit odd because there wasn't enough indication throughout the film that the marriage would work. In fact, I'd largely guess that it wouldn't work. It also made the finale as much about the relationship between Ronnie and Rae when the film's biggest relationship was Rae and Lazarus. I did find him standing in as her father, giving her away and all that, to be quite beautiful and touching, though... And I liked her singing the song to Ronnie.

Some stuff felt rushed, but mostly they got it. I think maybe one or two more scenes of Jackson and Ricci struggling together to cure her (and heal him in the process) might have helped, but it might also have crushed the pace of hte film.

There were parts when I was literally on the edge of my seat, just mouth gaping, watching this great piece of cinema. Wonderful stuff.

RL is the only one who says she's got STDs. How informed is he of her medical history? Now, with her activities, she's probably had (or has) something, but she might not actually have anything. The kid might not have contracted anything, either. But...well, it's possible...