[6]

Samuel L. Jackson and Christina Ricci star in this southern tale of an abused nymphomaniac who falls under the tough-loving care of a recently divorced bluesman who wants to set her back on God’s path. If you can get over the fact that Jackson’s character literally chains Ricci to his radiator to keep her from whoring around, you’ll see how Black Snake Moans unfolds into a story of unlikely friendship. Hot-button issues swirl around the narrative — age, race, gender, rape, abortion — but never consume it. Writer/director Craig Brewer keeps things focused squarely on the two leading characters and their redemptions. The film has just enough of a fable/fairytale quality that I was able to suspend my disbelief at times and swallow a third act that oversimplifies the characters’ predicaments just a tad. Justin Timberlake does well as Ricci’s boyfriend, while John Cothran and S. Epatha Merkerson are memorable as a preacher and pharmacist who help Jackson in his time of need.