Black Snake Moan (film)

Black Snake Moan is a 2006 film written and directed by Craig Brewer. It was filmed in and around Stanton, Tennessee, and stars Samuel L. Jackson, Christina Ricci, and Justin Timberlake. The title of the film derives from the 1927 Blind Lemon Jefferson song, while the plot, as confirmed by director Brewer in the commentary to the DVD of the film, is loosely based on George Eliot's 1861 novel Silas Marner. The film draws numerous references to the Mississippi Blues movement, not least in its title and soundtrack.

Plot

The film centers on two main characters: Lazarus (Samuel L. Jackson), a deeply religious farmer and former blues guitarist, and Rae (Christina Ricci), a young nymphomaniac. Lazarus's wife and his brother were having an affair, which has left him a bitter and angry man. Rae's boyfriend Ronnie (Justin Timberlake) leaves for deployment with the 196th Field Artillery Brigade, Tennessee National Guard, and in his absence she has bouts of promiscuity and drug use. During one of Rae's binges, Ronnie's friend Gill (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, barefoot by the side of the road and drives away.

Lazarus discovers Rae unconscious in the road the next morning and brings her home to nurse her back to health. Lazarus goes to see Tehronne (the man who Lazarus thought had...
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