Lazarus used to play the blues. He put away his guitar when he got married. Unfortunately, things didn’t work out. His wife left him—for his brother. Now he’s learning about the blues up close and personal and the bitterness is taking over.

Rae is a young woman who’s had a tough life. She’s been a victim of sexual abuse, and was abandoned by her mother. The one good thing in her life has been her boyfriend, Ronnie, but he’s leaving for military service. Rae doesn’t handle being alone well, and without an anchor she turns to what she knows—drinking, drugs, and men. Lazarus’ and Rae’s paths cross in writer-director Craig Brewer’s Black Snake Moan when a late night out leaves Rae unconscious, beaten, and half-naked beside a dirt road near Lazarus’ house.

When Rae finally comes to her senses several days later, one of the first things she notices is heavy steel chain wrapped around her waist attached to a steam radiator. I can guess what you might be thinking at this point, but you’d probably be wrong. Black Snake Moan is one of those rare movies that seldom swerve in the direction you think it’s going to. Having been adrift in life himself since his wife’s departure, Lazarus decides that there’s a purpose behind this strange meeting between them, and he’s determined to help Rae straighten out her life.

Despite the heavy setup, there are more than a few light moments to be found in Black Snake Moan. With Samuel L. Jackson in the role of Lazarus, you can expect a healthy dose of his unique wit, and more than a little salty language to go along with it. It’s safe to say this movie has its raw moments as well, and that includes a few fairly graphic sexual scenes featuring Christina Ricci’s Rae. She’s a good match on-screen for Jackson, though. Still, if that’s all the movie had to offer, it would be easy to dismiss. Fortunately, wrapped inside is a touching story of redemption.

While Lazarus is struggling to help Rae a funny thing happens: he starts to find healing for himself. He’s determined to keep the whole thing secret, but his plans go awry and his childhood friend and pastor R.L., played by John Cothran, gets involved. You might think this is a lead-in for a little bible-thumping, but again, you’d be wrong. Instead it leads to a poignant scene of Rae and R.L. discussing what he believes in a very practical way. It’s a defining moment and I didn’t see it coming.

And that’s a pretty good description of the whole experience for me. Black Snake Moan wasn’t what I expected. And every time I thought I knew where it was going, I was wrong. I like that in a movie. Not everyone is going to like this one, but if you prefer your movies a little quirky and unpredictable you might find this an interesting story.

Black Snake Moan is rated R for “strong sexual content, language, some violence and drug use.” This shouldn’t surprise anyone who has seen the trailer; don’t say you weren’t warned!

Courtesy of a local publicist, Michael attended a promotional screening of Black Snake Moan.