Must Watch Film

Craig (Hustle & Flow) Brewer’s Black Snake Moan opened today amid a fury of controversy.

The film follows a God-fearing bluesman (Samuel L. Jackson) as he tries to save a wild young woman (Christina Ricci) who, as a victim of childhood sexual abuse, looks everywhere for love, never quite finding it.

Why is this film sparking such polarized reviews? Because Jackson’s characters chains Ricci’s to his radiator.

And because some people feel Ricci is being exploited.

And because, of course, it would be a cold day in the h-e-l-l if everyone appreciated an original idea – and I’ve only seen the trailer for the film – that perhaps, just perhaps, is actually an extreme commentary on the characteristics of life it so provocatively presents.

What do you say...are we there or what?

Photo: Paramount Classics.