Beauty in Black Snake Moan

"Okay, sit back, get ready, here goes: Not since The Apostle has a more spiritual mainstream movie been released than Black Snake Moan. It depicts the need for forgiveness and change so realistically that it will certainly offend many church-goers; and yet, at the same time, it may cause many who have issues with Christianity to respect the real-life, honest-to-goodness struggles of those living out their faith on the screen before them."-Hollywood Jesus (http://www.hollywoodjesus.com/)

Somewhere in the midst of bad language, several graphic scenes, a controversial plot, and iron chains is a wonderful movie about redemption and dare I say.....resurrection. Yes, I did say "iron chains" as the movie depicts a black man who chains up a white woman in order to take care of her needs. The director, who is from Memphis, actually said that when the actress (Chistina Ricci) came out on to the set with the chain around her waist that everyone was silent. No one knew what to say. There they were. Filming a movie in the deep south with a pretty young woman getting ready to be chained up to a heavy furnace. They all thought, "What are we doing?" If you feel grimy right now it is OK, the director has achieved what he wanted to achieve.

But back to the story of resurrection. Lazarus, played by Samuel Jackson, takes this abused young woman (Rae) under his care and attempts to purge her "evil" ways by means of isolation and tough love. But Lazarus has his own demons. His wife has cheated on him and his own salvation is sure to be found through anger, booze, and music. But the beauty of Black Snake Moan is that a sort of resurrection is found by both Lazarus and Rae. Rae has plenty of weaknesses and Lazarus, who first appears strong as a lion, admits his own fears and weakness. Somewhere along the way they find a type of strength that is only found by admitting who they are and only then can they have a slim hope for the future.

And there you have it. The gospel. In this case we have two people (victims) who discover that the only hope they have in overcoming 'the self' and the junk that comes with it is to admit that they are no good at life. This movie was primarily about bondage and being set free. When the chains finally fell from Rae's waist, the viewer could sense of fear upon her because now she would have the unwanted freedom to return to her destructive addiction.

Don't we all have a choice of whether or not stay in bondage to ourselves or accept a type of divine ownership that results in a true kind of freedom?

For younger viewers, I'm sure that Black Snake Moan's message would not be heard through the medium of the disturbing images. But I do believe that there is a story of redemption through weakness that is evident in this movie. Interestingly enough, I thought that a redemptive moment would come by means of Rae's conversation with the preacher. However, it is to be noted that she did not accept what the preacher proclaimed. Rather, salvation for Rae was something that had to be lived and experienced. Salvation was something that would not come easy. And resurrection would come only when she realized she was trash. Resurrection for Lazarus came by means of confession, love, and a purging of the past through music.

I loved this movie. But it was the next day when I realized it. Hope by means of realizing that there is something greater than ourselves. The gaining of strength by confessing that we but weak. Like-minded human beings gathering together in a community confession that we all need each other. Sounds familiar.

"While many will not realize the significant symbolism of Black Snake Moan, others might consider the story syrupy if they didn’t know better. Instead, we are served one delicious cup of java that not only has the taste of delight but the aroma of a wonderful heavenly experience. While there will be some who don’t like coffee—some who might even be offended at the intake of caffeine—this highly-charged, captivating story will certainly delight those who want examples of living out their faith, and the power of God in his ability to change lives. Not in a overtly religious way, but in a realistic presentation that left at least this one reviewer captivated enough that he could hardly get the movie off his mind over the weekend." - Mike Furches, HJ

Or, as Mike McKinley writes, (unrelated to review of BSM)

"When Jesus was on earth, He painted a radical vision for his followers. He called it the "kingdom of God." His kingdom is a heavenly reality that lands smack in the middle of everyday life. Maybe it was the clash of opposites or the paradox that exists in parallel with many lesser kingdoms, but either way, his followers were not quick to pick up on this revolution. They longed for another world - a world without oppressors, beggers, or messes. For three years, Jesus walked among the people overcome with longing and spread the good news of his kingdom. And He said that His kingdom was already happening all around them."