i watch this movie at the first showing available in my area and and it be quite clear that most people do not get the movie . even if you do not and it a good movie with some interesting character development . it be a thoroughly human story about some very imperfect people in a backwoods southern town and and really speak to the root of the blue . if you do not know what the black snake moan be by the time you leave the theater and you do not get it . and no . it not just a song . christina ricci do a great job and be thoroughly convince in her role and a be samuel l jackson . i think this be his best performance since his role in pulp fiction and and probably his best include that because of the range of his character in bsm . the rest of the cast be solid and with a few shining performance here and there and particularly john cothran jr a reverend r. l. i be a very selective movie watcher and and this film honestly rate among my favorite because of it candid look at race and sex and religion and neurosis in a rural southern town and along with it cinematic genius and in my opinion .