- Film Review
- Reviewed By Sloan Freer
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3 out of 5
After putting a sympathetic gloss on pimping in Hustle & Flow, writer/director Craig Brewer pushes more emotional hot buttons in this outrageous Deep South melodrama. Christina Ricci oozes raw sexuality as small-town nymphomaniac Rae, who's left for dead by the roadside following a wild night. She's taken in by a God-fearing former blues musician (an intense Samuel L Jackson) who decides to cure the scantily clad girl of her lasciviousness - by chaining her to his radiator for some carnal cold turkey. Evoking the ambience of 1970s exploitation films, Brewer delivers a questionable, yet surprisingly entertaining, morality tale about sex, race and the redemptive power of the blues. Although the film's serious execution doesn't really suit its lurid subject matter, the whole thing is deliciously absurd - almost every cliché-riddled scene provokes laughter rather than empathy. Juicy dialogue and a sizzling soundtrack add to the guilty pleasure, and there's strong support from singer Justin Timberlake as Rae's soldier boyfriend.
Plot Summary
Sultry Deep South melodrama. After her boyfriend is shipped off to boot camp, small-town nymphomaniac Rae goes on a wild bender that leaves her half-dead on a deserted roadside. She's found by God-fearing black blues musician Lazarus, who decides to cure the scantily clad girl of her wicked ways - by chaining her to his radiator for some carnal cold turkey.
Cast and crew
Cast
- Lazarus
- Samuel L Jackson
- Rae
- Christina Ricci
- Ronnie
- Justin Timberlake
- Angela
- S Epatha Merkerson
- Reverend RL
- John Cothran Jr
- Tehronne
- David Banner
- Gill
- Michael Raymond-James
- Rose Woods
- Adriane Lenox
- Sandy
- Kim Richards
- Lincoln
- Neimus K Williams
- Deke Woods
- Leonard L Thomas
- Mayella
- Ruby Wilson
- Bojo
- Claude Phillips
- Jesse
- Amy Lavere
Crew
- Director
- Craig Brewer
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