The
plot follows Laz's relationship with Rae (Christina Ricci), a young
sex addict who breaks down after the wartime departure of her true
love (Justin Timberlake). Her intimate connection with Laz aids in
her psychological and emotional recovery. Rap artist David Banner
of Jackson plays Tehronne, a major role Brewer wrote specifically
for him.
Brewer predicts
the movie will spark controversy among mainstream American audiences,
but he hopes they get a deeper understanding of pain and healing
from the themes.
"They can
look at it as an incredible story between two people, presented
in a raw and exciting way," Brewer said. "But (they're)
still going to have to deal with that fact that this is an old black
musician that has a white sex-addicted woman on a chain, regardless
of how the narrative gets them there."
Upon hearing
about the plot, Jackson was asked what ran through his mind before
accepting the role as Lazarus.
“I
don’t know how to play guitar ran through my mind,” said
Jackson. He eventually found a guitar teacher to help him prepare
for the part.
“The
script itself is a very complex and interesting story. When I read
it I was totally intrigued by that particular character who had gotten
away from music and had to find his way back (and) who had some interesting
dilemmas to solve. He just lost his wife and his brother. He finds
this young, white nymphomaniac beaten and left on a road and he takes
her to his house. He ends up chaining her to a radiator in his house
trying to reform her,” said Jackson of the movie directed by
Craig Brewer.
Not
being able to resist, Jackson added: “I guess there’s
going to be a big debate about this film when it comes out. Maybe
we’ll find out who all the nymphomaniacs are because they’ll
start to protest it or support it in some kind of way.”
One
of his co-stars is pop star turned actor, Justin Timberlake. Now,
I’m sure there are a lot of people out there who don’t
believe this guy can act and it’ll be even more glaring opposite
such thespians as Morgan Freeman and Jackson. When asked about this,
I don’t know if Jackson was pausing to come up with something
diplomatic to say: “I guess this may be his third or fourth
film. He has the film EDISON that he did with Morgan and Kevin Spacey.
He just did ALPHA DOG before he came to this particular film. I spent
the majority of my time working with Christina (Ricci). I only have
one real scene with Justin which turned out well. I do the majority
of talking in that scene also. It’s sort of a monologue scene
(where) he’s looking at me with a gun on me. It’s kind
of fun to do that – intimidate young actors. I think Justin
is going to be OK. He has a real hunger to learn the craft and he’s
connected to someone (Cameron Diaz) who’s successful in it.
Hopefully she can give him tips and guide him through it as he makes
his way through this milieu that we call acting.”
