in 
Hey, I love the Blues, I like Ricci (until she has those 'Oscar moment dialogues' near the end), I love Ricci in other stuff especially Buffalo 66' and The Ice Storm, I love Jackson and greatly respect the fact that he learned the guitar on this film. Justin Timberlake - - not so good. I found him much more appealing in his small role in Southland Tales. He was awful!
In fact, its the Timberlake sequence with the preacher near the end as well as the end itself which is contrived. The ending is pure Hollywood tripe and I do not buy it.
After the film, I will pick up my guitar and attempt again to play it well. Watching a bit of the Blu-Ray extra features solidified my views on the film - this was strategic Hollywood product.
** 1/2 / *****
Buffalo '66 (1998)
The Ice Storm (1997)
Southland Tales (2006)