Film Review: Promised Land

Gus Van Sant’s Promised Land aims to inform people about fracking, one of today’s most controversial subjects, while trying to entertain with a run-of-the-mill story.

The script was written by Matt Damon and John Krasinski, from a story by the bestselling author Dave Eggers. Damon plays Steve Butler, an ace corporate salesman who is sent along with his partner, Sue Thomason, played by Frances McDormand, to close a key rural town in his company’s expansion plans. With the town having been hit hard by the economic decline of recent years, the two outsiders see the local citizens as likely to accept their company’s offer, for drilling rights to their properties, as much-needed relief.

But when an intelligent schoolteacher, played by Hal Holbrook, begins to ask questions about the process of fracking, the town begins to think twice about giving in to the company’s offers. Krasinski also shows up later in the film as a sweet-talking and charming environmentalist who tries to convince the town folks to stay fracking-free.

Besides hitting you over the head with the message that fracking is bad, Promised Land tries to focus on one man’s internal struggle to prove that he’s not a bad guy. Damon plays Butler with charisma and integrity. Even though he’s meant to be seen as the evil corporate guy, you’re cheering for him to pull off the big contract. Damon’s character has seen, first-hand, what fracking can do to a farm. He relates to the people he’s dealing with, and that humanizes him. Krasinski, who’s usually the most likeable guy in the movie, comes off as an environmentalist bully. He’s slick and cool, but not exactly the good guy he portrays to be for most of the film.

Despite the solid performances, Promised Land is way too preachy and also suffers from a mean-spirited, obvious twist. The writers tried to sprinkle in some romance to distract from the hard-hitting message, but it doesn’t work. The love stories feel forced and the supporting characters too thin, and that’s a damn shame because Rosemarie DeWitt is a lovely actress who we don’t get enough of in the film.

Van Sant is totally capable of handling controversial subjects. Milk is proof of that. But this film lacks heart and passion. Promised Land is informative. It’ll teach you a lot about fracking, and maybe even simplify it for you. But the story is dull and not very entertaining.

Promised Land opens wide on January 4, 2013.

Rating: C

Howzah123

This movie was funded by foreign oil companies. It’s utter garbage and propaganda.
Stoibs

This is Hollywood garbage at it’s worst. Most people have no idea what fracking is and how safe the “chemicals” used are. This is propaganda at its worst! Damon and everyone involved should be ashamed of themselves. Natural gas is going to be a major weapon to help combat global warming. It would seem that these “environmentalists” would love it, but it seems like they are just going to complain about anything that provides energy for people.
myclawismypenis

natural gas may be a good energy choice with regards to the environment, but people do have strong opinions in regards to the safety of fracking—>thats why its banned in some countries.
Stoibs

People have strong opinions, but that doesn’t mean those opinions are correct. I have my degree in both chemistry and biomedical science. I minored in bio-physics and I am currently working on my DPT. I worked for a certain energy company that I will not name, but I assure you, the majority of claims made are bogus. The chemicals used are safe. This is “environmentalist” propaganda. Global warming is happening. I am certainly not a liberal, but I recognize scientific facts. No matter what the energy source is or how it is obtained, there will be people that complain about it. The facts just don’t back their arguments up.
myclawismypenis

well, that just makes it clear that you have a different opinion than those that don’t agree with you about the process. in any situation, both have a right to “voice” their side of the story.