Rating: 7/10
Movies I've previously seen: 6
First time viewings: 95
I've mentioned this movie to a few people, and it's usually returned by a blank stare. I get a little more recognition when I refer to it as the "Matt Damon fracking movie." You could easily substitute any company dealing in natural resources and arrive at a similar message. Yet fracking still seems to be a mystery to many as we continue to learn more about the method.
Matt Damon and Frances McDormand work for a natural gas company. Their job is not an easy one as they canvass a rural town trying to urge the residents to lease their property for the purpose of drilling. Some are appalled by what fracking will do to the community while others eagerly sign with thoughts of dollar signs in their heads. Complicating matters is John Krasinski as an environmentalist, warning the people of the dangers of fracking. This helps drive a wedge into the town, leading to the final climax of a town meeting and a big speech (no real spoiler alert as all of these movies end with speechifying).
"Promised Land" goes beyond the good versus evil of corporations, delving into an internal moral battle. Damon is a rising star with the company, yet questions the purpose of his trip. Meanwhile, McDormand is resigned to her position because she has a family to provide for.
This is the third time Damon has received a writing credit for a film and every time, Gus Van Sant has been in the director's chair (Krasinski is also listed as a writer). In watching one of the extras, the familiarity between writer/actor and director aided in the flow of the film. While this is a sound piece of work, "Good Will Hunting" was a better collaboration for the pair. Of course, the rating may vary depending on your view of fracking.
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