Promised Land
Two drilling representatives (Matt Damon and Frances McDormand) hit a snag when trying to coerce a town into selling the rights to their land when a concerned teacher (Hal Holbrook) stirs up a negative campaign led by John Krasinski. Gus Van Sant directs from a script by Damon and Krasinski from a story by Dave Eggers.
Director: Gus Van Sant
Starring: Matt Damon,John Krasinski, Frances McDormand, Rosemarie DeWitt, Hal Holbrook
Urgent, heartfelt, and not-quite-as-predictable-as-you-think environmental rabble-rouser.
Though the film eventually caves to sentiment and stereotype, its alert performances and muted rhythms offer much to enjoy in the interim.
Director Gus Van Sant finds the human side of a knotty issue. No polemics. Just the face of a new America in crisis.
Promised Land is a fine place to start appreciating Matt Damon, who always makes it seem as if everybody else is acting and he's just going through the movie being natural.
Promised Land is an involving and timely tale that explores the changing nature and complex challenges of rural life.
International Jury
Berlin International Film Festival (2013)
National Board of Review (2012)
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