100 Movie Challenge 2014 - # 64: Promised Land

Director: Gus van Sant

Genre: Drama

Runtime: 106 minutes

Year: 2012

Starring: Matt Damon, Frances McDormand, John Krasinski, Rosemarie DeWitt, Scoot McNairy, Titus Welliver, Hal Holbrook

Description: A salesman (Matt Damon) for a natural gas company experiences life-changing events after arriving in a small town, where his corporation wants to tap into the available resources.

Review: The story follows Steve Butler and Sue Thomason who travel to a small town in Pennsylvania, on behalf of oil company Global. There is gas under that ground and with the use of fracking they want to get it out. Steve and Sue are trying to convince the locals that they can earn a lot of money when Global can drill there. But when environmentalist Dustin shows up, it changes everything.

“Promised Land” is mostly about the dilemma environment or money? With that given, it’s hard to find the main characters, Steve and Sue, likeable. It’s easier to get on Dustin’s side. It’s not clear which side the director wants you to be on.

The movie is an entertaining light drama, but it isn’t original. I did like Matt Damon, Frances McDormand and John Krasinski in their roles. It’s especially fun to see a different side from Krasinski.

It was an okay movie, until we got to the end. That ruined it for me. It was anything but satisfying. With that, it makes “Promised Land” and easily forgettable film, but not at all bad. Sad, because it had more potential.

Rating: 2,5 / 5