Promised Land (2012)

Surprisingly incoherent and boring

This story has more twists and turns than a second-rate soap opera.

True to its essence, the characters remain on the same line and manage to entertain the viewer, each highlighting their own distinctive qualities or touches.

This movie feels like it was made purely to piss off people who want good shows

I would have scored Promised Land a seven instead of a six if it was not for the ending that I found too far fetched. It could have been better with another ending. You for sure can not trust any big corporation on this planet as money and profit are the only things that count in their eyes but the story could have been better with a more realistic outcome. The cast is good though. Matt Damon always delivers as an actor. He's an actor and a human being with good values, somebody that I really appreciate. So it's always nice to watch him in a movie. But in Promised Land there were so many options where the story could have gone to and unfortunately I think they didn't choose the best options. But all in all it's not a bad movie, just an average one, good to watch once.

Okay. So I was hesitant about watching this movie because of its relatively low rating. I checked out the trailer - looked good - so I gave it a shot. And it was way above my expectations.Of course, Gus Van Sant took care of the medium. Visuals looked great as expected. Intimate colors with a bit of grainy texture to add to the atmosphere. Acting was superb. The subject around which the story revolves shed light on a topic I find very interesting, though it may not be the same for the general audience.Upon checking the rest of the reviews here, it looks like most of the low ratings were affected more by political dissidence rather than the cinematic experience itself. What they have to understand is that the movie is not made to point to a conclusion; it simply tells the story of the land owners, so we can hear the side of the very people who are directly affected by the movements made by these corporate giants. The statement this movie is trying to make is a far cry from the aggressive strategies they have been using on these small towns. If you find something disagreeable then start your own arguments elsewhere. No doubt this movie was well done. They did a great job.

This film had so much promise but it was so full of predictable, one dimensional characters and story lines that I just couldn't get into it. I was so disappointed at the ending. It was unrealistic and very typical of Hollywood, feel good endings. "The conflicted bad guy ends up doing the right thing in the end". blah, blah, blah. A much better ending would have been for the writer and director to trust the viewer to resolve the underlying conflicts personally. Would a Rep from a global energy company really do the right thing? HELL NO! Yet we were cheated of realism because we are too fragile to come to grips with that fact and we will be much happier if we are lied to and led to believe there is good in the world. Even worse, how many more times can screenwriters get away with filling 20 minutes of a film with a cliché "guy from out of town meets a cute, honorable girl in the local bar and she becomes an integral part of his life" story??? The entire creative team missed a huge opportunity on this one. What a disappointment. I am glad I didn't pay to watch this film.

Promised Land, from the prolific director Gus Van Sant, is not his best movie ever, but it showcases his talent for atmospheric storytelling, excellent pacing and crafting memorable settings and scenes. Helped along by a talented cast, most notably Matt Damon, the film ends up being a thought-provoking little drama about an issue with heavy moral and political undertones. A serious film, but not without lighter tones.So what works? The characters, in my opinion. The three main characters, played by Matt Damon, Frances McDormand and John Krasinski, are all unique and interesting individuals, and they showcase excellently the need for layers in good characters. Throughout the movie all three give the impression that they have their own stories outside the happenings of the movie. Stories, which are only hinted at. This creates interest and attachment. All three work off each other beautifully and carry the movie until the very end. Add in a strong supporting cast and I have no complaints whatsoever.Furthermore, the directing is strong. I like Van Sant's way of telling the story without rush or hurry. And yet he doesn't drag his feet either. Rather it's Goldilocks, so to speak.And then, what doesn't work? Well, the only real problem is the writing. This movie is about fracking, the process of pulling natural gas from the ground, but in the process, potentially, ruining the ground itself. As you can probably guess, this is a rather touchy subject and people have complained about the film's unwillingness to pick a side. Personally I can admire its attempt to acknowledge both sides of the debate, but the way this fence-sitting is realized is a bit heavy-handed. The ending solution especially is more than a bit jarring. It has its merits, but I can see why people complain.Still, for the most part even the writing does a credible job, the characters are all interesting, the film looks great and the storytelling is topnotch. Easily recommended if you're looking for a more serious movie experience.