Promised Land

Matt Damon reteams with Gus Van Sant, this time partnering with pal John Krasinski in writing a simple Brockovitchian tale about corporate greed destroying small towns. It's a noble effort on their part, and has plenty of character development, but it is a bit unsatisfying in its ending, despite a small unexpected turn.

Damon is a newly appointed executive for a multi-billion dollar energy company, and he's sent to a small town in the Midwest to lease land for fracking, or using high pressure water to break up rock underground and release gas deposits. An environmentally concerned Krasinski shows up with his own agenda and puts Damon's efforts at risk once the townfolk are given the information that might sway their otherwise obvious decision to accept the lease money.

Damon is no Will Hunting, and Krasinski is no Affleck. The lack of Bostonian influence almost seems blasphemous, and the story is unoriginal, and intentionally unsatisfying, which is the most unsatisfying thing about it. Ponderous ethical dilemmas and the David and Goliath hopelessness are themes that are a bit too pervasive in this otherwise quaint film about relationships.

Driven mostly by Americana scenic beauty and witty dialogue, Van Sant is obviously doing Damon a favor, and this is clearly a passion of both he and Krasinski.

There are cliche characters, such as the gorgeous single schoolteacher who is just a bit too sophisticated to be living in the town, played by Rosemarie DeWitt, who I find incredibly attractive in that Lauren Graham/Mary Louise Parker kind of way. Then there's Hal Holbrook, a high school science teacher who is far too educated with engineering PhD's and an aerospace career behind him. He's the voice of intelligence for the town, and they seem to rally behind his "googling" efforts. There's Lucas Black, who plays ignorant redneck better than about anyone around, and he plays... the ignorant redneck who you just have a soft spot for because he's just so clueless. Finally, there's one of my favorite character actors; Titus Welliver who is the guy who owns the local gas/gun/guitar/grocery store and who doesn't quite fit in with the rest of his townies.

The bright spot falls on Frances McDormand, who is endearing and witty as always. She's Damon's assistant who seems to be more qualified and professional than he is, but who is loyal and supportive, even when the chips are down.

The problem with this film is that none of the relationships really go anywhere, and none of the characters ever really develop, save Damon. He puts himself into the limelight, and we see his confidence fade in lieu of a change of conscience, but for him to be a hotshot executive in a new position of power, I just had a hard time believing that he never had all the information in the first place, or could have as much of a conscience as he does considering what he does for a living.

The intent is great, and the message is clear. Unfortunately, this would make a better PSA than a film. I just didn't feel invested and maybe that's the pessimist in me, but it was just kind of a fizzle.

Don't expect to be wowed on this one. It's We Bought a Zoo Matt Damon, not Jason Bourne or Will Hunting. Krasinski's character is weakly established, and the more I think about it, the less important any of the supporting cast seem to be. With the exception of McDormand. I see this as an Oscar hopeful from Damon/Krasinski/Van Sant's eyes, but it will unfortunately come up short of a single nomination. It won two prizes at the National Board of Review Awards including the coveted "Freedom of Expression" award. That's about all it deserves. 5/10.