Review of Gasland (2010) by Omar L — 14 Feb 2011

This is the documentary that you need to watch. It's not the best film as far as its editing and film making techniques are concerned, but its message more than makes up for it. Gasland tells a very real story of a grave injustice that is taking place right in our backyards. Our filmmaker Josh Fox receives a lucrative offer from those that wish to drill for natural gas on his land. He decides to investigate and what he finds is astonishing and terrifying as he travels the country and talks with everyday Americans like you and me.

Our water is being poisoned by all the chemicals that are used to drill. The streams, wells, and other bodies of water that was safe to drink for thousands of years are no longer safe to even smell let alone drink. The film opens up with a scene from a congressional hearing where the heads of several of these drilling companies are called to testify. They claim that the drilling causes no environmental hazards, but the evidence is abundantly clear. When you can light water on fire that's coming from a faucet and animals are losing hair and people are dying you know there's no coincidences. Fox takes a page from Michael Moore's book and adds plenty of humor which works very well throughout the film, but unlike Moore you can tell this story is deeply personal to him and he explains this through key narration that is very emotional.

Gasland is nominated for best documentary this year at the Oscars and although I believe the excellent war documentary Restrepo is more engaging and more entertaining I'd have to say Gasland is the more important film to watch. 10/10 from me.