Review of Promised Land (2012) by Eric G — 01 May 2013

Promised Land is a film with a conscience, and deserves to be seen. But unlike Erin Brockovich which was hitting hard, dramatic and funny at the same time, it lacks the punch, rhythm and the guts to make an impact and send a clear message.

It's quite surprising for a film produced and played by Matt Damon, a man known to embrace causes. This is a classic story of big business, environment and the land (in this case for the extraction of gas through the controversial technique called fracking) and poor rural people in the US.

It's a subtle (too much?) film that doesn't really take side and requires a very good knowledge of American values, particularly in order to understand the reaction of Matt Damon. It's well acted, especially Damon, Frances McDormand and Hal Holbrook.

The story is interesting and very topical. It could have been a landmark film, instead it's a watchable film but doesn't deliver the full promise.