Review of Promised Land (2012) by Steven B — 14 Jan 2013

I had high hopes for this, and so did the rest of the Old Geezers Who Go To The Matinee Alone crowd, at least judging by the two who sat behind me and swooned at Matt Damon. But alas what the first part of the movie promised the end failed to endorse the check. A good deal of the movie was really good in a laid back manner, but in the end if let me down.

The movie is about an energy company attempting to get fracking leases in a small farming community. Damon is the guy trying to make it happen and John Krasinski plays the rabid environmentalist trying to stop him. I won't do a spoiler here, but it really disappointed me.

Good character work by Frances McDormand and especially Rosemarie DeWitt who shows up in small roles from time to time, but really deserves better and she's terrific as the love interest here. I'd say go to this for a 'slice of life' type movie, no violence and only inferred sex. Too bad the topic deserved better treatment.