seraphael-60235 Excellent movie that offers a realistic look into the world of corporate tactics and behavioral manipulation of the masses. It would seem that the focus was to engage the viewers with the hopes of opening eyes and taking the blinders off. This movie isn't a cheesy film with fight scenes, sex, or cheap thrills but instead offers depth. I can only guess that many of these reviews are from fracking organizations to keep this movie from getting the attention it deserves.

The Couchpotatoes 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.

sesht (Did not post this when I watched it last year) Another in-flight entertainment, with a 'too-pat' on-the-nose obvious title (not necessarily a bad thing).Promised Land - Gus Van Sant. Matt Damon. Frances 'Fargo' 'Burn after reading' McDormand. Rosemarie 'Your sister's sister' DeWitt. John 'The (US) Office' Krasinski. Hal 'All the president's men' Holbrook.A piece of trivia that interested me - Krasinski and Damon even share screenplay credit, and it was once supposed to be Damon's directorial debut. If it had been, it would've been clear that Affleck picks them way better than Damon does, though Damon's raking it all in for now.....Matt Damon seems to be wearing his politics on his sleeve these days. With this and 'Elysium', it will be no wonder if he's berated by the conservatives. Set in rural farmland being targeted for gas drilling, Damon plays the sales veep for one such entity who's being thwarted at the game by a spokesman for an environmental agency. Who makes it? Why the interest? Why the focus on this small town? Why gas and not other elements of climate change? I did not get answers to most, but was not dissatisfied either. Little elements like the initial conversation between the town rep and Damon's character in a bar prior to the town hall meeting the next day, trying to emotionally influence an Afghan war vet who's the guardian of his dead vet bro's son, a bar brawl that doesn't conform to expectations - there are a few more such moments that drew me in.I found the movie and its twists decent and engaging, but bereft of emotional heft that could secure more buy-in from me as an audience-member. Matt's playing the bad guy everyman, but his performance still resonates, like it always has, and we still end up rooting for him, not to win, but for eventual redemption, even it needs convenient contrivances. However, his path, and what happens to him is not all straightforward, and credit needs to be given for that. I can watch DeWitt in anything, but having her character in the movie was a major distraction that the plot did not need at all, as it is with love-interests in movies these days. Other than that, and a few other missteps like not completely developing the relationship between McDormand and Titus 'Gone baby gone' 'The town' Welliver's characters, this movie gets everything else right, and can be watched once. Not a completely missed opportunity.

Anssi Vartiainen 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.