Promised Land

Message films or films whereas certain characters make a stance for something are usually stories that are fraught with issues that can sometimes run the gambit. We've seen a plethora of them: "Silkwood", "Milk", "And the Band Played On", "Mo' Better Blues", "The China Syndrome", even 2012's "Won't Back Down". These films are very important as our culture continually needs to be reminded that there are issues we need to think about. With that thought, we have been offered "Promised Land".

Corporate salesman, Steve Butler (Matt Damon) from Global Corporation, a natural gas company, arrives in a rural town with his sales partner, Sue Thomason (Frances McDormand). With the town having been hit hard by the economic decline of recent years, the two outsiders see the local townsfolk as likely to accept their company's offer, for drilling rights to their properties, as much-needed relief. What seems like an easy job for the duo becomes complicated by the objection of a respected schoolteacher, Frank Yates (Hal Holbrook) with support from a grassroots campaign led by another man, Justin Noble (John Krasinski), from an environmental company, who questions Steve both personally and professionally.

Others to round out the cast are Rosemarie DeWitt as Alice, Scott McNairy as Jeff Dennon, Titus Welliver as Rob, Ken Strunk as Gerry Richards, Tim Guinee as Drew Scott, and Lucas Black as Paul Geary.

This was directed with ease by veteran, Gus Van Sant ("Drugstore Cowboy" '89, "My Own Private Idaho" '91, "Even Cowgirls Get the Blues" '93, "To Die For" '95, "Good Will Hunting" '97, "Psycho" '98, "Finding Forrester" 2000, "Gerry" '02, "Elephant" '03, "Last Days" '05, "Paranoid Park" '07, "Milk" '08, "Restless" '11, "My Own Private River" '12). Van Sant has that uncanny ability to make his actors so 'at ease', that these characteristics shine when you see his films. This was equally written well by John Krasinski and Matt Damon. Damon co-wrote "Good Will Hunting" with his lifelong friend Ben Affleck, so he was really able to prove, once again, that this guy can write. With the exception of the story being a little slow at the beginning, once it got going, it picked up and moved. There's even a nice twist closer to the end which makes it intriguing.

If you're a 'soap box' type of person, no matter which side of the fence you'd be on, you will really be able to sink your teeth into this one. Even if you're not, the fine acting and script, along with some nifty comedy relief, will be enough to keep your attention and then some.

Out of 4 Stars: 3.5                         Rated: R                            106mins.