A salesman for a natural gas company experiences life-changing events after arriving in a small town, where his corporation wants to tap into the available resources.
It's hard to shake a niggling feeling that by shying away from an in-depth investigation of the issue, Van Sant and co have missed an opportunity.
Rather preachy.
Another charming take on a familiar scenario: Northern Exposure with Jason Bourne. Which is a backhanded way of saying this is far from the challenging movie it promised to be.
The only interesting nuance here is Damon's mounting self-doubt as the proselytiser for natural gas.
There is a strong echo of Local Hero in a film that shows a good deal of respect for the landscape and people of the American heartland.
Preachy drama.
The worst kind of cinematic preaching.
It ambles along, stopping to take in the scenery, and devoting much of its running time to Damon's flirtation with Rosemarie DeWitt, one of those attractive yet conveniently single teachers who crop up in every film and TV series about a city slicker visiting the sticks. No story of impossible choices in a ruined economy should be quite as mellow as this.
There are some good scenes early on, and the conflict at the centre is real. But it's sentimental, Capraesque fare, predictable both in the way a retired scientist (Hal Holbrook) turned high-school teacher rallies the town, and the ease with which Butler gets in touch with his better self through his contact with these honest folk and turns on his ruthless employers.
It’s more middle of the road than transcendent, but Promised Land offers a quietly engaging and even-handed look at a controversial issue.
General release. Check local listings for show times.
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