Promised Land (2013)

Rating: 2.5/5

For once, I knew absolutely nothing about this movie when I walked into the theatre. As the opening credits showed that it was written and produced by and starring Matt Damon, as well as Frances McDormand, I decided something decent must be to follow. I think I was sort-of right. It's hard to tell, as Promised Land's plot development is rather muddy and at times inexplicable. Having read a little more about it now, I believe I can construct something of a worthwhile analysis. 

Damon and McDormand are salespeople for Global Crosspower Solutions, who are patrolling the farming homes of a small Pennsylvania town to obtain the rights to drill for natural gases on the land at little expense to the company. As with any door-to-door sales, this involves a lot of spiel and half-truths, and a lot of ripping off poor innocent people. These people are unfortunately about as aware of the reality of the situation as Global's salespeople, the writers of the screenplay, and ultimately us as an audience.

For anybody who is unaware of the process of 'fracking,' this supposedly insightful or enlightening movie is certainly not the place to find out. I felt lost throughout Promised Land, as it tells us very little about what is going on, and as a result, the plot progression seems at first inexplicable, and later, typical.

This particular Pennsylvania farming town is full of the classic South Park-style hicks you almost expect to drawl "They took aarrr jaaarrrbs!" who serve their obligation to the plot by giving Steve (Damon) a lot of stick and hostility. Then, out of nowhere, a rival from an unheard-of environmental agency appears, who claims that Global's fracking poisons the earth, killing the wildlife and crops. But yet again, this rivalry is ambiguous: no solid information is fed to us, resulting in no clear good guy and bad guy/ right thing and wrong thing. Confusing plot twists detailing this competition make it all the more baffling.

Both Steve and Sue (McDormand) develop some degree of romantic attachment whilst in town, the former seeming very gratuitous and clockwork whilst the latter is engaging, yet disappointingly unfinished.

Despite very dodgy plot and screenwriting, this film can be credited for its captivating landscape shots - of which there are many - and good performances. Damon is a strong lead, giving the right dose of presence and personality to his character; McDormand as Sue is as fantastic as ever, frequently contributing her maternal omniscience and sagely tell-offs and raised eyebrows.

Promised Land is being met with accusations of propaganda, and it certainly has a feel of cynical, obligatory morality about it, while still projecting an unclear image of what its morals actually are.