So, Matt and Frances are land men assigned to a small farming town to buy leases and lock the area down for big-time "Global" who has found massive natural gas reserves in the shale in the area. Damon makes great inroads convincing the town into going-in with them until a high school science teacher and a lone stranger and environmentalist appears with shocking photos, stories of fracking doom in Louisiana, and posters suitable for framing. This Big Erl vs. Big Enviro conflict comes together in a slow tango and creates a moral dilemma for Damon.The film was shot on a shoe-string and directed by Gus Van Sant. With Van Sant's and Damon's name on the bill it shouldn't be a surprise this is NOT in favor of Big Erl. It is a close-up look at a small community faced with riches or ravage being the veneer for a strong environmentalist view.
This is not a compelling film and, with its budget, probably wasn't meant to be. It was a slow motion PSA about the evils of Big Erl.
I suggest waiting for the DVD.
Edits: 01/04/13
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Topic - 'Promised Land': Land Man's Dilemma . . . - mr grits 15:03:46 01/04/13 (0)