In Promised Land, Director Gus Van Sant
and Writers/Actors Matt Damon and John Krasinski harken back to the social
consciousness films of the ‘30s and ‘40s as they take on the controversial gas-drilling
practice known as “fracking.”
This is an excellently told tale of economic need that
creates the struggle between greed and integrity.
The film moves smoothly and, often, delightfully with
superb performances by Matt Damon, John Krasinski, Hal Holbrook, Frances
McDormand and Rosemarie DeWitt surrounded by pristine America as the town
depicted decides on whether to let fracking take place.
The issue is important and, having sat in on both
industry and environmental activist talks, as well as having studied the practice, I can
attest to the fact the filmmakers are more than fair in depicting what is
taking place in the real world.
Without giving away the plot, the most telling comment is
made by a key character, when she says, “It’s just a job.” It’s the takeaway I had after hearing
well-coifed, well-dressed industry types parsing the truth, when fielding
questions from concerned citizens. They
were no different from the “good soldiers” at Auschwitz, who turned the gas nozzles
because it was “just a job.”
Hopefully, there are enough politicians with sufficient integrity
to turn down the payoffs and push for proper regulation of this important, but,
currently, environmentally dangerous industry, as well as more enlightened media
reporters, who will bring the issue of creating proper rules to the forefront.
As a film entertainment, alone, I give Promised
Land a 4 out of 5, but for focusing light on an important American
issue, its story deserves a 5.