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It's complicated... I really like the directing, acting and writing but, there are issues with the way it's shot that I just can't deny. As much as I love the storytelling and the fantastic performance but, there are also certain scenes that didn't need to exist.

It's hard to see any effort in the film. There's no comedy to speak of, no real drama and, worst of all.

It is a whirlwind of delight --- attractive actors, stunning couture, spectacular sets and outrageous parties.

Great story, amazing characters, superb action, enthralling cinematography. Yes, this is something I am glad I spent money on.

I haven't seen a movie for a while, that would be so honest and deep in so many levels, as this one. I was surprised to see such low grades on it, when everything and everyone in it, are just brilliant. Matt Damon, superb as always, Frances the same, dialogs are good and witty, scenery and message of the movie is touching. Its a crazy thing, where this world is going...We are losing everything and still nobody cares about all that, when the right amount is offered. Yes, there is money in our land, its in the gas or oil, or something else, but when this money is spent, what is there left?what will we eat and where will we live?...Its a scary thought and a scary future, that will happen, whether we like it or not.There isn't a lot of Matt Damons out there that could stop it happen and even he wasn't able to... I will be thinking about this movie and its message for a very long time..

This film had so much promise but it was so full of predictable, one dimensional characters and story lines that I just couldn't get into it. I was so disappointed at the ending. It was unrealistic and very typical of Hollywood, feel good endings. "The conflicted bad guy ends up doing the right thing in the end". blah, blah, blah. A much better ending would have been for the writer and director to trust the viewer to resolve the underlying conflicts personally. Would a Rep from a global energy company really do the right thing? HELL NO! Yet we were cheated of realism because we are too fragile to come to grips with that fact and we will be much happier if we are lied to and led to believe there is good in the world. Even worse, how many more times can screenwriters get away with filling 20 minutes of a film with a cliché "guy from out of town meets a cute, honorable girl in the local bar and she becomes an integral part of his life" story??? The entire creative team missed a huge opportunity on this one. What a disappointment. I am glad I didn't pay to watch this film.

The movie is filmed in heartbreakingly beautiful rural Pennsylvania. A charming salesman Steve Butler/Matt Damon tries to convince the people sign over the natural gas fracking rights to their properties. It is like a tug of war, where each side in the conflict gains a temporary small advantage. Each side gets to pitch their side with conviction. There almost no hard information about fracking, but there is lots of emotion for both sides. It is "fuck you" greed vs nostalgia for an inevitably dying rural lifestyle. The movie never takes the environmental case seriously, but it turns out there is a reason you can forgive them that. The case for preservation is made mostly visually where the camera does time lapse or panning shots over the amazing landscapes. The rest is sentimental hokum.You watch Steve gradually become more and more disillusioned with what he has been doing. The movie builds to the climax when Steve tells all to a big audience.The main thing that did not work for me is the immaculate giant white homes with manicured lawns even single people live in, yet they are all supposed be on the edge of bankruptcy. The other is the witty small town bar banter. In reality, it would be much much more dumbed down.

On first look, Promised Land seems to be an environmental film that has some sort of agenda. But if you dig deeper, it's more than that. It bring to light the issues of fracking and how American small towns are living in the past(which is a very good thing.) That being said, this is a good film that has a rather straightforward narrative, great acting, a solid script, and even a few unexpected twists and turns.Gus Van Sant, who reunites with Matt Damon, directs a film about two corporate people whom are employees of Global. They travel to a small, but economically struggling Pennsylvania town where they attempt to buy drilling rights from the citizens.The acting is the highlight of the film. This can be characterized as a character study mainly on Matt Damon's character, Steve Butler. We see what changes Butler goes through during the film and how it changes the kind of person he is. Damon himself is a very good actor and he does well here. Frances McDormand is also really good as Damon's partner. John Krasinski, who co-wrote the script, is wonderful as Damon's rival.Overall, Promised Land turns out to be a good movie. It's not entertaining as it could have been, but it brings across some serious environmental issues. Story-wise, I felt like this film could have used more romance between Damon and Rosemarie DeWitt's character, since the one we got felt off. But other than that, this happens to be a solid film. I rate this film 8/10.