Michael's Movie Review
My movie recommendation for today is Promised Land, starring Matt Damon, John Krasinski, Frances McDormand, and Hal Holbrook. Directed by Gus Van Sant, it is a very well-made film with excellent writing, beautiful cinematography, and top-notch acting from the entire cast. What I found interesting is that the two lead actors, Damon and Krasinski, also wrote the screenplay. Perhaps for this reason they were more invested in perfecting their roles since they had written those very roles. Whatever the case, their performances were superb.
The plot revolves around the controversial issue of fracking. Matt Damon plays a corporate salesman who goes to the small fictional town of McKinley to convince the townspeople to let the corporation hydrofrack for natural gas that lies under the town and the outlying farms. He and his partner (played by Frances) meet intense resistance from the local high school science teacher (played by Hal Holbrook) and from a very charismatic environmentalist (played by John Krasinski). The ensuing interplay between Damon and Krasinski is what makes the movie so compelling. It takes the movie beyond the fracking controversy into profound insight into human behavior.
It's hard to talk about this movie without being a spoiler so I'll let you find out how the confrontations are resolved. No matter what side of the fence you are on in regard to the fracking controversy, this movie is for you because it clearly delineates the pros and cons of both sides and helps bring our understanding to a deeper level.
For me, one of the main elements of the film was the town and townspeople of McKinley. It was a small mostly farming community and I couldn't help thinking about McCook. Seeing how the people of McKinley reacted to controversy I couldn't help but wonder how the people of McCook would react in a similar situation. There was a strong message about community in this film and that is one reason I think everyone in McCook should see it. The town of McKinley was facing a lot of issues in addition to fracking and a lot of those issues we also face here in McCook.
I think most everyone will enjoy this movie and come away from it feeling good and with an optimism for the future and a deepened sense of community.
This movie is available to rent from Movie House, 220 West 1st in downtown McCook. 345-6000. Visit and like the Movie House Facebook Page
The plot revolves around the controversial issue of fracking. Matt Damon plays a corporate salesman who goes to the small fictional town of McKinley to convince the townspeople to let the corporation hydrofrack for natural gas that lies under the town and the outlying farms. He and his partner (played by Frances) meet intense resistance from the local high school science teacher (played by Hal Holbrook) and from a very charismatic environmentalist (played by John Krasinski). The ensuing interplay between Damon and Krasinski is what makes the movie so compelling. It takes the movie beyond the fracking controversy into profound insight into human behavior.
It's hard to talk about this movie without being a spoiler so I'll let you find out how the confrontations are resolved. No matter what side of the fence you are on in regard to the fracking controversy, this movie is for you because it clearly delineates the pros and cons of both sides and helps bring our understanding to a deeper level.
For me, one of the main elements of the film was the town and townspeople of McKinley. It was a small mostly farming community and I couldn't help thinking about McCook. Seeing how the people of McKinley reacted to controversy I couldn't help but wonder how the people of McCook would react in a similar situation. There was a strong message about community in this film and that is one reason I think everyone in McCook should see it. The town of McKinley was facing a lot of issues in addition to fracking and a lot of those issues we also face here in McCook.
I think most everyone will enjoy this movie and come away from it feeling good and with an optimism for the future and a deepened sense of community.
This movie is available to rent from Movie House, 220 West 1st in downtown McCook. 345-6000. Visit and like the Movie House Facebook Page
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