Promised Land Reviews

The film never makes a convincing argument against fracking, probably because it's too busy being cloying.

Full Review | Original Score: C

Promised Land is high-minded material - but makes for a flaccid viewing experience.

Full Review | Original Score: 2.5/5

The film wants to be meaningful, wants to have topical significance and emotional heft, but it arrives mostly empty, and in a year filled with great and memorable films, Promised Land is not worth anyone's attention.

Full Review | Original Score: 5/10

"Promised Land" ends up being about two-thirds of a decent film, despite having problems with its characters. Had there been a little more thought put into the ending, perhaps it would have been more satisfying.

Full Review | Original Score: 2.5/4

Lacking confidence that these didactic speeches will drive its message home, the film throws in a paranoid plot twist from which it never recovers.

Full Review | Original Score: 2/4

Van Sant is no Frank Capra, so why is he trying so hard to be?

Full Review | Original Score: 1/5

Just as underhanded as the soulless corporations it's taking to task.

Full Review | Original Score: 1/5

Promised Land attempts to present both sides of the argument while ultimately falling decidedly on the side of anti-corporatization.

Full Review | Original Score: 6.5/10

'You can't make natural gas from shale without fracking' doesn't quite have the same ring to it as 'You can't start a fire without a spark'.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5

It's as if the people behind Promised Land only agreed to make the movie if there was an unambiguous "policy statement" at the end, and that's what we're subjected to.

Full Review | Original Score: 2/4

While there's no faulting the talent or good intentions of the people involved, however, they make the mistake of leaving out the spoonful of sugar, which makes the medicine get stuck in your throat. It's all message and very little movie.

Full Review

The script is unconvincing; two key narrative twists, one related to the other, are deeply hokey.

Full Review | Original Score: 2/4

Timely topic. Likable cast. But this frack-attack drama never fully finds its footing. As pleasant as it is forgettable.

Full Review | Original Score: B-

This is one of those impassioned message movies that makes its point early on, then beats you over the head with it, haphazardly acknowledging the shades of grey without admitting they have any validity.

Full Review | Original Score: 2.5/4

A dishonest film about duplicity.

Full Review | Original Score: 4

"Promised Land" will probably play best with those invested in the script's political and social issues, while others may simply dismiss this as a well-meaning message movie.

Full Review

Promised Land is no Good Will Hunting (1997). It brings back director Gus Van Sant and actor Matt Damon, but it's another example of you can't go home again.

Full Review | Original Score: 2.0/5

Promised Land wears its ideology on its sleeve, along with its hackneyed plot twists and wholly unbelievable characters.

Full Review | Original Score: 1.5/4

I really don't know what this movie is trying to say.

Full Review | Original Score: 2/5

underwhelming at best

Full Review | Original Score: 2.5/5