The issue of "fracking"(or hydraulic fracturing) is a pretty big environmental concern that is effecting millions of people right now, but does it make for a compelling, dramatic feature film? Matt Damon, John Krasinski, and Gus Van Sant certainly hope so, and that their new film Promised Land can catch the public eye in an Erin Brockovich sort of way.
The first trailer for Promised Land has been released, and right now it's hard to gauge just how much attention it will gain this awards season. Initially set to be Damon's directorial debut, he handed the gig over to Van Sant but still co-wrote the script with Krasinski, based on an idea by Dave Eggers(Away We Go). Damon and Frances McDormand play big city corporate salespeople who attempt to take advantage of a small town crushed by economic hardship by convincing them to sell over oil drilling rights. They face an uproar of protest from some of the local citizens, led by Krasinski and the great Hal Holbrook. The trailer is solid enough, and I can see them reaching for a Capra-esque sort of vibe, but it also looks a tad preachy. The rest of the supporting cast is solid with Scoot McNairy and Rosemarie DeWitt, so the overall ensemble is probably what will put this over the top.
Promised Land opens in limited release on December 28th before expanding the following month. Check out the trailer below....[MSN]
