Promised Land (2012)

A salesman for a natural gas company experiences life-changing events after arriving in a small town, where his corporation wants to tap into the available resources.

Director:

Gus Van Sant

Writers:

John Krasinski (screenplay), Matt Damon (screenplay),

Stars:

Matt Damon, Hal Holbrook, Frances McDormand

3 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Matt Damon	...	Steve Butler
Benjamin Sheeler	...	Attendant
Terry Kinney	...	David Churchill
Carla Bianco	...	Waitress
Joe Coyle	...	Michael Downey
Hal Holbrook	...	Frank Yates
Dorothy Silver	...	Arlene
Frances McDormand	...	Sue Thomason
Titus Welliver	...	Rob
Lexi Cowan	...	Drew's Girl
Tim Guinee	...	Drew Scott
Sara Lindsey	...	Claire Allen
Frank Conforti	...	Coach
Garrett Ashbaugh	...	Basketball Player
Jericho Morgan	...	Jericho

Storyline

Corporate salesman Steve Butler (Damon) arrives in a rural town with his sales partner, Sue Thomason (McDormand). With the town having been hit hard by the economic decline of recent years, the two outsiders see the local citizens as likely to accept their company's offer, for drilling rights to their properties, as much-needed relief. What seems like an easy job for the duo becomes complicated by the objection of a respected schoolteacher (Holbrook) with support from a grassroots campaign led by another man (Krasinski) who counters Steve both personally and professionally.

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Taglines:

What's your price?

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Genres:

Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official site

Country:

USA United Arab Emirates

Language:

English

Release Date:

4 January 2013 (USA)

Also Known As:

Terra Prometida

Filming Locations:

Baruch College, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$173,915 (USA) (28 December 2012)

Gross:

$7,556,708 (USA) (18 January 2013)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Focus Features, Imagenation Abu Dhabi FZ, Participant Media

Technical Specs

Runtime:

106 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital Datasat

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This is the second film co-starring John Krasinski with the major contribution by writer David Eggers. Eggers who also wrote 2006 Away We Go which also starred Krasinski.

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Goofs

In the first meeting in the school gym, the coach says that the basketball team is getting ready for regionals. Yet it is clearly summertime and not February, when this would be happening. Three week later, the basketball team is playing a game and all the plants are green and the trees have leaves.

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Crazy Credits

Through most of the end credits, the camera zooms out to a wide shot of the town where the film takes place.

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Connections

Featured in The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Episode #21.54 (2012)

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Soundtracks

"Jewel of June"
Written by Kenneth Pattengale and Joseph Edward Ryan
Performed by The Milk Carton Kids
Courtesy of Anti-

User Reviews

Excellent Film Will Enjoy Repeat Viewings - Much to Ponder

It's an amazing work of excellent production values from cinematography, script(Academy Award worthy), music and especially the acting (Frances McDormand, Academy Award worthy). It's a new genre of storytelling that some may find hard to define. I believe this film is ahead of its time and will enjoy multiple viewings. This is a slow-paced story that requires a personal investment while it gives its audience time to consider a host of situations only to be surprised when it defies conventional outcomes. This is an important and entertaining film to experience. It's most certainly worth putting high on your movie-going list.

This slow-burn of a contemporary story appears simple upon viewing, yet is very rewarding when considering the breadth of complexities it features which define today's popular culture. ~ e