Greetings again from the darkness. On paper, a story about a controversial environmental issue (fracking for natural gas) presented by a respected director (Gus Van Sant) and featuring a strong cast (Matt Damon, John Krasinski, Frances McDormand, Rosemarie DeWitt, Hal Holbrook) would be a welcome cinematic contribution, despite an expected slant to the story-telling. Most of us enjoy, or at least accept, a well presented argument that brings light and substance to one side of the controversial issue. What no one appreciates is having their time wasted
which is exactly what this ridiculous movie does.
Fluff is fluff, regardless of the subject matter that acts as a backdrop. Matt Damon and John Krasinski combined to write the screenplay based on a story by Dave Eggers. The screenplay is simple-minded, uninformed and amateurish. Did they do any research? It seems more likely they got together a couple of times, sipped a few imports, and threw together an outline. If they had then turned that outline over to a REAL writer, the ensuing mess of a movie could have been avoided. Instead, they somehow tricked Gus Van Sant into becoming the director. This process worked just fine 15 years ago when Ben Affleck collaborated with Damon and Van Sant for the excellent Good Will Hunting. That film shouldn't even be tarnished by mentioning it here.
There is no shortage of articles available with actual facts on the companies and process involved with natural gas fracking. In 2010, Josh Fox even put together "GasLand", a very effective documentary on the subject. So, the idea of formulating a Hollywood dramatic version makes sense. Matt Damon's name alone ensures better exposure in one week than Mr. Fox' film has had in two plus years. What doesn't make sense is a version that is so lightweight and lacking in details, that a convoluted, half-assed love triangle steals the spotlight off what should be the real story.
What is the real story? A fictional $9 billion company with the generic name Global Crosspower Solutions sends their crack closing team of Steve Butler (Damon) and Sue Thomason (McDormand) into rural Pennsylvania to buy up the land leases from the area's struggling farmers. Somehow we are supposed to believe that Steve, this hotshot rising star, makes two blunders in the first couple of days – allowing the town to vote, and getting blackout drunk in the only town bar. Then, this brilliant executive totally loses his equilibrium when a small time environmentalist (Krasinski) shows up and starts charming the locals with his terror stories of fracking.
Steve walks around telling people "I'm not a bad guy", McDormand shakes her head at him and says "It's just a job", and Krasinski buddies up with everyone including local school teacher Rosemarie DeWitt, on whom Damon has a bit of a crush. One of the more ridiculous bits is that Damon's character supposedly grew up in a farm community just like this and saw it shrivel up when the factory closed. He is probably the only guy to ever grow up on a farm who can't drive a stickshift and has to be chauffeured around by McDormand. As if all of that isn't ridiculous and lame enough, here comes the most absurd movie twist of all time. Since the first 2/3 of the movie lacks any sense of realism, the twist is not surprising, but rather just plain ludicrous. It's a cheap writing device.
As for positives, it's always a joy to watch 88 year old Hal Holbrook on screen. More attention to his character could have saved the movie he is far and away the most intelligent and interesting character. Also, Damon's character goes on a heartfelt rant towards some drunken rednecks. It's his only scene that works and ends, logically, with a punch to nose. Titus Welliver, Scoot McNairy and Lucas Black all have moments of support that deserve a better movie. The same can't be said for Damon, Krasinski and Van Sant the blame and embarrassment falls at your feet, gentleman.
Fluff is fluff, regardless of the subject matter that acts as a backdrop. Matt Damon and John Krasinski combined to write the screenplay based on a story by Dave Eggers. The screenplay is simple-minded, uninformed and amateurish. Did they do any research? It seems more likely they got together a couple of times, sipped a few imports, and threw together an outline. If they had then turned that outline over to a REAL writer, the ensuing mess of a movie could have been avoided. Instead, they somehow tricked Gus Van Sant into becoming the director. This process worked just fine 15 years ago when Ben Affleck collaborated with Damon and Van Sant for the excellent Good Will Hunting. That film shouldn't even be tarnished by mentioning it here.
There is no shortage of articles available with actual facts on the companies and process involved with natural gas fracking. In 2010, Josh Fox even put together "GasLand", a very effective documentary on the subject. So, the idea of formulating a Hollywood dramatic version makes sense. Matt Damon's name alone ensures better exposure in one week than Mr. Fox' film has had in two plus years. What doesn't make sense is a version that is so lightweight and lacking in details, that a convoluted, half-assed love triangle steals the spotlight off what should be the real story.
What is the real story? A fictional $9 billion company with the generic name Global Crosspower Solutions sends their crack closing team of Steve Butler (Damon) and Sue Thomason (McDormand) into rural Pennsylvania to buy up the land leases from the area's struggling farmers. Somehow we are supposed to believe that Steve, this hotshot rising star, makes two blunders in the first couple of days – allowing the town to vote, and getting blackout drunk in the only town bar. Then, this brilliant executive totally loses his equilibrium when a small time environmentalist (Krasinski) shows up and starts charming the locals with his terror stories of fracking.
Steve walks around telling people "I'm not a bad guy", McDormand shakes her head at him and says "It's just a job", and Krasinski buddies up with everyone including local school teacher Rosemarie DeWitt, on whom Damon has a bit of a crush. One of the more ridiculous bits is that Damon's character supposedly grew up in a farm community just like this and saw it shrivel up when the factory closed. He is probably the only guy to ever grow up on a farm who can't drive a stickshift and has to be chauffeured around by McDormand. As if all of that isn't ridiculous and lame enough, here comes the most absurd movie twist of all time. Since the first 2/3 of the movie lacks any sense of realism, the twist is not surprising, but rather just plain ludicrous. It's a cheap writing device.
As for positives, it's always a joy to watch 88 year old Hal Holbrook on screen. More attention to his character could have saved the movie he is far and away the most intelligent and interesting character. Also, Damon's character goes on a heartfelt rant towards some drunken rednecks. It's his only scene that works and ends, logically, with a punch to nose. Titus Welliver, Scoot McNairy and Lucas Black all have moments of support that deserve a better movie. The same can't be said for Damon, Krasinski and Van Sant the blame and embarrassment falls at your feet, gentleman.