WITH this entertaining message film about two antagonistic land-use issues, the creative combination of Matt Damon (writing and acting) and Gus van Sant (directing) does it again.

Coal seam gas is an alternative source of fossil fuel energy to the planet’s dwindling supply of petroleum. But the fracking extraction process contaminates the water table and its essential role in feeding and watering people.

Damon plays Steve, a front man for Global Energy who, with colleague Sue (Frances McDormand), comes to Millers Falls with well-honed arguments persuading farmers to sell rural land for CSG extraction despite history of family ownership.

Retired scientist Frank (Hal Holbrook), teaching at the local high school for love of pedagogy, confronts Global with proven research data. Environmentalist Dustin (John Krasinski who co-wrote the screenplay) arrives to put the anti-fracking argument. Teacher Alice (Rosemary de Witt) provides a charming diversion between the two men.

Democracy must resolve the dilemma. Edibles or energy? So far, no workable resolution has emerged anywhere.

Generating tensions and conflicts that weave the elements of the issue among local politics and lifestyle in that kind of community, “Promised Land” maintains a firm grip on its message with a comfortable ambience that serves opposing causes equally while rewarding the film-goer with a sense of being true to them both. I liked it. So might you, whatever side of the argument you favour.

At Palace Electric