As a seasoned gamer with over two decades under my belt, I’ve seen more than my fair share of stories unfold across various mediums, from the gritty streets of Vice City to the mystical lands of Skyrim. Yet, when it comes to Landman, Taylor Sheridan‘s latest addition to his Paramount collection, I find myself struggling to engage in a meaningful way.
In the latest expansion of Taylor Sheridan’s expanding Paramount portfolio, Landman showcases that, despite the new setting in Texas, he can’t shake off his ingrained patterns of struggle for power and persistent bad habits.
In an informal sense, November is turning into Taylor Sheridan’s month at Paramount. The sequential premiere of Yellowstone Season 5 Part 2, followed by Lioness Season 2 and then Landman, makes one wonder which of Taylor’s stories will emerge victorious in the eyes of the audience.
Landman doesn’t rank as Sheridan’s poorest TV production, but it’s far from his finest achievement. It’s understandable that people might draw comparisons to Yellowstone, given the shift in setting, jobs, and family dynamics. However, even with similar techniques, Landman struggles not to be overshadowed by the Duttons.
Initially, there’s a lot that grabs your attention – an event happens just ten minutes into the first episode – yet, even after watching, neither you nor Landman are quite sure what its ultimate goal is.
What is Landman about?
Billy Bob Thornton plays Tommy Norris, a frequently puzzled yet always sharp-tongued representative of M-TEX Oil’s land department. He makes a living by arranging land contracts with local property owners, which gives his wealthy employer, Monty Miller (who is not fully utilized in the role by Jon Hamm), the opportunity to drill those wells to their maximum potential.
But it’s no easy job. Tommy faces everything from gangs to grieving families in his day-to-day life, all for the preservation of a $4.3 trillion-a-year industry. On top of this, Tommy also has to deal with his interfering family, including a son who wants to follow in his footsteps, a naive teenage daughter, and his minx of an ex-wife.
In the same way that Kevin Costner portrayed John Dutton in Yellowstone, Billy Bob Thornton embodies a weary and seasoned trouble-shooter as Landman. He doesn’t shy away from delivering blunt advice to those around him, even if it might make some uncomfortable. Though his dialogue can be awkward at times, Thornton delivers it with such swagger that it usually comes off as quite appealing.
Although Thornton’s role doesn’t involve a lot of active scenes (many of his moments are spent solo, in a car or on the phone), it’s clear that he plays a crucial part in keeping the show impactful. In a series where oil-industry jargon is abundant and learning curve is steep, Thornton provides the strong foundation needed for viewers to stay engaged.
All pain no gain
So, that’s what Landman is all about…but I guess I should clarify, what exactly is Landman centered around? As Sheridan continues to grow his on-screen world, it seems he isn’t quite able to infuse the same emotional resonance into his other projects as he did with Yellowstone. While the Dutton storyline delves deeply into themes of legacy and family, Landman appears to lack such depth beneath its surface.
It’s quite apparent to me why things aren’t working out: The connections among them feel strained. Tommy’s boy, Cooper (Jacob Lofland), is aspiring to be a landman and has begun his career as a “neophyte” in the oil industry. His daughter Ainsley (Michelle Randolph) has visited to spend some quality moments with her father. Meanwhile, Tommy’s ex, Angela (Ali Larter), seems unwilling to let him go.
This situation opens up room for contemplative reflections on various aspects related to Tommy’s occupation, his family’s perception of him, and the reasons behind Cooper imitating him. However, rather than thought-provoking insights, we encounter confusing interactions that left me astonished.
Daddy issues
As a gamer, I must say that if you’ve watched Yellowstone, you know that the Sheridan family doesn’t shy away from crafting some intense dialogue that can make you squirm, especially when it comes to interactions between parents and kids. One instance that really stands out as incredibly awkward is when Beth tells John that her bridal blush was “lost years ago.” It’s moments like these that add a layer of discomfort to the show’s otherwise gripping narrative.
However, Landman pushes boundaries in an unprecedented manner, as the initial episode is filled with explicit sexual banter between characters Tommy and Ainsley that cannot be repeated due to its graphic nature. This theme persists throughout the episode, and combined with Tommy’s ambiguously flirtatious exchanges with Angela, it creates a palpable unease.
Thornton appears unfazed by it all with an indifferent shrug, as if to say “Well, what can you do?” His blank gaze and slow reaction to Ainsley’s initial shocking disclosure made me chuckle, but this humor aside, another issue arises.
Thornton frequently uses humor to ease tension, and it generally succeeds. However, this method often conflicts with the intense, high-stakes storylines in Landman’s work. While Landman isn’t strictly a dark comedy, the humor is present to such an extent that it becomes challenging for the piece to be viewed as a serious drama.
The movie lacks the necessary excitement for viewers to consider it as casual popcorn entertainment. In the end, repetitive phone conversations, numerous legal issues, and confusing character interactions make it challenging to fully understand the intentions of the protagonist, Landman.
TopMob Review Score: 2/5
As Yellowstone neared its climax, I eagerly anticipated what Sheridan had in store beyond his Duttonverse. Unfortunately, my interest was mainly piqued by unexpected dialogues and an entertaining portrayal by Billy Bob Thornton, rather than the character of Landman as intended.
Don’t get me wrong – it’s hardly boring. Sheridan knows how to entertain. But if Landman could strengthen its own resolve, it might work its way up the ladder and prove to be one of his better shows. But for now, viewers will see it slipping through their grasp like oil: messy, and hard to get a grip on.
Landman Episodes 1 and 2 premiere on November 17 on Paramount+.
*This review is based on Landman Episodes 1-5
Read More
- ACT PREDICTION. ACT cryptocurrency
- W PREDICTION. W cryptocurrency
- PENDLE PREDICTION. PENDLE cryptocurrency
- NBA 2K25 Review: NBA 2K25 review: A small step forward but not a slam dunk
- How to Handle Smurfs in Valorant: A Guide from the Community
- Unlocking Destiny 2: The Hidden Potential of Grand Overture and The Queenbreaker
- ESO Werewolf Build: The Ultimate Guide
- Mastering Destiny 2: Tips for Speedy Grandmaster Challenges
- Rainbow Six Siege directory: Quick links to our tips & guides
- Exploring Izanami’s Lore vs. Game Design in Smite: Reddit Reactions
2024-11-15 11:21