Landman
Since bursting onto the scene in 2015 with his movie Sicario, Taylor Sheridan’s writing has gone from strength to strength, success to success, with his most recent peak being the award-winning Yellowstone franchise. Landman is his latest and only series of 2024, and much like a large portion of his other work, takes place deep in the heart of Texas, with his characters roaming the open plains in their pursuit of glory in the world of oil.
With Billy Bob Thornton at the helm, supported by stars such as John Hamm and Demi Moore, the premise of Landman initially appears a promising one. The series sees a collection of dreamers, roughnecks and billionaires try to get rich quick in the oil business as rigs begin to dominate the state and promise golden salvation for those brave enough to seek it. A man with a knowledge of the industry and an eye for a deal, crisis executive Tommy Norris (Thornton) drives the terrain of this modern-day oil rush like a king, mostly putting out metaphorical and physical fires, while also trying to keep his relationships, and sanity, in one piece as he tries to bring his company to the top during a fuelling boom.
You will struggle to find more perfect casting than Thornton for the role of Tommy, stringing a series of poetic monologues together and providing enough dynamism and wit to carry the story on his own. Tommy is a man from another era, yet concurrently in tune with his present surroundings, and much like his previous performance in the Fargo television series, Thornton looks like he was born to play the role. Other supporting characters pop in and out to play their part, although the likes of Hamm seem underused in the earlier episodes, communicating with Tommy only through the phone as the alternative side of the oil business.
The plot is entertaining as far as the intellect and comedy goes, but when it comes to drama, this rig runs a little dry. There are moments that will leave you shocked and even wincing, but in true Sheridan fashion, the pacing of the series is unhurried and takes some time to get used to. This is an acquired taste as always, but for many fans of his work, it is a ride worth investing in.
The show takes advantage of the lonely Texan landscapes and the stereotypical scenery, making for a dramatic stage for the events of the plot to unravel in. The soundtrack is a little left field, with a score composed by Andrew Lockington lining up alongside some twangy modern country music, which breaks the drama uncomfortably.
If you are a fan of Sheridan’s previous work, you’ll have no problem warming to this greasy series. If you are new to the game, don your Stetson, crack open a beer, chain smoke a pack of cigarettes and you’ll feel right at home with Landman…eventually.
Guy Lambert
Landman is released on Paramount+ on 18th November 2024.
Watch the trailer for Landman here:
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