Land of Plenty (2004)

User Rating:

6.5/10   

Director:

Wim Wenders

Writers:

Wim Wenders (story) &
Scott Derrickson (story) ...

Release Date:

10 September 2004 (Italy)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

A drama that investigates anxiety and disillusionment in America.

Plot Keywords:

Los Angeles | Disillusionment | Vigilante | Peace Activist | The 911 Effect

Awards:

1 win & 3 nominations

Cast

Michelle Williams	...	Lana
John Diehl	...	Paul
Shaun Toub	...	Hassan
Wendell Pierce	...	Henry
Richard Edson	...	Jimmy
Burt Young	...	Sherman
Yuri Elvin	...	Officer Elvin (as Yuri Z. Elvin)
Jeris Poindexter	...	Charles (as Jeris Lee Poindexter)
Rhonda Stubbins White	...	Dee Dee
Victoria Thomas	...	News Reporter
Matthew Kimbrough	...	News Anchor
Paul West	...	Policeman
Jeffrey Vincent Parise	...	Coroner's Assistant (as Jeff Parise)
Christa Lang	...	Trailer Park Woman
Warren Stearns	...	Mortician

Also Known As:

Angst and Alienation in America (USA) (working title)
Untitled Wim Wenders Project (USA) (working title)

Runtime:

123 min

Country:

USA | Germany | Canada

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Australia:M | Slovakia:12 | Finland:K-11 | South Korea:12 | Brazil:12 | Germany:12 | Italy:T | Netherlands:16 | Portugal:M/12 | Singapore:NC-16 | Switzerland:10 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:10 (canton of Vaud)

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Emotion Pictures

Trivia:

Bill Pullman was considered for the part of Paul.

Quotes:

Paul: They're trying to destroy our country. They're trying to infect us. I'm not going to let them.

Movie Connections:

References The Million Dollar Hotel (2000)

Soundtrack:

The Beautiful Occupation

genius

I saw this film at a pre-screening, and apparently it was several minutes longer than the theater release. In any case, it is unquestionably the most intelligent, sensitive and understanding look at the consequences of Sept 11 on the mentality of individuals in the US I have seen.

To place myself on the political spectrum, I'm an American and a fervent opponent of the policies of George W Bush.

The film looks at the psychological damage inflicted upon a broad spectrum of Americans (from young leftist humanitarian activists to mentally unstable right-wing militia-types) with an understanding and an acceptance which goes far beyond political debates to look at the consequences of 9-11 on Americans as individuals - something done by no other film I have seen with the possible exception of Sean Penn's short film in the anthology "9-11".

What astonished me most about the film was that a non-American like Wenders could have such a profound understanding of the American psyche. Wenders looks at America without aggression, without anger, without a shred of intolerance - but with affection, understanding and an appreciation for the damage done by 9-11.

Personally I felt a tremendous amount of frustration throughout the first 2/3rds of the film. It wasn't enough of an anti-war statement for my tastes. But by the end, the much greater depth of the message this film carries had penetrated my left-wing reactionary preconceptions and I felt - to put it simply - that Wenders had shown me my own self. The message is universal, powerful, and tolerant in the extreme.

If your opinions are strong concerning 9-11, the 2nd gulf war, or the homeland security program and it's consequence - no matter what side of the fence you sit on - you should see this film. If you can watch it with an open mind, you might find the world and America are both a better place for it.

Thank you, Mr. Wenders. You're brilliant.