"Landman" is a new drama series on Paramount Plus that offers an insider's view into the rough and tumble world of oil drilling. The show, which is based loosely on the podcast "Boomtown", casts West Texas as a new frontier for greed. The main character, Tommy Norris played by Billy Bob Thornton, is a rugged landman securing leases and mineral rights for oil drilling for Jon Hamm's character, a golf-playing tycoon.
The plot primarily revolves around Tommy's constant confrontation with a number of challenges, ranging from handling oil derricks to dealing with a meddling regulatory lawyer. Apart from shedding light on the darker side of the American oil industry, "Landman" also portrays the complex interpersonal dramas within Tommy's own family.
The show, however, has been criticized for its slow pace and lack of engaging content. Much of the storyline seems to be padding, focusing on subsidiary characters and subplots that don't always add to the main narrative. There are also bizarre shifts in tone and mood, with serious dramatic scenes often interrupted by oddly placed humor.
Despite having an impressive cast, the series falls short on delivering gripping drama or substantive dialogue. Thornton's performance has its moments of brilliance, but the overall ensemble seems to struggle with underwritten characters and disconnected plotlines. As such, it appears that "Landman" may be a dry well, not quite delivering on its promising premise.
This critique is based on the first five episodes available for screening. Full series can be streamed on Paramount Plus.
