Landman Review: Taylor Sheridan & Billy Bob Thornton Strike Gold

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As a seasoned viewer of gritty, character-driven dramas, I found myself thoroughly engrossed in Taylor Sheridan’s latest offering, “Landman.” Having followed Billy Bob Thornton‘s career since his days on “Hearts of Rage,” it was a pleasure to witness him bring yet another complex and captivating character to life.

In a refreshing twist, cigarettes and Dr. Pepper go hand in hand for the gritty lead character of Taylor Sheridan’s latest TV masterpiece, much like spaghetti and meatballs. The esteemed actor Billy Bob Thornton takes the helm in this role, marking another notable A-list film star transitioning to small-screen storytelling with outstanding success. Beware of being misled by the unassuming title or the vibes reminiscent of “Yellowstone” from promotional trailers; Landman, adapted from the acclaimed podcast Boomtown by Christian Wallace, stands as a beacon in its own right. The new Paramount+ series offers riveting narrative twists, regular doses of classic Thornton humor, and an unwavering examination of the West Texas oil industry and its far-reaching impacts on society.

This current story blends the spirit of the Western genre, complete with cowboy hats, with elements of comedy, suspense, and drama. Each episode will leave you eager for more. The series, Sheridan, skillfully draws you in, offers pauses amidst stunning surprises in dramatic turns, and keeps you anticipating the next episode. And as the highly-praised second season of Sheridan’s Lioness continues, let’s not be surprised if a second season of Landman follows soon.

Billy Bob Thornton Becomes Your Next Favorite Antihero

Occasionally, actors face criticism for consistently portraying similar characters. However, when it resonates, it does so effectively, often due to an actor’s exceptional ability to embody their unique self. Thornton demonstrates versatility, moving from roles in “Fargo” to “Sling Blade,” showing he’s not limited to playing rough-and-tumble, cynical antiheroes. Yet, Sheridan recognized that this archetype was ideal for his new series and crafted the lead character with Thornton in mind. The show, “Landman,” carries a TV-MA rating primarily due to the persistent use of a particular four-letter word by its lead character, Tommy Norris, a role that seems tailor-made for Thornton. It’s an appealing mix of his comedic appeal and his proven talent for creating dramatic tension.

In simpler terms, “Landman” Tommy maneuvers through the complex and risky oil business in West Texas, dealing with his demanding supervisor Monty (Jon Hamm), who frequently engages in intense business conversations even during family moments with his high-class wife Cami (Demi Moore). Additionally, Tommy juggles his under-the-table transactions with his roommate-colleagues Nathan (Colm Feore) and the tough guy Dale (regularly seen on Sheridan), making it challenging to coordinate everything smoothly.

In this scenario, Tommy, Nathan, and Dale are careful not to upset Sheriff Mark Collie, who often needs to intervene when problems arise at the oil rigs. Cooper, Tommy’s grown son, has chosen to work there despite his elders urging him to use his college education for a safer job. At the rigs, Cooper learns how to handle heavy machinery from experienced workers like Armando (Michael Peña), as he could potentially cause an explosion if he makes a mistake.

The Many Troubles of Landman Tommy Norris

Tommy is a heavy smoker and drinker who frequently travels from one profane business gathering to another in his truck. He’s also navigating the pieces of his family that he and his unpredictable ex-wife Angela (Ali Larter) shattered long ago. Although they live separately, not too far apart, their children, son Cooper and 17-year-old daughter Ainsley (Michelle Randolph), reside nearby, creating chaos that keeps the former spouses on their toes at all times.

Yes, the perpetually embattled dad and businessman has quite a bit to juggle every single day, and the icing on the cake comes in the form of a newly arrived lawyer in town named Rebecca (Kayla Wallace), sent from the upstairs powers-that-be to investigate and cover the oil titans’ tracks regarding a recent catastrophe at one of the rigs. Add her to the list of partners Tommy must now waltz with to ensure his company isn’t sued into submission and that his employees still feel protected by their distant employer. It’s a constant migraine for “landman” Tommy, someone whose rear is on the line 24/7, 365.

Jon Hamm & Demi Moore Are Mostly Wasted in the Very Authentic New Sheridan Show

Tommy’s constant small battles is one reason we grow to love him across the spread of Season 1. Actually, Sheridan’s knack for weaving comedy into his dramatic works (also looking at you, Tulsa King) means Tommy dishes endless, hard R-rated one-liners that will leave you hollering out loud at your TV. To that end, it actually might only take the first episode for you to fall head over heels for Sheridan’s deliciously foul protagonist/antihero. Tommy even teaches you a thing or two about the oil biz through his wise-guy voiceover narrations on occasion.

In this film, we tend to overlook the voiceovers and their heavy narration since it’s Richard Thornton himself who delivers them with his distinctive cynical tone, which mirrors the somber atmosphere of those involved in his industry. Unfortunately, Jon Hamm and Demi Moore don’t provide the same captivating dark charm that Mr. Thornton does, but they do have opportunities to show their talent as the powerful couple of the oil industry, observing their subordinates manipulate magic and generate billions for them.

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but rave about the authenticity that “Landman” brings to the table, particularly during its pulse-pounding scenes at the rigs. Real explosions and genuine equipment used by the stars in Season 1 make it all feel incredibly real, elevating the show’s atmosphere. Although it may find itself somewhat overshadowed by the colossal presence of “Yellowstone,” “Landman” provides a refreshing new perspective for creators like Taylor Sheridan to delve deeper into the American South. Straight from MTV Entertainment Studios, “Landman” will start streaming exclusively on Paramount+ from November 17. Click the link below to catch it: [Stream Landman on Paramount+]

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2024-11-15 11:01