Land of Plenty

There is a lot of discussion about the First Amendment rights that we as Americans enjoy. One important aspect is we are allowed to view films that present criticism about this country even if it is made by a non-American. Now that the world has grown so incredibly small it is important that we as a people examine not only our own analysis of our country but to consider how others who share this globe view us. The Win Wenders film, ‘Land of Plenty’ shows a darker side of the American dream, one that may not make us feel comfortable but is still valid to consider and well presented.

The film is concerned with two people who although they are related have almost diametrically opposed world views and experiences. Lana (Michelle Williams) is a young woman, barley in her twenties who has spent most of her formative years aboard. Most recently she was working in the West Bank with her missionary father. Despite her tender years she has witnessed first hand the destruction of war and the devastation of poverty. After a trip from the Middle East back to California she starts to work in a place that is comfortable to her, a soup kitchen. Lana also seems at home while living in a homeless shelter. She also wants to connect with her Uncle Paul (John Diehl). Paul is a veteran of the Viet Nam War, disabled through exposure to Agent Orange. After 9-11 Paul has become a self appointed civilian member of Homeland Security. While holding no official status in any organization he is devoted to once again protecting his country. To this end he spends most of his money on spy equipment and most of his time in a beat up old van watching anyone who may appear to be of Middle Eastern descent. Paul does have a partner of sorts in his endeavor, Jimmy (Richard Edson). They share some of the same views and is useful to Paul because of some tenuous connections to the local police. One of his main targets in this ad hoc investigation is Hassan (Shaun Toub), a Palestinian who Paul is sure belongs to some splinter group or another. Lana and Paul have an uneasy reunion. They are not only on completely opposite ends of the political spectrum they also have deeply different views of how they fit into humanity. When Hassan is gunned down in a drive by shooting Lana convinces Paul to help her take his body to where she thinks his family may reside. Hassan was not doing anything suspicious when he was shot. Actually he was just carrying a box of Borax, not exactly plutonium. A tape made by Paul in his surveillance makes its way to the local television news and soon hatred is being fanned once again. Lana and Paul team up to find way this man was killed. Each has their own agenda but in s strange way they share a common goal. During the investigation Paul becomes even more paranoid and detached. Lana tries her best to remain spiritually focused but it is difficult as she watches her uncle.

Both of the main characters are Americans both neither of them can be considered as fitting in with how many feel Americans should be viewed. They are tragically flawed, each by their own experiences. A major part of Paul’s humanity was lost during his time serving the country in Viet Nam. Being physically damaged by a defoliating agent applied by his own government has left more than just bodily injured. He has only one thing that drives him, protect his country against its latest foe. Emotionally Paul is a mess. He is in denial as to what the country did to him and sees only external enemies at the gate. For him racial profiling is a way of life now. When Paul, like so many millions of others, watched the Twin Towers fall to a foreign enemy something inside of his died while his need to protect his country found a new means of expression. Lana was no stranger to poverty and the condition of a country torn apart by war. What she was not prepared for was finding similar conditions here in the States. She sees no difference between a bomb out neighborhood in the Middle East and a slum in Los Angles. Each contains the collateral victims of national policy. They are filled with human beings in dire need of help. She is filled with the true Christian ethics, helping those in need, and holds this apart from any political or nationalist influences. Neither one of them can really see the world as it is. Lana sees the danger in the world but doesn’t allow it to alter what she feels has to be done. Perhaps she has lived with it in the West Bank too long and is now longer able to see a world that is not afraid. Her optimism is her shield and at the same time her blinders. For Paul there is no reason to be optimistic. Back in Viet Nam the enemy hid in rice paddies ready to shoot him. Now people hijack planes and crash them into buildings. The methods have changed but for Paul the circumstances are only worse now that the threat is on our own soil.

This is a great cast one that does well in a smaller film like this. I never would have guessed that the girl from Dawson’s Creek would grow into such a powerful and accomplished actress but Michelle Williams certain has turned in some impressive work. Here she gives humanity to Lana that is compelling. With many actresses there would be the danger of over playing Lana as the perfect nice girl. Williams gives depth to her character with flaws and all. She creates a character that the audience can identify with even if they don’t particularly agree with her viewpoint. John Diehl has been a working actor for over a quarter of a century. You will certainly recognize him but as a character actor he may not be aware of his name. As a character actor he has had to fit into to many different roles that have given him an insight into the human condition. While his performance is more over the top than Williams he does let the audience at least understand what has taken this man to a point in his life where he is so suspicious of anyone in a turban.

Wim Wenders is a German born director who has immigrated to the United States some years ago. He obviously loves his adopted country but he still has a viewpoint that comes from being able to compare conditions here with another country. This film has a visceral impact due in large part to the talents of Wenders as the director and his choice of Franz Lustig as his director of photography. Together they show a part of American that most of us either are unwilling or unable to identify with. Here there is little difference between the poor areas of the States and the scenes we see each night on television news showing the burnt out homes in other countries. Wender reinforces this gut feeling with the use of a digital camera giving an intimate feel to the piece. This film was made in record time taking three weeks for the script and a primary shooting schedule of only sixteen days. This meant that the cast and crew did not have time to over think their work. Instead they let it happen on a more organic level.

Once again Genius Pictures and the Independent Film Channel bring to DVD a gem that many out there may not otherwise have known about. The video was done in a non anamorphic 1.85:1 transfer that is excellent. The Dolby 2.0 audio works here. There is no need for a full 5.1 treatment, the two speakers bring you close to the characters and that is what is important here. There is a commentary track featuring Wenders where he discusses not only the trials of such a fast pace production schedule but also the socio-political drive behind the film. There is also a making of featurette and some deleted scenes. This is an important film to watch. You may not agree with some of the points being made but you should be glad that we have the freedom to express them.

Posted 10/10/06