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Landman opens in a way I wasn’t expecting, as Tommy Norris (Billy Bob Thornton – Bad Santa 2) is tied and bound to a chair – obviously aginst his will, as he owns the rights to drill on some land. However, those who owned the land own the surface, and don’t want him there. Hence, he’s come to negotiate a surface lease, so everyone can be happy, financially, at the end of the day.
It really sets Thornton’s character out brilliantly, since even under duress for most people, he chirps back at them, “Wish in one hand, shit in the other. See which fills, first(!)”
As such, he’s as kick-ass as ever, as the oil industry earns more money per day, than most people can count. But he needs to secure the lease, and then manage the people brought in to build the oil pumpjacks on the land, and it’s an incredibly dangerous business, as we’ll find out.
Still, where there’s risk, there’s reward, since it’s afforded him the ability to rent a huge house with a swimming pool!
Family also plays a part, such as when Tommy goes to pick up his daughter, Ainsley (Michelle Randolph – 1923), from the airport, along with her new boyfriend, although Tommy even privately asks her if she’s “being careful”, which is returned with a rather graphic answer that no father would want to hear, “He doesn’t come IN me, but he can come anywhere ON me”. EWWWW! Well, he did ask.
Billy treats her as if she’s 12, yet is apparently 17, even though the actress is 27. Credibility is being stretched along the way.
Elsewhere, his son, Cooper (Jacob Lofland – Joker: Folie à Deux), has first day on the oil-drilling job, and being teased by the old-hands, including Michael Pena, but at that moment when you can sense something’s going to go wrong… OOOOH!
Mr Thornton is on absolute top form in this role, and stars alongside as Jon Hamm (Transformers One) as company manager Monty Miller, along with Demi Moore (The Substance) as his wife, Cami. The main cast is also topped off with MILFy Ali Larter as Tommy’s ex-wife, Angela.
I’ve seen the first two episodes so far, and like another Taylor Sheridan creation, Lioness (formerly referred to as Special Ops: Lioness), Landman is taking a bit of time to set out its stall, although I’ve seen a couple of big set-pieces so far, along with a very icky finger incident.
Although 5 episodes were available for preview, only the first two had subtitles, which I rather needed – given the Southern drawl that perpetuates throughout, so I’ll catch them when broadcast. Also, if I do watch all 5 now, then I’ve got a long gap before new ones come up 😀
Thanks to our friends at Paramount+ for the screener prior to release.
Landman is not available to pre-order on Blu-ray or DVD, but is on Paramount+ from tomorrow. There are two episodes initially, with further episodes added weekly, up to a total of ten. Even before release, Demi Moore has reportedly already confirmed that Season 2 has already been greenlit.
Detailed specs:
Cert: 
Running time: 45-65 minutes per episode (6 episodes)
Release date: November 18th 2024
Studio: Paramount+
Format: 2.00:1
Series Directors: Stephen Kay, Michael Friedman, Taylor Sheridan
Producer: Bob Yari
Writer: Taylor Sheridan
Creators: Taylor Sheridan, Christian Wallace
Music: Andrew Lockington
Series Cast
Tommy Norris: Billy Bob Thornton
Monty Miller: Jon Hamm
Angela: Ali Larter
Cooper Norris: Jacob Lofland
Ainsley Norris: Michelle Randolph
Dale: James Jordan
Nathan: Colm Feore
Rebecca: Kayla Wallace
Sheriff Walt Joeberg: Mark Collie
Cami: Demi Moore
Ariana: Paulina Chávez
Boss: Mustafa Speaks
Jiminez Crew: JJ Thompson
Antonio: Octavio Rodriguez
Ryder: Mitchell Slaggert
Manuel: JR Villarreal
Jimenez: Alex Meraz
Gracie: Dani Raen
Ellie: Robyn Lively
Colonel Ivey: Ben Browder
Isabel: Rosemary Dominguez
Mabel: Charlotte White
Reviewer of movies, videogames and music since 1994. Aortic valve operation survivor from the same year. Running DVDfever.co.uk since 2000. Nobel Peace Prize winner 2021.