This is an OK film. It is interesting from the stand-point of learning
about the somewhat mysterious (for me!) Amish culture, and to a
lesser extent, seeing a street-hardened cop, played by Harrison
Ford, placed in that pacified and devout Amish world. However,
the whole battle of "good cop vs. bad cop" is a little typical and not
particularly well executed here. There are some good chuckles
here and there centered around Harrison's character, John Book,
and his attempt to "fit in" with the Amish lifestyle, and some tense
action sequences, as well. The acting is solid, though nothing too
inspiring. Ford actually plays a character that doesn't have a HALO
rammed up his BUTT, as he has with much of the rest of his
career choices (I will never give him full-credit as an actor due to
his outright refusal to play a villain!). (Unfortunately, I also think
this might have been where he turned down that somewhat
distasteful path as the "man-at-odds/action hero" that he has
come to personify).
**SPOILER**
The most redeeming feature of Witness is the non-Hollywood
ending. Despite the romantic build-up, and probable audience
wishes, it DOESN'T end with John and Rachel together. I'll admit
that even I was hoping, despite the obvious improbability of it
working out between them, that I wanted to see that "Happily Ever
After" ending. So it was a bittersweet moment to be somewhat
sad and satisfied with the ultimate conclusion.
I'm left with this one question though; why do the Amish men have
those big beards but NO mustaches?!!!
7/10 A good Amishly hand-woven yarn (not to be watched with
Microwavable popcorn, though!)
about the somewhat mysterious (for me!) Amish culture, and to a
lesser extent, seeing a street-hardened cop, played by Harrison
Ford, placed in that pacified and devout Amish world. However,
the whole battle of "good cop vs. bad cop" is a little typical and not
particularly well executed here. There are some good chuckles
here and there centered around Harrison's character, John Book,
and his attempt to "fit in" with the Amish lifestyle, and some tense
action sequences, as well. The acting is solid, though nothing too
inspiring. Ford actually plays a character that doesn't have a HALO
rammed up his BUTT, as he has with much of the rest of his
career choices (I will never give him full-credit as an actor due to
his outright refusal to play a villain!). (Unfortunately, I also think
this might have been where he turned down that somewhat
distasteful path as the "man-at-odds/action hero" that he has
come to personify).
**SPOILER**
The most redeeming feature of Witness is the non-Hollywood
ending. Despite the romantic build-up, and probable audience
wishes, it DOESN'T end with John and Rachel together. I'll admit
that even I was hoping, despite the obvious improbability of it
working out between them, that I wanted to see that "Happily Ever
After" ending. So it was a bittersweet moment to be somewhat
sad and satisfied with the ultimate conclusion.
I'm left with this one question though; why do the Amish men have
those big beards but NO mustaches?!!!
7/10 A good Amishly hand-woven yarn (not to be watched with
Microwavable popcorn, though!)