125
theory

Witness: Harrison Ford's Best (and that Amish Barn Raising Tho!)

Okay, so I'm watching "Witness" again (it's on cable, sue me, lol), and I've got this theory brewing. Hear me out. Everyone focuses on the fish-out-of-water thing with Harrison Ford's character, Book, hiding out with the Amish after that kid Samuel sees a murder in the train station bathroom. But what if the real fish-out-of-water story isn't Book adjusting to Amish life, but the other way around? I mean, the movie kinda paints this picture of the Amish as this serene, perfect society untouched by the outside world. But is it REALLY that simple? Like, think about it. Samuel, the kid, clearly has some curiosity about the 'English' world. And Rachel (Kelly McGillis, whoa) is drawn to Book. It's subtle, but it's there. My theory is that the entire plot hinges on Rachel's quiet rebellion against the strictures of her faith. She's not running off to join a rock band or anything, but she's open to something more than what her community offers. That barn raising scene? Beautiful, sure. But it felt almost…performative? Like they were trying to prove how perfectly harmonious they were, especially to Book. And Harrison Ford, man. He SELLS the world weariness, the desire to just escape all the corruption in the city...the violence. Maybe he isn't the fish out of water, maybe he's seeing the Amish society for what it IS, instead of what he wants it to be. Maybe that's why he ultimately leaves at the end? I mean, yeah, he couldn't stay because of the danger he brings. But could he REALLY have stayed even if the bad guys were gone? Could he have given up everything about himself to live that life, or would he always be looking at Rachel and thinking about the outside world, stirring up desires that could shake the foundations of that supposedly perfect community? Idk, maybe I'm reading too much into it after 3 AM and a pizza. But it's something to think about, right? What do you guys think? Am I totally off base here?

nathanmovies
3 months ago
2 comments
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