Witness

One of my favorite pictures in recent memory; so good that I went back a week later and saw it again. And not just because Kelly McGillis is in it, either (see “Reuben Reuben”) and still looking great. She actually is a good actress to boot. The picture is lush, lovely, lyrical, romantic, exciting, and charming. Peter Weir (“Year of Living Dangerously”) directs with a sure eye for movement and visual grab. The picture is funny when it wants to be, and suspenseful as all get-out when it wants to be and does a superb job of capturing the sparks that fly when big city cop John Book (Harrison Ford) is forced to take refuge in an Amish village (which looks so idyllic it's GOT to be an idealization of reality). Ford, who has managed somehow to dodge the effects of two of the most type-castable roles in history (Han Solo and Indiana Jones) really seems to be turning into a fine actor. He plays this role with exceptional warmth and sensitivity, plus he's got great facial expressions. I found the romance between Rachel and John totally believable, and despite a curious non-payoff that we seem to be set up for, the picture is completely satisfying. It's the kind they don't make any more, but should.