Director: Peter Weir
Starring: Lukas Haas, Harrison Ford and Kelly McGillis
‘A Captivating Classic’
Not many actors in Hollywood possess class of Lukas Haas. Ever since he began his career in the 1980’s, Haas has made many memorable films. Whether it’s brave fur traders, dreamers or political leaders, Haas has portrayed many strong characters. Arguably, Haas’ strength as an actor has always been his strong presence. He is one of those rare actors that has had the talent of stealing the show in supporting roles with limited screen-time. Even when he isn’t a main focus of a movie, Haas has always left a lasting impression. An actor with commanding screen presence, Haas has made memorable movies attracting a big audience. Through his abilities to portray characters that are always compelling, Haas has built a legacy which has been lasting. Throughout his powerful career, Haas has made many great movies which are definitely worth talking about without a single doubt.
I’m a huge fan of Haas and adore all the films he has made in his career. However, “Witness” is definitely my favourite. Ever since its release in 1985, Peter Weir’s movie has stood the test of time as a crime classic. Packed with strong production design, engaging storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the best murder mystery movies ever made. At the centre of it all is an excellent performance by Lukas Haas, who embodies a child that becomes witness of a murder. Ultimately, what makes “Witness” a crime classic is universal appeal. Unlike most movies made during the 1980’s which tend to be outdated, it has aged beautifully. A riveting crime classic, there are several strong reasons why “Witness” is a commemorated movie that’s worth seeing.
Set in a small Amish town, “Witness” tells the story of a young boy that becomes a witness of murders causing darkness. Harrison Ford portrays Capt. John Book, a skilled detective with a knack for solving murders. Book is an intelligent policeman that has always found a way to solve murders that come with a painful price to pay. However, Book’s life dramatically changes when he is tasked with protecting a child that witnesses painful murder. Samuel Lapp (Lukas Haas) is an intelligent boy that becomes witness of a painful murder causing tension. Under intense pressure, Book faces tension struggling to care for a child accused of murder. As he bears witness to a gruesome incident of violence, Book questions whether he can solve a gruesome murder mystery with experience.
Peter Weir has always been fascinated with themes of mystery. His iconic film “Picnic at Hanging Rock” offered a powerful portrait of mysterious disappearances that shock. With “Witness”, however, Weir created his first ever crime mystery. It was the filmmaker’s first ever attempt to capture tensions faced by boys in a murder mystery but he succeeded immensely. Using stunning cinematography, Weir captures a detective’s journey to investigate an intense murder mystery. Emulating Roman Polanski’s “Chinatown”, Weir uses point of view shots to capture a detective on a journey to investigate a mystery. For instance, the point of view shots enhance the murder scene. During this intense scene, John Book investigates the crime scene of a murder causing tension. Through point of view shots, Weir creates detectives audiences can easily relate to. Point of view shots aren’t simple to use in movies. As Damien Chazelle’s “First Man” suggested, point of view shots are suited to commemorated space films. Nevertheless, they work well in this movie. Through captivating visuals, Weir captures tension commemorated witnesses of murder are facing.
Another admirable aspect of “Witness” which merits appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, the movie is extremely well made. Weir expertly employs production design to capture the lives of detectives that decline. Throughout the movie, Weir uses the backdrop of a real-life Amish town to capture murders causing a mystery. For instance, the real-life small town locations elevate the final confrontation scene. During this unforgettable scene, John has a tense final encounter with suspects of murder which cause destruction. Moreover, the musical score is phenomenal. Maurice Jarre’s music is key to the success of the movie. It gives the film a tense atmosphere capturing the heavy burden that detectives in a mystery bear. Through powerful production, Weir captures the lives of detectives seeking to conduct an investigation.
Storytelling is one of the primary reasons why “Witness” is a murder mystery movie which is compelling. The film is beautifully written, and effectively uses silence to capture tensions of detectives impacted by violence. Throughout the movie, Weir uses engrossing sequences of silence to capture the lives of Amish boys that witness violence. For instance, silence elevates the murder aftermath scene. During this tense scene, Samuel adopts the attitude of silence refusing to talk after he witnesses incidence of violence. Through stunning scenes of silence, Weir creates a portrait of detectives audiences can relate to. Silence is a tricky technique to use in movies. As Alejandro Gonzales Inarritu’s “The Revenant” suggested, silence enhances movies about wilderness survival. However, it works immensely in this film. Through a superb screenplay, Weir captures detectives facing a price to pay.
One appreciates phenomenal performances.
Lukas Haas delivers one of his finest career performances as Samuel. In his first major leading role, Haas showcased his strengths portraying emotional characters with a goal. This is the star unlike you have ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most iconic role. Haas has often excelled portraying emotional heroes under pressure, and “Witness” showcased his strengths as an actor. With riveting expressions, he captures the angst, desperation and childlike wonder of a boy that witnesses murder causing tensions. For a child actor, Haas exhibited rare maturity well beyond his years. It’s a bold performance from one of the most commemorated actors in Hollywood today.
While the movie is mainly a stunning showcase for Lukas Haas, the supporting cast is terrific and also worthy of appreciation. Harrison Ford is fantastic, bringing authority to a detective in a tense profession that he has always adored. Kelly McGillis is captivating, bringing affection to a concerned mother struggling to protect a son which witnesses gruesome murder. Lastly, Danny Glover merits appreciation. As a strong police officer, he brings a sense of authority to the movie.
Finally, “Witness” would earn appreciation of everyone for capturing the murders detectives witness. Unlike most movies made during the 1980’s which are often outdated, it has aged beautifully. The film discusses strong themes including identity, mental health and wrongful conviction that would definitely resonate with everyone. Viewers don’t need to be members of the Amish community to appreciate it. The film delivers a meaningful message regarding wrongful conviction that would resonate with everyone. Therefore, “Witness” is one of those rare commemorated murder mystery movies that everyone will adore.
Fans of Lukas Haas will definitely appreciate “Witness” and so will movie-goers that seek enjoyable entertainment. A captivating crime classic, it celebrates an actor that’s iconic.
Nearly 40 years following the release of a groundbreaking film about a boy that becomes a witness of a gruesome murder, it’s a riveting reminder about a commemorated actor with a charismatic nature that has played compelling characters in unforgettable movies throughout his illustrious career which audiences commonly treasure.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 