This may be the best film of 1985 that I have seen. Well, depending on how my review for another movie goes. Either way though, this is perhaps the strongest acting performance Harrison Ford has ever given, and its definately a great film. Now let's get going.
Plot Summary:
We begin with the funeral of Jacob Lapp, who has one son, Samuel, and his wife, Rachel. They head off to Pennsylvania to see other family in these tough times. They reach the station and while waiting Samuel goes to the restroom and witnesses a murder of a police officer. The detective in charge of the crime, John Book, played incredibly by Harrison Ford, who takes them in while they look for the crook.
Samuel, one day, while waiting with Book in the police station, sees the killer again, an officer named McFee. Book goes to the chief, Schaeffer, and tells him the whole plot that he has discovered. Book is then targeted by McFee and his partners, Fergie, another officer, and Schaeffer himself, who is in this deal as a swindler.
Book knows the city is no longer safe and takes Rachel and Samuel back to their Amish farm, but Book was hit and before he can leave and go to safety, he passes out. The bullet wound is enough for the Amish to want to send him to a normal hospital, but if he checks in the police will find out and come and get the Lapps. He is healed over the course of a week or so.
Once Book is fine, he calls his partner, Carter, who tells him that things are too intense for him to come back and is forced to stay at the Amish farm where he decides to help work for the Lapps. Luckily Schaeffer can't find Book since Carter has taken the evidence that was taken with the murder report.
While Book waits for things to cool down, he begins to fall for Rachel, and realizes she is not just a woman who doesn't use modern technology, she is a beautiful woman. Soon Carter is interrogated by Schaeffer and crew about Book and refuses to answer. Book goes into town where he can call Carter and see what's been going on. He is informed that Carter was killed, and decides to call Schaeffer to warn him that he is going down.
This is followed by a particularly great scene where Book defends the Amish when a tourist smacks a horse and harasses a neighboring family of farmers. Book ends up fistfighting the guy and breaking his nose. The police are informed of this, and later Schaeffer finds out where he is.
So the next morning or the morning after, Schaeffer, McFee, and Fergie go to the Lapps farm and go to get Book. After a fight and a few gunshots, it comes down to Schaeffer and Book battling over Rachel, who Schaeffer wants to take as hostage. Book worms his way out and manages to get Schaeffer offguard and has him handcuffed.
It is now safe for Book to go back with Schaeffer behind bars and Book now able to investigate a little safer.
Now for the grading scale:
Acting: 10 out of 10. The main cast, the supporting cast, and even the unknowns, one of whom would end up playing Aragorn in the Lord of the Rings films, are all riveting.
Entertainment: 10 out of 10. A tight and exciting thriller.
Screenplay: 10 out of 10. It won an Oscar for crying out loud.
Directing: 9 out of 10. Peter Weir is excellent at these kind of films.
Technical Credits: 9 out of 10. All very good.
Genre Fit: 8 out of 10. A little comedic and romantic at times but otherwise its fine.
MPAA Rating: 9 out of 10. Just fine at an R rating. Not too intense or less intense.
Stupid Scenes: 10 out of 10. None.
Deeper Message: 8 out of 10. Talks of respecting others cultures and ways.
Beginning: 27 out of 30. A brilliant start.
Middle: 29 out of 30. The love story is very well woven.
Ending: 30 out of 30. Pretty much perfect.
Final Score: 169/180 or 94%. An A, and perhaps the highest score yet to be seen. Can it be topped?
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