Summary:
While home sick from school, a young boy’s grandfather reads him The Princess Bride.
My Thoughts:
I almost find it silly to write a review for this film. It doesn’t matter if you’re young or old, conservative or liberal, or a man or a woman- if you’re a human being with a pulse, there’s a good chance you’ll enjoy this film- not just enjoy, probably fall head over heels in love with this movie. I’ve pretended to fence my younger cousins with pool noodles while they did their best to impersonate Inigo Montoya, I’ve discussed this movie at length with a stranger in a Six Flags line who was wearing a Princess Bride shirt, my family has used the creative insults at our game table (‘You miserable vomitus mass’), and I’ve overheard countless conversations where references to this film have been made (‘No more rhymes now I mean it!’ ‘Anybody want a peanut?’). If there was ever a film that has invaded pop culture and is beloved not only by fans but also by critics, it was this one.
For me and I’m sure many of its other fans, this film is extremely nostalgic. I still remember the day that I first saw the film, because my parents wanted to surprise my siblings and I with a movie, and they seemed very excited. At the same, they wouldn’t tell us the name of the film because they knew my brother and I would absolutely refuse to watch a movie called ‘The Princess Bride’ (“That sounds girly!”). I remember when the title card came on the screen and feeling a sinking feeling in my stomach, thinking that I wouldn’t enjoy the film at all. I was, in a way, much like Fred Savage, who plays the precocious Grandson in this movie; dubious about how much enjoyment I could really glean from this story. Of course, by the time Inigo and Westley have their duel atop the cliffs of insanity, I was fully immersed in the world of Princess Bride. Now, as I sit down to write this review after watching the film for the hundredth or so time, I find the idea of me not liking this movie almost laughable. For me, this film will always be perfect. Maybe that’s partially due to overwhelming nostalgia, but probably not. I grew up loving this film, and while many other movies that I loved as a child have long since fallen from my ‘favorite films list’ like leaves dropping from an Oak tree in late October, this film is one that has remained a constant on my favorites list, and I honestly believe it will remain there until the day I die.
“Have fun storming the castle!”
When a Grandson (Fred Savage, “Austin Powers: Goldmember”) is home sick from work, his Grandfather (Peter Falk, “Wings of Desire”) comes to visit and read him a story called ‘The Princess Bride.’ The story revolves around a farm girl named Buttercup (Robin Wright, “Blade Runner 2049”) and farm boy named Westley (Cary Elwes, “Bram Stoker’s Dracula”) who fall in love. Westley leaves to earn a fortune but is murdered by pirates (‘Murdered by pirates is good!’). Years later, Buttercup is forced into an engagement with Prince Humperdinck (Chris Sarandon, “Dog Day Afternoon”), though she does not love him. One day, whilst riding her horse miles from the nearest village, a trio of misfits kidnaps Buttercup: a self-proclaimed genius named Vizzini (Wallace Shawn, “My Dinner with Andre”), a giant named Fezzik (“Andre the Giant”), and a vengeful Spaniard named Inigo Montoya (Mandy Patinkin, “Wish I Was Here”). Humperdinck pursues his kidnapped fiancé, but unbeknownst to him, a mysterious masked man is also in pursuit.
I suppose my favorite part about this movie is just the story itself. It has everything: ‘fencing, fighting, torture, revenge, giants, monsters, chases, escapes, true love, miracles,’ and of course, it’s regarded as one of the greatest fantasy films of all time (an acknowledged weak spot for yours truly). As the film uses a Grandfather reading to his Grandson as a framing device (and a rather meta one at that), it makes sense that this film plays out like a storybook romance. But while other fantasy films and books that use epic romances as their centerpieces, this film makes fun of the tropes of the fantasy genre, while at the same time becoming one of the best fantasy romances ever. The way that Goldberg (the author and screenwriter) works humor into this world is absolutely wonderful, and I believe it’s the reason this film is still so loved. Everything from the sarcastic commentary by the Grandson, to the delightfully quirky characters that populate the story just draws you into the world deeper.
The world in which Princess Bride is just as much of a character as those who populate it, and just as magical as well. The Fire Swamp, The Cliffs of Insanity, The Pit of Despair, the ROUS-es, the shrieking eels, the Thieves’ Forest, Miracle Max’s home… all of these places, creatures and characters add to the world, make it richer and more memorable. The way that Goldberg writes is both loving and playful; he loves the world he’s created while also realizing that some of the creatures and events are a bit silly. The film doesn’t take itself seriously, but because of that, it ends up winning over the viewer even more.
Verdict:
I honestly have nothing bad to say about this film. It’s one of the few movies that I could throw on at any time and be happy. Though the film is just now thirty years old, I wouldn’t be surprised if it goes down in history as one of the most beloved films from the 20th century. It’s funny, exhilarating, romantic, and endlessly entertaining. I’d be hard pressed to find a film better suited for an entire family.
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