In 1987, Rob Reiner of "All in the Family" fame decided to bring to life a cinematic masterpiece called The Princess Bride. Being only 5 at the time of its release, I was not able to enjoy this wonder until 1992. It was on that day that one of my friends and I were looking for entertainment during our weekly sleepover. She suggested The Princess Bride and my cinematic life has not been the same since. And now, 15 years after my original viewing, I am still enthralled by the movie. The movie introduces us to Westley (Cary Elwes), a servant boy, and the woman he loves, Buttercup (Robin Wright). Although Buttercup gets her joy originally from ordering Wesley around, she soon realizes his feelings for her and also discovers that she has the same feelings for him. In order to begin their life together properly, Wesley sets out to make money. However, he is soon captured by the Dread Pirate Roberts and presumed dead. Buttercup is then forced to accept a proposal from Prince Humperdink, who is not as good as he may seem at first. We are also treated to a thrilling and sometimes comedic tale of revenge. Along the way we meet some great characters such as Fezzik, Inigo Montoya, Vizzini, Count Rougen (the six-fingered man), and Miracle Max and his wife, Valerie. All of these characters have vital roles to play as we find that “Death cannot stop true love. All it can do is delay it for awhile.”
The Princess Bride came out in the late 80s, so there is a certain cheesiness factor about it. However, in watching the movie, all thoughts of cheesiness are forgotten. There is a reason this movie is classic: because it's freaking awesome. What girl does not dream of being loved so deeply that nothing can stop her love from getting to her? And what boy does not wish to be the strongest guy, able to beat every other guy he comes across? Rob Reiner takes us into this magical world and shows us a thrilling adventure which makes you laugh and also warms your heart. It's the kind of story you want someone to read to you when you are sick--which is how the movie begins. Peter Falk plays a grandfather who decides to visit his sick grandson (Fred Savage) and read him this story.
As I analyze this movie more and more, I am bursting with all the quotes in the movie. However, I will refrain from that in case someone out in Cyber world has not seen this wonderful movie. I love this movie and I have since the first time I watched it. I think anyone could quote the whole movie and still never be tired of it. That is indeed a rare feat! Thank you Princess Bride, please come to the podium and receive your well deserved 19.
7 comments:
Wow. Isn't that the highest rating you've given a movie yet, SP?
**coughcoughshegaveWhiteChristmasa22coughcough**
Princess Bride is one of those rare films that is just plain GOOD, and gets better every time you watch it. A 19, while high, is not necessarily undeserved. I think a lot of people who've seen it would give it at least a 15...
Particle Man is just jealous because he cannot appreciate the awesomeness of White Christmas as I can. Ofcourse that is for a different discussion at a different time. I think Princess Bride totally deserves its 19 from the mere fact that it gets better each time you watch it, as WLC stated earlier.
Like other things that get better with repeat viewings (What About Bob?, Arrested Development), it's all about the characters.
There are movies that you may want to watch several times because of a particularly twisty plot, or tremendously capable direction, but it takes characters like those in The Princess Bride to keep you coming back fifty times. It's partly because, each time we watch, we find a new layer of nuance in Vizzini's pauses or in Wesley's looks. But it's also largely because we like these guys a lot, and we want to be able to hang out with them for another two hours.
If you liked the movie, you shoudl read the book. It's got a lot more juicy detail about all the characters. But it is a solid movie.....I sould say it's around 17-ish.
Agreed, the book is also very good (and very readable). The best thing about the book, though, is William Goldman's genius narrative framework. It's sort of half hinted at in the movie, but you get the full effect when you read the book (including the introduction).
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