Before I started this little project, I was going to run a website that was strictly dedicated to movie reviews. So I started reviewing every movie that I'd watch even if it was one I'd seen a million times. Seriously, I kept a notepad by my recliner and everything.
However, the idea started evolving for various reasons and I eventually got further and further away from a website dedicated strictly to movie reviews. That left me with a bunch of reviews for older movies that were sort of worthless regarding the format that I've established here and now.
Nuts to that I say!
So I figured why not post them. Not all at once, but slowly and surely. I was planning on reviewing new and old movies for the movie website anyway, why couldn't my readers be hip enough to enjoy commentary on a classic?
It's in this spirit of things that I now present my review on the Princess Bride, hope you enjoy:
Undoubtedly, the Princess Bride is one of the all time greats. Almost an immediate classic when it came out, there's not much that can be said negative about this film. I would dare anyone to try and would fight viciously to defend it.
As the story begins, a sick child (played by a young Fred Savage) is read the book, the Princess Bride by his grandfather (Peter Falk) who expertly explains that this book has everything. From fencing to true love, there is indeed not much left out of this phenomenal masterpiece.
The film is directed by Rob Reiner based on the novel written by William Goldman who also wrote the script for the movie. Reiner expertly balances the comedic tone of the film with the seriousness of some of it's plot devices including but not limited to the likes of revenge, true love, murder, and torture. Truly funny and almost a complete comedy the film sometimes wobbles into the land of farce but never truly topples over. Over the years, many films have tried to copy the blend of humor and drama that exists here but most have failed to come close. And nearly all have failed to perfectly nail it.
Of course, the film wouldn't hit on all cylinder's if it weren't for a remarkable cast that features Cary Elwes as the romantic farm boy Westley who endures all sorts of pain, misery and trouble for his true love Robin Wright as Princess Buttercup. Along the way, comes Mandy Patinkin as the brilliant swordmaster Inigo Montoya who seeks revenge for the death of his father by way of working with Fezzik the giant played by Andre the Giant and their boss, the self-described criminal master mind Vizzini portrayed by the always hilarious Shawn Wallace. With Christopher Guest as the cruel Count Rugen and Chris Sarandon as the villainous Prince Humperdink our bad guys are present and rounded out.
However, the cameo's by Carol Kane and Billy Crystal as Valerie and Miracle Max respectively, are comic gold and one of the major great scenes in a film full of great scenes.
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| Bye, bye boys! Have fun storming the castle! |
Honestly, if you've never seen this movie, just stop reading this review and go buy it. Don't rent it, just go buy it. It will be treasured within your heart of heart's for all time.
Still reading?
Okay, I'll humor ya.
The basic plot of the movie follows Westley's journey from farm boy to much, much more as he pursues the woman he loves and goes from probably dead, to very much alive, to mostly dead and finally to fully alive only weakened and yet vindicated. That may sound bizarre, but to the initiated it will make perfect sense. In any case, very quickly in the film Westley and Buttercup fall in love. The problems arise when Prince Humperdink chooses Buttercup as his Princess (it's explained that the Prince can marry whoever he wants) if only in order to have his people truly love and respect her just so that he can have her murdered and frame the crime on his country's sworn enemy in order to start a financially beneficial war. Might sound pretty complex for a swashbuckling film featuring pirates and monsters, but it's really not. It's actually surprisingly simple and the characters are what endears you to the story in the first place. Even the villains are enjoyable because they're played so well and given so much to work with.
Still reading?
You want more?
In this movie you will find one of the greatest swordfights to ever be filmed. Cary Elwes and Mandy Patinkin were highly involved in this duel, having been instructed by the great Bob Anderson (one of Hollywood's most renowned swordmasters). When these gentlemen weren't busy with other aspects of the film they were constantly practicing. The proof is in the pudding.
Both men learned to duel with either hand. That's saying something.
Another wonderful production note to this movie is that the chemistry between Patinkin and Andre the Giant was very, very good due to their interesting dynamic. Patinkin being a big man himself and rather impatient with the unpracticed and sometimes sloppy Mr. Giant would often hit him and yell, "FASTER!" at Andre when he stuttered with his lines or just flat out forgot them. You can see their dynamic clearly on screen, and while Mandy Patinkin's actions sound violent they were actually absurd and often hilarious, the two had an almost brotherly relationship and enjoyed each other's company. One can imagine that Andre probably loved and respected the brass and boldness of Mandy's direction, pushing him to be better.
Seriously, it is a crime if you haven't seen this movie and I am running out of things to say about it!
Great films almost don't deserve to be critiqued. Everything that needs to be said is on the screen. And believe me, I could probably quote this movie from start to finish. Not just because I've seen it so many times but because it's that memorable and quotable.
Do yourself a favor and enjoy the Princess Bride today.
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