The Princess Bride

1987's THE PRINCESS BRIDE is based on William Goldman's same named 1973 novel, one I've long planned to read.  I've heard of its witty parody of romantic and fairy tale stories, with a running commentary by a fictional author who is actually Goldman himself.  He also wrote the adaptation for director Rob Reiner, and propelled what was previous a cult curiosity into one of the most beloved films of its time.  Few movies are quoted as often among those who came of age in the '80s, and even folks who had already graduated high school by that time, like yours truly.

I don't know how caustic the novel gets; I suspect a bit more than this snarky but gentle movie. Goldman retains a commentary in his screenplay by having a kindly grandfather (Peter Falk) read the story - of a lowly farmhand named Westley (Carey Elwes) and his beloved Buttercup (Robin Wright) - to his grandson (Fred Savage), who is concerned about potential kissing scenes.  There are some of those, but also plenty of adventure as Westley goes missing after seeking his fortune, only to return as the man in black and out to rescue his love from the pompous Prince Humperdinck (Chris Sarandon), who Buttercup has resigned herself to marry.  Goldman ribs every cliche in the fantasy genre, but makes them as enjoyable as they ever were.  Sword fights, daring escapes, torture, vengeance for murdered relatives, battles of wits, it's all there.

THE PRINCESS BRIDE also allows its fine cast to flesh out essential archetypes to make them lovable or hissable, sometimes both.  Mandy Patinkin gets my vote for best performance as Spanish fencer Inigo Montoyo, who seeks the six-fingered man who killed his father.  Never has the actor been so endearing.  Elwes does a nice job of being heroic and smartassed.  Wallace Shawn, as a Sicilian crime boss, is highly amusing in his villiany, as is Sarandon as Humperdinck.  Can't forget those hilarious cameos by Billy Crystal and Peter Cook.  I also enjoyed Christopher Guest's calmly evil Count Tyrone Rugen.

Is it possible that the movie is stolen by Andre the Giant, who plays an outlaw with a kind heart named Fezzik?

I loved this movie from my first viewing, which sadly was not in the theater but at home on VHS. This is how most of the audience, the one that has held the film near and dear ever since, really grew.  THE PRINCESS BRIDE did fairly well at the box office, but as with BLADE RUNNER, DAZED AND CONFUSED, THE BLUES BROTHERS, and so many others, immortality was cemented by home video viewing.  And re-viewing.  Reiner does a terrific job of mounting excitement and Borscht belt humor alike, and despite his claim that he "can't put on a show like Lucas or Spielberg" does just fine with his more than modest effects and production design.  I can safely say that his movie deserves a place next to the great fantasy/swashbuckler/love stories of years past.  It truly is one for the ages, yet never wears its big heart on its sleeve.