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Princess Bride / spisaster

Film Reviews | November 3, 2008 | Comments (73)


I may have set myself something of an impossible task — how do you come up with a fresh take on a movie so beloved that most people on this site know the entire thing by heart? Princess Bride is one of those rare movies that appeals to almost everyone. It’s a romance movie with just enough swashbuckling that men (and less than girly-girls like yours truly) don’t feel silly proclaiming their love for it, and it’s a fantasy that somehow escaped the general disdain for the genre. The funny thing is, it really shouldn’t work at all; it’s cheesy and over-the-top, most of the characters are downright cartoonish, and there are plot holes big enough for Fezzik to walk through (How is it Westley knows that Buttercup’s been abducted and just happens to be around to rescue her? Admit it, you don’t care.), and yet its flaws somehow just add to the overall charm. It’s ridiculously wonderful, in part, because it’s ridiculous.

There are a million things to love about Princess Bride, but at its heart this is a love story, and I’d argue that the main reason Princess Bride is so universally enjoyed is that it’s a perfect romance. It makes you feel all squishy and happy without also making you feel like a sap. Ironically, the scenes between Buttercup and Westley are relatively few — they spend most of the movie separated. Actually, this may be part of the appeal — you never really have a chance to get sick of the two of them together, and what scenes there are, are just enough to establish the characters and their relationship. To be honest, I can sympathize with the little kid’s disgust at the early romance elements of the story, and it’s a good thing that the back story is glossed over rather quickly so we can get on to the pirates and intrigue and shrieking eels and stuff. Young Buttercup and Westley are as bland as sugar-free vanilla pudding. It’s only after they’ve gone through a few years of hardship (mostly off-screen) that the characters develop into people that you really care about. Thankfully, Buttercup transforms from a spoiled and selfish brat to a brave, strong, somewhat volatile woman, and Westley changes from a quiet, obedient (albeit hot) farmboy to the perfect romantic lead — heroic, intelligent, and more than a little dangerous. Though I’ve seen this movie about a bazillion times, I still find myself sitting on the edge of my seat, giddy and tense with anticipation at the scene where a still-disguised Westley, stung by Buttercup’s apparent willingness to marry another man, goads her into revealing her true feelings. (And then she pushes him into a ravine. Seriously, how can you not love this movie?) This is easily my favorite scene in the film — possibly in all of romancelandia. Westley’s anger at Buttercup’s betrothal and Buttercup’s matching fury over the (supposed) loss of her beloved beautifully demonstrate the intensity of these characters’ feelings for each other without getting all gooey on us. This one little scene establishes everything you really need to know about these two to make you root for them.

Of course, leavening the romance with humor and adventure doesn’t hurt, and nobody would argue that this film would be as enjoyable without the wonderfully fleshed out secondary characters and witty, eminently quotable dialogue. It’s impossible not to love Fezzik and Inigo, and Prince Humperdinck is a perfect cowardly villain (Is it just me or does Chris Sarandon not get nearly enough work?). Nearly every scene is hilarious, and even the smallest parts are made memorable. I doubt there’s a single character with a speaking role who doesn’t have at least one quotable line. But no fairy tale is complete without true love and a happily-ever-after, and Princess Bride delivers this with more style and humor than any other movie out there. No wonder we all love it.


Pajiba Love 11/03/08 | Brutal Language of Love



Comments

Dustin, you need to fix the link for this. Thanks.

Posted by: Sofía at November 3, 2008 12:49 PM

OK, I am in love with the Godtopussy crew. First 10 Things, now, THIS? Le sigh.

I love this movie so much The Hubs and I played it on a big screen in the background of our wedding reception. This movie only got BETTER for me when I read the (amazing, wonderful, hilarious, addictive) original novel by S. Morgenstern (adapted by William Goldman, who also wrote the screenplay). If you haven't read it, DO - if you have, don't spoil it for any newbies. Figuring out the hook is half the fun.

Posted by: Tammy at November 3, 2008 12:53 PM

ALSO (because I am feeling verbose today),

I once horrified my film-student-snob-extraordinaire roommate in college by arguing that The Princess Bride was the greatest cinematic achievement of our time - my thesis being that the use of imaginary-looking set pieces and cheap-sounding score was intentional (as opposed to budget-related), and was intended to simulate the inner fantasy world inside Fred Savage's mind when his granddad reads him the book. And I meant it, every word. She was left speechless.

Posted by: Tammy at November 3, 2008 12:58 PM

You got it in one spisaster except that for me this is comfort watching. When all is pants around me or I'm sick or anything, I watch this and feel much better. I am as devoted to it as Buttercup and Westley are to each other. Sigh......

Posted by: catag at November 3, 2008 1:06 PM

Nice write up. I like think of Princess Bride as Monty Python Lite.

Posted by: Cindy at November 3, 2008 1:09 PM

"Yes, you're very smart. Shut up."

Posted by: Lee at November 3, 2008 1:19 PM

Nice work, s-pis! I knew somebody would do this one; I wondered how they'd do it.

Posted by: Anna von Beaverplatz at November 3, 2008 1:20 PM

Nice! I love love LOVE this movie. And here in Austin it is one the movies put up on the big screen for the quote-alongs.
This was one of the few times I thought Cary Elwes was good looking. It might have to do with the black outfit and the sword-fighting.

Posted by: Sharon at November 3, 2008 1:25 PM

"No more rhymes now, I mean it!"
*pause*
"Anybody want a peanut?"

This movie is amazing even after all these years.
And the book ain't bad, either.

Posted by: Courtie at November 3, 2008 1:30 PM

And Sharon, it was sort of the black outfit and the swordfighting, but I think it's mostly because Old Chubbyface lost a couple of pounds during filming. In every other movie, he's disturbingly jowly.

Posted by: Courtie at November 3, 2008 1:31 PM

I actually read the damn book before the movie came out. No idea why - found it somewhere. I was young enough to totally buy the premise as well (yes, young AND stupid, a winning combination). I can honestly say that I prefer the movie - it has Andre the Giant! Just bought the special edition release (and was geekily pleased with the rather kitchy use of script to make Princess Bride spell out the same upside down as right side up) and even enjoyed hearing Mandy Patinkin admit he cried at the screening. Definitely one of those movies that should be viewed every year or so just so you can anticipate the next quote ("Wait, I bring him back Humperdink suffers?" "Humiliations galorrrre" "Now THAT is a noble cause!")

Posted by: Megan at November 3, 2008 1:38 PM

Never start a land war in Asia. Or Paheeba.
*zaghreets*

Posted by: Beatific Barf at November 3, 2008 1:39 PM

Hm... you hit the nail on the head review, but I was preparing to settle into some hour-long monster article examining every aspect of the most important movie of my life. (I mean that literally... I don't remember a time before having seen it, and the expectations fostered by the film have no doubt ruined me for life. Any drunk sobbing on my part is normally accompanied by the phrase "Westley Doesn't Exist".) (The real-world equivalent, I mean. Not the real Westley. Though I wouldn't complain if he did.) Hey, I think I'll watch it now.

Posted by: Ling at November 3, 2008 1:48 PM

Okay - please tell me that you understand that there is no S. Morgenstern...the whole backstory of a larger historical work is fiction.

Jesus.

Posted by: anon at November 3, 2008 2:03 PM

Yes, Anon, in fact that is what I was referring to when I said about those who HAVE read the novel "don't spoil it for any newbies. Figuring out the hook is half the fun."

But, uh, thanks for taking the fun out of it.

Posted by: Tammy at November 3, 2008 2:06 PM

My mom made me watch this movie as a kid, and I watched it so much I wore out the original tape and had to buy a new one as a teenager.
Then, I used to leave this movie in my VCR (hell yeah) in college and watch about 10 min a day until I finished it, then I would start all over again.
Cut to five years later, and me walking down the aisle to theme song. Then I was given the commerative DVD by my father-in-law for Christmas. I watch it once a month to this day.
Needless to say, I am devoted.

"We are men of action, lies do not become us."

Posted by: Nimue at November 3, 2008 2:09 PM

I think what makes The Princess Bride timeless is the fact that it's the only modern fairytale movie which does NOT riff on other movies or current events. It has it's own standalone universe, so it's not dated. It also has lots of nice twists on the classic fairy stories without making fun of them or satirizing them directly.

Lastly, whoever thought to make Wallace Shawn the bad guy and put him in tights was a genius.

Posted by: BWeaves at November 3, 2008 2:11 PM

I could have gone for a slightly longer review.

Posted by: Alexandra at November 3, 2008 2:12 PM

Oh, and I keep forgetting that the movie really isn't about Wesley or Buttercup. It's about Fred Savage and Peter Falk. Just about the time I completely forget, I'm suddenly ripped back to the kid's bedroom and the grandfather reading the book to him. Sweet.

Posted by: BWeaves at November 3, 2008 2:17 PM

Lastly, whoever thought to make Wallace Shawn the bad guy and put him in tights was a genius.

Seriously. He was my favorite.

Posted by: Cindy at November 3, 2008 2:18 PM

A Hackneyed Ode to a College Dorm
Oh college dorm, I miss you
Sit in the hall, floormates around
block footpaths to all restrooms
recite The Bride, all sound for sound.
If one mess up, no worries!
The DVD is in the lounge
My roommate doesn't 'get it'
tense at her desk, her ears are gouged.

Posted by: epimethea at November 3, 2008 2:46 PM

I once made a male geek friend of mine fall over when I admitted that I used to hold my breath when Westley and Buttercup go into the Lightning sand. He couldn't believe that anyone else was as devoted as he to the full experience of the movie.

I had to hold my breath longer, because Buttercup goes under first. I win!

Posted by: Alexandra at November 3, 2008 3:06 PM

I recently saw Chris Sarandon on PBS singing in Italian in the musical The Lights of the Piazza. The whole time, I was so delighted that Prince Humperdink was in it.

Posted by: kelsy at November 3, 2008 3:11 PM

I once made a male geek friend of mine fall over when I admitted that I used to hold my breath when Westley and Buttercup go into the Lightning sand. He couldn't believe that anyone else was as devoted as he to the full experience of the movie.

AHHHH!!! I STILL do that! And I never win, I blame my asthma.

Posted by: Julie at November 3, 2008 3:13 PM

AHHHH!!! I STILL do that! And I never win, I blame my asthma.

I admit it, I still do this during my thrice-yearly viewings, too.

Asthma sucks, I guess you wouldn't have survived the Fire Swamp. But on the other hand, Westley would have to give you mouth-to-mouth after he pulled you from the sand, so hmmm... maybe asthma wouldn't suck so badly after all.

Posted by: Alexandra at November 3, 2008 3:27 PM

This may not be the best movie ever made-I'm sure no one would make that argument. But I'd say that it is a PERFECT movie-there are no flaws to be found. It's beautifully, lovingly shot. The script is great. A better cast you could not find, and everyone does a great job. AND...the music is fantastic. Who'd have thought Mark Knopfler could score a fairy tale?

In light of all of that...wtf happened to Rob Reiner?

Posted by: fimbulwinter at November 3, 2008 3:31 PM

I also learned of this movie during my college years. I was having a "problem of the heart", and this wonderful damn movie took most of those problems away. Thanks, Pat!

All these years later, I've been able to share it with my stepdaughters. I now look forward to sharing it with my step-grandbabies when their old enough.

Oh and for the record - I signed off my nerdy online game by telling my friends preparing for a task force "Have fun storming Imperius!". And of course they all laughed, because we ALL love this movie.

All of us. Thanks for the writeup!

Posted by: GreenLantern at November 3, 2008 3:42 PM

I got this book (as with most good books) from my mom when I was a teen. I read it over and over, and only loaned it to people I really trusted to give it back. (Warning: don't EVER steal a book from me).

When I heard that a film would be made, I was skeptical. Just like Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas, or Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, how could a film capture the magic of the written story?

With Princess Bride the movie, I was overwhelmed. Yes, they left out some great scenes, (Inigo fighting through the levels of the Zoo of Death still quickens my heart) and the ending is a little more upbeat than the book (don't spoil that too, Anon), but the movie stands on its own. Perfectly cast/directed/acted, and forever in my Top Five.

Life isn't fair; it's just fairer than death.

Posted by: Pajibill at November 3, 2008 4:23 PM

Someone failed to give me back my copy of the book. If only I could remember who done it, they would be dead already...

I like that the scene in the Zoo of Death shows that no matter how skilled you are, sometimes you prevail through pure dumb luck, and that's it.

Posted by: Alexandra at November 3, 2008 4:30 PM

When I was 12 my parents broke down and bought my sister & I a horse. Admittingly this was because my father had too much time on his hands and dreams of becoming a breader....but my sister and I, we named her Buttercup.

Posted by: Alicia at November 3, 2008 4:55 PM

'life is pain princess anyone who says otherwise is selling something'

Posted by: Catag at November 3, 2008 5:03 PM

My email signature is: "I do not accept excuses. I'm just going to have to find myself another giant."

Also, I HATED this movie the first two times I saw it. Then, somehow, it grew on me, to the point where (like some other devotees) my sister and I wore out the tape.
While I'd argue the point that Buttercup is "strong" (um, no, she is a total damsel in distress), I forgive her, because I love the story so damn much.

just the other night I was thinking what it would be like to be Buttercup before Westley's true identity is revealed. To have a man love me so much, to think that that love was betrayed and to feel such painful rage at my betrayal as to raise his fist to me ("from where I come from, there are penalties when a woman lies") - and I have to admit, it was a little exciting. To love so passionately, to feel such pain and rage that you hunt down your beloved - eesh, scary and just a little sexy all in one (at least, when there is a happy ending). But don't think too much about it, cuz then it gets creepy. like, what was he planning on doing with her if it turned out she did love Humperdink?
Still, "you mocked me once, never do it again! I died that day" is a great comeback. /rambling

Posted by: Stella at November 3, 2008 6:24 PM

Alicia, I had a Buttercup, too! I was 6, though. Loved that horse.
Jewel had a horse called Buttercup, as well. Don't ask me how I know that.

Posted by: jamiepants at November 3, 2008 6:42 PM

I have already stated my love for and devotion to this movie elsewhere. I would, however, like to point out that pseudo-Mr. AvB always, always stops what he's doing and watches this when I put it on. Also, he cries a little, and pretends he's not crying. Every time. It's freakin' adorable, and a goodly part of the reason he's alive today.

Posted by: Anna von Beaverplatz at November 3, 2008 7:08 PM

Wuv, true Wuv....

Posted by: will at November 3, 2008 7:58 PM

I love this movie so much The Hubs and I played it on a big screen in the background of our wedding reception. This movie only got BETTER for me when I read the (amazing, wonderful, hilarious, addictive) original novel by S. Morgenstern (adapted by William Goldman, who also wrote the screenplay). If you haven't read it, DO - if you have, don't spoil it for any newbies. Figuring out the hook is half the fun.



Tammy, unless I am misreading you, I believe you have misunderstood a piece of the awesomeness from the book. Morganstern is a fictional author, which Goldman (the actual author) uses as a narrative device as he pretends to be "abridging" the fictional, longer work. It allows for awesome things such as that one page chapter in which he skips the entire wedding preparation because he found it to be really boring, etc.



If you are just finding this out now, I suggest re-reading it with this knowledge. It's really clever.

If you KNEW this already, ignore me, and perhaps I have shed light on this awesome trickery for someone else.

Posted by: Joe Drago at November 3, 2008 8:04 PM

I'm on the not-so-wise side of the years of Pajiba readers, but I was blessed with fabulous geek parents. Over the course of my near 30 years on this Earth my family has gone to pretty much every science fiction/fantasy movie in existence, good or not. Our theory is that this will encourage writers, directors, and, of course, studios to put time and effort into quality science fiction/fantasy movies. (Oh, for the day Joss Whedon writes the screenplay to Bujold's Vorkosigan series.) This voting with our wallets resulted in some really awful movie experiences-- yes, my parents made me go to Battlefield Earth *still scarred*: crazy Scientologist, yes, but also scifi. One of my earlier memories is going to go see The Princess Bride in theaters at age 6. There wasn't a member of my family who didn't walk out of that theater with starry eyes and the knowledge that this would be an all-time great movie for our family.

Posted by: megaera at November 4, 2008 5:50 AM

This is my favourite movie of all time. Much love to the review! Strangely, the book left me rather cold.

So many great quotes!

"We'll never survive!"
"Nonsense. You're only saying that because nobody ever has."

Posted by: embertine at November 4, 2008 8:08 AM

I have never seen the Princess Bride, and the more people tell me that I need to watch the more I resist and tell myself I never will

Posted by: Brandon at November 5, 2008 8:23 AM

My hubby and I have been saying "As you wish" to each other for many, many years now. And it will always mean "I love you" Best movie ever.

Posted by: Darkling at November 6, 2008 8:42 AM

My first "Princess Bride" experience was perfect: I went to see it in the theater with a group of friends, back in high school. It remains one of my favorites. One of its charms I didn't see anyone else mention is the awesome soundtrack by Dire Straits' Mark Knopfler.

Posted by: Noelegy at November 8, 2008 9:07 PM

I get absolutely spastic chills at Iñigo's final confrontation with the Six-Fingered Man. I never thought I could love Mandy Patinkin more. And then I saw him as Rube on "Dead Like Me."

Posted by: Craig at November 9, 2008 12:00 AM

I've gone through several copies of the book. Kept loaning it out, and didn't always get it back.

It's now one of those movies my wife and I will always watch if it comes on tv. Yes, we own the DVD.

"I'm not left-handed either."

Posted by: Dave at November 13, 2008 12:02 PM

as with everyone else on here (except for brandon, if you really refuse to see the movie because everyone tells you to, you have no idea what you're missing out on! open your mind, dude), this is my favorite movie.

and i have to say that mandy patinkin came to my college junior year to do a concert and my friend and i went to go see him. his singing was worth the ticket price alone but at the end of the show, after the applause, he says:

"there is something i do at the end of every concert..." then, assuming a fencing stance he says:

"hello, my name is inigo montoya..."

the audience went ape shit.

my friend turned to me and said, "that just made my life"

Posted by: alm at November 13, 2008 7:46 PM

Well, that doesn't work. In this kind of situation, if you come to it you have to come to it on your own. One can't say "stop being stubborn and join us", however benign the intentions might be, though your delivery is pretty harsh. Otherwise you feel like you've cowed to a baying mob.

Yes, I have years of experience in being a recalcitrant contrarian.

Posted by: Jay at November 13, 2008 7:54 PM

No wonder we all love it.

Ummm... not all of us. After seeing it twice, I still find it only mildly entertaining. However, my husband adores it and our teenage son really enjoys it too.

Then again, I don't particularly like chocolate either.

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