This isn't the fault of either Robin Wright Penn or Chris Sarandon, though. Despite being the protagonist and antagonist, respectively, Buttercup and Humperdinck aren't very proactive in the story. Of course, nothing is perfect and Princess Bride is no exception. As such, the film comes across more naturally than most entries in the fantasy genre. It presents its emotions, characters, and scenarios in a matter-of-fact way that doesn't manipulate its audience to react in a specific manner. Perhaps it's because it is almost shockingly unsentimental yet never cold. The film finds a skillful balance between humor and sincerity. While quite a bit of the material is tongue-in-cheek, it's done in a way that embraces its roots rather than deem itself above them the way most fantasy comedies today do. The tone and setting are what sell the fantasy aura to the audience. What's interesting to note is that while this is a fairy tale, hardly anything magical or fantastical occurs. The writing trusts itself and trusts the audience, never pandering or resorting to low-brow gags. It carries a sense of wit and whimsy about it that few films are able to duplicate. The script, William Goldman adapting his 1973 book, is probably the film's greatest strength. Its dialogue includes some of the most recognizable one-liners in pop culture, and for good reason. Whatever the case may be, Bride eventually gained an audience via home video and TV and has gone on to resonate with each new generation. Director Rob Reiner has laid the blame on the marketing department and its struggles in selling a film that tackles so many things at once. It's unclear exactly why it didn't grab audience's attention at the time of release. It's become well known how The Princess Bride entered and exited theaters with little fanfare. Buttercup soon finds this to be Westley, but various obstacles (ranging from Humperdinck's schemes to Rodents of Unusual Size) test the strength of their love for one another. Not long after the three have kidnapped Buttercup do they realize they're being followed by a mysterious masked man. They consist of Vizzini (Wallace Shawn), a lisping Italian with a short temper, Inigo Montoya (Mandy Patinkin), a swashbuckling Spaniard obsessed with avenging his father's death, and Fezzik (André the Giant), a hulking behemoth who prefers rhyme-making over violence. The assassins hired for the task are less than well-equipped. Unbeknownst to her, however, is how Humperdinck plans on murdering her and framing it on the neighboring kingdom to start a war. When Westley is thought to be killed by the Dread Pirate Roberts, Buttercup attempts to move on with her life by accepting the proposal of Prince Humperdinck (Chris Sarandon). The Princess Bride is slightly off-kilter fairy tale (also known as a "fractured fairy tale") about a proud young woman named Buttercup (Robin Wright Penn) and her relationship with the stable boy Westley (Cary Elwes). One of the more famous examples of the latter class is Rob Reiner's 1987 film The Princess Bride. Likewise, there have been countless films that couldn't even break even but manage to remain pop culture fixtures through the years. There have been dozens of movies that broke multiple records yet received poor reviews and were forgotten about a year later. No matter how often the studios brag about them, box office receipts do not equal quality. Theatrical Release: Septem/ Running Time: 98 Minutes / Rating: PGĭirector: Rob Reiner / Writer: William GoldmanĬast: Cary Elwes (Westley), Mandy Patinkin (Inigo Montoya), Chris Sarandon (Prince Humperdinck), Christopher Guest (Count Rugen), Wallace Shawn (Vizzini), Andre the Giant (Fezzik), Fred Savage (The Grandson), Robin Wright (Buttercup the Princess Bride), Peter Falk (The Grandfather), Peter Cook (The Impressive Clergyman), Mel Smith (The Albino), Carol Kane (Valerie), Billy Crystal (Miracle Max)īuy The Princess Bride from : 20th Anniversary DVD
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