Equal parts comedy and action, THE PRINCESS BRIDE is unique in that it skewers its genre while firmly being a great edition to the genre. The comedy is as slyly subtle as director Rob Reiner's other great comedy THIS IS SPINAL TAP. Based on his own novel, William Goldman's script balances the elements of fantasy, romance and comedy so deftly that each element fits perfectly together and work often equally in the same scene. With only a single Oscar nomination for Best Original Song, the Academy has a blight on its record; for this classic tale is one of the best of all time in so many genres it seems unfair to other films.
Starting with a modern framework, a grandfather (Peter Falk, TV's COLUMBO) reads the fantasy story to his sick grandson (Fred Savage, TV's THE WONDER YEARS). The young boy is reluctant about the story at first because he believes it will be a kissing book, but as the adventure covers kidnappings, sword play, giants, poisoning, screaming eels, deadly forests, albinos, pits of despair, magicians and much more, he begins to warm to the tale. The story begins with the beautiful Buttercup (Robin Wright Penn, FORREST GUMP) ordering around the farm boy Westley (Cary Elwes, SAW), who responds to her every request with "as you wish." Soon the handsome duo fall in love, but Buttercup is devastated when she hears the news that Westley was murdered at the hands of the Dread Pirate Roberts.
Though still in love with her farm boy, after five years, Buttercup is betrothed to the pompous Prince Humperdinck (Chris Sarandon, CHILD'S PLAY). One day on a horse ride in the forest, she is kidnapped by the arrogant Vizzini (Wallace Shawn, MY DINNER WITH ANDRE) and his hired thugs — the master swordsman Inigo Montoya (Mandy Patinkin, TV's CHICAGO HOPE) and the gentle giant Fezzik (famed wrestler Andre the Giant). On the way to their destination, they will have a run in with the Dread Pirate Roberts as well.
As with many great films, to point out the highlights is to point out all scenes. However, many of the scenes from this film have entered the pop culture. Who doesn't know, "My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die," as the call of the vengeful Spaniard to the six fingered man (Christopher Quest, WAITING FOR GUFFMAN). Who doesn't remember Miracle Max (Billy Crystal, WHEN HARRY MET SALLY…) bickering over the value of bringing a "mostly" dead man back to life, and then his wife Valerie (Carol Kane, TV's TAXI) calling him on his insecurities. Or who doesn't remember Miracle Max's good-bye to the heroes — Have fun _________. You know you can fill in the blank. Who can forget the devilish glint in the eye of the Albino (Mel Smith, EUROPEAN VACATION) as he carries out his torturous deeds? And is The Impressive Clergyman (Peter Cook, BEDAZZLED) really all that impressive.
The cast is perfect. Elwes' great timing and good looks are necessary for the material to work at all, and he delivers remarkable in a role that would have gone disastrously wrong if he played the part for camp and not with sardonic wit as he does so well. Wright Penn, who was only Wright at the time this film was produced, gives Buttercup an heir of royalty that slips into a willful strength, making her damsel in distress more than one would expect. Patinkin makes his drunken swordsman determined and confident, but we love him because he is fair. Andre the Giant is remarkably charming. I wish he had acted more in film every time I watch this film. Shawn handles Vizzini with a Napoleonic verve that drives his famous monologue where he faces off with the Dread Pirate Roberts. And finally one cannot forget to mention the performances of the heavily make-uped Crystal and Cane who walk away with their scenes, which are the funniest in a very funny film.
A classic in family entertainment, because it works so well on two levels. Kids will be taken away by the adventure and love story as their parents laugh out loud.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
