I recently watched Somewhere in Time and was not impressed after all the build-up about it. The friend who recommended it excused my not liking it by saying that she doesn't like The Princess Bride. This got me wondering how anyone could dislike such a classic movie. Bear in mind, the first time I saw TPB, I didn't like it much either. I was a kid at the time and the ROUS scared me and I didn't like the whole death-by-water-machine idea. However, when I went to college, I started to watch TPB more often and couldn't get enough of it! I don't know how to adequately explain why TPB has become such a phenomenon and why it's loved by so many people. A few years ago, I found out that my in-laws had never seen it (gasp!) and I rectified that immediately! They also loved it. When I was watching it with them, I kept noticing all these inconsistencies, but I still loved it anyway. As a way to pay tribute to such a fabulous flick, I've decided to make a list of what I like best about it.
(Spoilers ahead, in case you haven't seen the movie yet.)
1. The lines. TPB is one of the easiest movies to quote. There are some classic and/or hilarious lines that I love saying all the time. "Never go in against a Sicilian when death is on the line!" "Mawwaige is the institution that bwings us togevah today." "You keep using that word. I don't think it means what you think it means." "Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die." "As you wish." "I'm not a witch, I'm your wife!" The list goes on....
2. Inigo's revenge plot. He's been waiting so many years to slay the six-fingered man who killed his father and when he finally does it, it's hard not to stand up and cheer!
3. Fred Savage as the little boy listening to the story. He's so not into fairy tales and doesn't want anything mushy like kissing, but when he gets all into it by the end, it's adorable! It makes me glad my children like to read and listen to stories.
4. Robin Wright as Buttercup. She's such an unknown actress at the time but the role just works for her and she plays it so well. Even when I see her now, I keep thinking "That's Buttercup." She's iconic for that role!
5. Cary Elwes as Westley. The same thing about Robin Wright applies here too. He even wrote a book about being in the movie and it comes out this fall. I definitely want to read it!
6. The late, great Andre the Giant. He's supposed to be one of the bad guys, but then he turns nice and he's just so lovable and funny.
7. Romance. One of the cinematic love stories that it is easy to get behind and fall in love with, as well.
8. Humor. So many funny scenes, lines, ideas, etc. One of the best is still Buttercup's dream with the old lady yelling "Booooooo!" And the interaction between Miracle Max and Valerie is priceless!
These are amongst the many reasons I love The Princess Bride. Feel free to share your reasons too! (Or your favorite lines. I'm not picky!)
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
I love The Princess Bride! I need to find my copy. That can be the next movie Natalie watches. She's never seen it.
Inconceivable! ;) By far one of my favorite movies. I don't often watch a movie more than once, but this is a movie I can watch over and over and it never gets old for me. Great post! p.s. I had no idea Elwes wrote a book about his experience making TPB! I'll be sure to read that book!
Post a Comment