Post subject: Movie of the Week #46: The Princess Bride
Posted: Tue Nov 06, 2007 1:48 pm
Epitome of cool
Joined: Sun Dec 05, 2004 5:47 am Posts: 27904 Location: Philadelphia Gender: Male
The Princess Bride (1987): Directed by Rob Reiner
After our (interrupted) October of horror movies, I figured now would be a good time for a movie that is a change of pace from werewolves, boogeymen and demons. Hence this week we have The Princess Bride, a sometimes corny but overall fun little movie that is as entertaining and valuable for adults as it is for kids. It's a modern cinematic classic - a fairy tale with great performances, an intriguing (albeit formulaic) plot, a beautiful and sometimes rousing music score, and lots of good spirit. It really is a blast for anyone and everyone.
What makes the film so appealing is how likable the good guys are. Credit to William Goldman, who adapted the screenplay from his own book (written for his daughters), for giving each character their own way of speaking. Whether it's Vizzini's constant use of the word "inconceivable," Fezzik's rhyming, or Westley's "As you wish," all of the characters have their own linguistic nuances that not only set them apart and make them unique, but often times throw comedy into the mix. And of course, there's Inigo Montoya's often-quoted line: "My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die." The scene in which he confronts his father's murderer is suspenseful, energetic and claustrophobic all at once. Director Reiner pushes all the right buttons, but never goes to the same trick too often.
If you're unfamiliar with the movie and just read the plot outline or glance at the cast on its IMDb page, you're not likely to think The Princess Bride is anything special. You couldn't be more wrong. This was a sleeper of a movie 20 years ago; it didn't really find an audience until it hit video and cable, but the audience it found was more than receptive and has made it extremely popular to both the average movie-goer and critics alike. The plot is sprawling, yet somehow focused, which is why I'm hard-pressed to give a synopsis of the film (as if it really needs it, anyway). This is escapism at its best, and by the time the grandfather's final "As you wish" rings through your ears, you'll be glad you rode with this journey all the way through.
Post subject: Re: Movie of the Week #46: The Princess Bride
Posted: Tue Nov 06, 2007 1:57 pm
Supersonic
Joined: Sun Oct 17, 2004 3:02 pm Posts: 10690 Location: Lost in Twilight's Blue
This is a fun little movie, and one of my wife's all time favorites. Suffice to say I've seen it more than a few times.
How could you do the write up without talking about the ROUS though frank?
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Post subject: Re: Movie of the Week #46: The Princess Bride
Posted: Tue Nov 06, 2007 2:01 pm
Epitome of cool
Joined: Sun Dec 05, 2004 5:47 am Posts: 27904 Location: Philadelphia Gender: Male
Dude, there are so many clever and/or cool parts of this movie that if I started, I wouldn't know where to stop. As I said in the header post, you just have to see it. You can't really put it into words. Or at least I can't.
_________________ It's always the fallen ones who think they're always gonna save me.
Post subject: Re: Movie of the Week #46: The Princess Bride
Posted: Tue Nov 06, 2007 5:19 pm
Unthought Known
Joined: Thu Dec 02, 2004 6:08 pm Posts: 8255
denverapolis wrote:
this is movie of the week? inconceivable!!
You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.
_________________ “You’re good kids, stay together. Trust each other and be good teammates to one another. I believe there is a championship in this room.”
-Ernie Accorsi in his final address to the NY Giants locker room before retiring as GM in January of 2007
Post subject: Re: Movie of the Week #46: The Princess Bride
Posted: Tue Nov 06, 2007 9:08 pm
Unthought Known
Joined: Sun Oct 17, 2004 1:55 am Posts: 9080 Location: Londres
Definitely my favourite among the MOTWs so far. Reminds of a lot of the Simpsons, in how the side characters just seem sooooo much richer than the central ones. Westley and Buttercup aren't very good characters, but wow, all the others around them are absolutely brilliant!
Post subject: Re: Movie of the Week #46: The Princess Bride
Posted: Tue Nov 06, 2007 9:41 pm
Former PJ Drummer
Joined: Fri Jun 03, 2005 1:32 am Posts: 17563
I always used to forget about the framing device, though. The whole Fred Savage bit seems like it was designed to allow his name to be used to get the kids in the theaters.
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Post subject: Re: Movie of the Week #46: The Princess Bride
Posted: Tue Nov 06, 2007 10:34 pm
Unthought Known
Joined: Thu Dec 02, 2004 6:08 pm Posts: 8255
bart d. wrote:
I always used to forget about the framing device, though. The whole Fred Savage bit seems like it was designed to allow his name to be used to get the kids in the theaters.
he wasn't a name actor at the time.
_________________ “You’re good kids, stay together. Trust each other and be good teammates to one another. I believe there is a championship in this room.”
-Ernie Accorsi in his final address to the NY Giants locker room before retiring as GM in January of 2007
Post subject: Re: Movie of the Week #46: The Princess Bride
Posted: Tue Nov 06, 2007 10:38 pm
Former PJ Drummer
Joined: Fri Jun 03, 2005 1:32 am Posts: 17563
Ricardo Tubbs wrote:
bart d. wrote:
I always used to forget about the framing device, though. The whole Fred Savage bit seems like it was designed to allow his name to be used to get the kids in the theaters.
he wasn't a name actor at the time.
Hmm, you're right. I thought Vice Versa and Little Monsters came out before this one, but imdb tells me otherwise.
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