A bright, sunny afternoon — my parents were gone on a weekend retreat, and my brothers and I were left at home under the care of my Tia (meaning aunt, in Spanish). After quoting the movie non-stop all morning, we all decided that we needed to see it again that night. But not only see it again, we also needed to own a physical copy. So we all piled into a car and spent the vast majority of the afternoon going from store to store all over town, until finally we found it, bought it and went home happy to watch this classic film.
For as long as I can remember, I have said on numerous occasions that I was raised on this movie. To this day, I cannot pinpoint the exact moment when I saw "The Princess Bride" for the first time. My aunt was always quoting it. My siblings and I would always reference it. To us, the movie has always been a classic, a masterpiece.
The story is a fairy tale, set in a far-off imaginary land. True, the ending is predictable, and the themes are cliches, but that's just the thing about "The Princess Bride." It is beautiful in its simplicity, and the wit is in the dialogue.
Even if you've never seen the movie, you are bound to have come across some of the lines at one point in time or another. The short and witty quips and the vocal sparring are the essence and backbone of the greatness of "The Princess Bride." Such iconic phrases include, "Have fun storming the castle," "mostly dead," "to the pain," "as you wish," "Rodents of Unusual Size," and who could ever forget the oft-recited: "My name is Inigo Montoya, you killed my father, prepare to die." The flawless dialogue is just one of the reasons this film has remained just as popular now as it was back in its release in 1987.
Yet, in between all of the comical and witty comments written into the script, valuable, necessary and important life lessons are infused into this seemingly simple tale.
The reality of life is brought into reflection as Westley snaps at Buttercup, "Life is pain, Highness, anyone who says differently is selling something." And it is true, life can be painful. It can hurt you, sadden you, tear you down and and crash all around. Yet it is how we react, what we choose to do in spite of the pain, that will decide where our lives end up. You have to find something to live for. As Westley lays "mostly dead" in the presence of Miracle Max, the miracle worker asks of him, "What you got here that's worth living for?" to which Westley responds groggily, "true love." True love. That which is the main focus, the main ongoing thread that propels the story forward takes multiple forms. The friendship, the platonic love between Inigo and Fezzic, the familial love between Grandfather and Grandson as he tells the young boy this timeless tale, the bond of love and honor that drives Inigo to avenge his beloved father's murder, and of course, the timeless true love between Westley and Buttercup are all types of love that give the characters something to live for, something to fight for and something to even die for. Love, in all its forms, is a necessity for the story, as well as reality. Life may be pain at times, but love is a "noble cause worth living for."
And, as every self-respecting fairy tale ought, good always wins in the end. Inigo, Fezzik and Westley save the day, the evil Count Rugen gets whats coming to him, Prince Humperdinck's plan is thwarted and Buttercup and Westley ride off into the sunrise. Love prevails, and Good Wins, which is a reminder each and every one of us need in our world, especially today. Life is pain, but if love is chosen, then good wins. Its as simple as saying, "As you wish."
