★★★☆☆ (6/10)
As a film buff, it's not easy to admit having not seen classics that millions of others have seen and loved. "The Princess Bride" was part of a growing list of classic films I still need to get around to, such as "The Thing" and "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan." (Is it a coincidence that most of the list is comprised of 80s movies?) Though I may not be too proud to be way behind the hype train for some of these films, it's actually fascinating to be the one receiving movie recommendations. Hearing others' passion for certain films is as genuinely pleasing as it is to tell others of my own. Yet in the case of Rob Reiner's comedic fantasy, I can't help but feel I have been mislead. "The Princess Bride" is a sweet film through and through, but it shows quite a bit of age that stales its charm.
After the beautiful Buttercup (Robin Wright) loses the love of her life, Westley (Cary Elwes), she reluctantly agrees to marry Prince Humperdinck (Chris Sarandon). Days before the wedding, the Princess Bride is kidnapped by a trio of bandits; the conniving Vizzini (Wallace Shawn), the towering Fezzik (André the Giant), and Spanish swordsman Inigo Montoya (Mandy Patinkin).The four are soon followed by a mysterious man in black. What follows is a series of adventures filled with heroism, deceit, romance, revenge, and even laughter.
Reiner, best known for "Stand By Me," "Misery" and "A Few Good Men," is not a director of flair and fancy. There's something remarkably straightforward about his work, but here, his style cripples the fairy tale qualities of the film (not to mention the comedic elements as well). The fantasy setting is sorely lacking a distinctive personality; most characters look like rejects from the set of "Monty Python and the Holy Grail." One does get the sense that Reiner may have been aiming for such, since he attempts to have it both ways with old-fashioned storytelling and genre satire. I imagine this must've worked for audiences back in 1987, but the overall effect has diminished, leaving "The Princess Bride" a shell of its former self.
If there's anything that still makes the film worth watching after all these years, it would have to be Reiner's fine ensemble of performers. Having finally heard Wallace Shawn repeat the word "inconceivable" in context, I understand now why it will never fade away. Patinkin's work as Inigo Montoya also earns its place in annals of film history, as does that vengeful phrase of his (you know which one). Elwes is perfectly cast as Westley, combining deadpan wit with swashbuckling enchantment. Errol Flynn would've been proud.
It's easy to see why some might remember this film, but the reasons why it has gone on to become such a classic escape me. (I can hear the cries of outrage from the fans already.) "The Princess Bride" is by no means a bad film, nor is it a weak film; it just isn't that great. It's an admirable bedtime story with the purest intentions, yet it doesn't quite stand the test of time, something that the great fairy tales manage to do without any difficulty.
