The Princess Bride
directed by
Rob Reiner
Robin Wright
Cary Elwes
In lockdown, you need something to watch that everyone
in the family can view and enjoy. Ho
hum. Most of the time, family viewing - a
G rating - means some sappy, animated feature with lots of twirling and
singing. No!
Quarantine is stressful enough without that
kind of imposition.
But, it’s true, we need something that kids can watch
without adults cringing, and at the same time, something the adults can
actually, really, no kidding, get caught up in, laugh along with, and be glad
they tuned in.
That movie is The Princess Bride. Doesn’t matter if you’ve already seen
it. Watch it again. Doesn’t matter if your kids are grown and out
of the house. Watch it again.
You've never seen it!? Inconceivable! Made in 1987 and, as we say, it holds up.
Let’s survey a few of the selling points of this
timeless fable.
- PeterFalk, patient and wise, with just a touch of curmudgeonliness, as the
grandfather who reads the story to his grandson, home sick in bed.
- FredSavage, as the grandson, at his most adorable age 11.
- RobinWright in the title role. It’s her film
debut at 21, before she was a glint in Sean Penn’s eye.
- MandyPatinkin as Inigo Montoya out to avenge his father’s death.
- Andrethe Giant, oh yes, Andre the Giant as Fezzia, Montoya’s companion. Look for the scenes where Andre puts his
hands on Elwes’s head – just for size comparison. Astonishing!
- CaryElwes, Chris Sarandon, Christopher Guest, Billy Crystal, Carol Kane, and
Wallace Shawn. All written as memorable,
funny characters, wholesome or despicable, all fun to watch.
Fencing, fighting, torture, revenge, giants, monsters,
chases, escapes, true love, miracles…
OK, what more do you want? It’s fun; it’s funny; it’s heartwarming; it’s
a good story, for Pete’s sake!
Oh, sure, you’ll find more sophisticated fare in the
movie world. More complex characters and plot
twists galore. There are deeper films,
more profound. Films just as good and by
other measures, better. But on the scale
of satisfying, lasting fun, nothing can beat The Princess Bride.
Six
Degrees of Kevin Bacon
Robin
Wright in Forrest Gump with Tom Hanks
Tom
Hanks in Apollo 13 with Kevin Bacon
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