The Princess Bride is playing at The Screening Room on March 11, 2012 at 1:30pmHere is my review published in The Heritage Newspaper on November 4, 1987:
The Princess Bride is one of the year's best. Directed by Rob Reiner, it has wit, style and grace. There has not been a movie quite like this one in a long time.
The screenplay by William Goldman based on his own book captures the magic and myth of a fairytale. Anyone who has had someone read to them as a youngster will be able to appreciate the film's sense of humour.
It is the director's penchant for making a superb send-up of the costume epic that will endear old movie buffs to the glory days of Hollywood when Sir Lancelot, Robin Hood and King Richard rode on the screen. To any fathers and grandfathers, this may be a nostalgic trip back in time.
Set in a period when romance and chivalry mattered and good triumphed evil, it opens with the arrival of Grandfather (Peter Falk) who has come to read to his grandson (Fred Savage) the story you are about to see.
Adrian Biddle's picturesque photography catches your eye as you hear about a girl who has secretly fallen in love with her handsome servant. When tragedy prevents the two of them from a long-lasting friendship, she accepts Prince Humperdinck's (Chris Sarandon) proposal of marriage. After all, this is a fairy tale and she is the fairest of them all.
To add a little fun, there is a subplot about the Spaniard Inigo Montoya (Mandy Patinkin) who is out to avenge his father's cruel death by a man who has six fingers.
Cary Elwes leads a fine supporting cast as Westly, the romantic hero, while newcomer Robin Wright plays Buttercup.
Falk is perfectly cast and as you watch him read with such relish and excitement he is able to get his grandson easily hooked as you are.
There are some interesting cameos to brighten up the plot: Wallace Shawn (My Dinner With Andre) is Vizzini, Andre The Giant is Fezzik, Billy Crystal is Miracle Max, and Carol Kane is Valerie.
Peter Cook stands out as the clergyman who attempts to marry Humperdinck and Buttercup.
Reiner expertly blends the action sequences with the comic bits to make an entertaining romp.
Mark Knopfler of Dire Straits fame is responsible for the music score.
Filmed in England and Ireland, The Princess Bride is an enchanting motion picture.
It is rated PG/Parental Guidance.
November 4, 1987
Copyright Rick Jackson 1987
