The Princess Bride ***1/2 (out of 5) (1987)

Cast: Cary Elwes, Mandy Patinkin, Chris Sarandon, Christopher Guest, Wallace Shawn

Directed by Rob Reiner

 


A sick young boy gets a visit from his grandfather, who reads the young lad one of his favorite books, THE PRINCESS BRIDE. The book is of a princess named Buttercup, who has a romance with her stable boy, but the evil Prince Humperdinck has plans to marry the beautiful young woman so he kidnaps her, leaving Buttercup to think Westly the stableboy dead. Westley assumes the role of the Dread Pirate Roberts and makes his return to save the princess before the marriage, but the task appears a bit more difficult than he planned.

A highly enjoyable romantic fairy tale comedy, with a terrific supporting cast and many memorable scenes and quotes. Reiner does a masterful job at balancing the fine line between comedy and drama, never losing the lighthearted tone even when people die. Mandy Patinkin is outstanding as the vengeful Inigo Montoya, who's main mission in life is to avenge the death of his father at the hands of a six-fingered assassin. It's not all great, with a little too much emphasis on Jewish characterizations that we've seen too many times to still laugh at, but the film is still quite entertaining and young children will probably love it.


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