Director: Rob Reiner
Starring: Robin Wright, Chris Sarandon and Wallace Shawn
‘A Captivating Classic’
Not many actresses in Hollywood has created a legacy as bright as Robin Wright. Ever since her rise to recognition in the 1990’s, Wright has become a beloved feminist icon. Whether it is princess warriors, sports players or childhood lovers, Wright has portrayed many compelling characters. Arguably, Wright’s finest strength as an actress has often been her commitment. She is one of those rare actresses that always pours her heart and soul into each role. Wright has never been afraid taking risks in her career by playing complex women that aren’t likeable. Through her strong desire to take risks, Wright has become an actress whose timeless movies audiences value. A commemorated actress with strong commitment to her craft, Wright has become a beloved icon in entertainment. Shining a bright light in pitch-black darkness, Wright has become a beloved actress with commemorated movies in the entertainment business. Throughout her illustrious career, the actress has produced many memorable films which are worth seeing.
I’m a huge fan of Wright and adore all the films which she has made in her career. However, “The Princess Bride” is my favourite. Following its release in 1987, Rob Reiner’s movie has stood the test of time as a classic. Packed with breathtaking production design, spellbinding storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the best fantasy movies ever made. At the centre of it all is a phenomenal performance by Robin Wright, who plays a bright princess in a tough situation. Ultimately, what makes “The Princess Bride” a fantasy classic is its timeless appeal. Unlike most movies created during the 1980’s which tend to be outdated, it has aged extremely well. It delivers a profound message about the value of reading books which would resonate with everyone. A captivating fantasy classic, there are several strong reasons why “The Princess Bride” is a movie which is worth seeing.
“The Princess Bride” tells a story of a princess with pride that seeks to become a bride. Robin Wright stars as Princess Buttercup, a beautiful woman with big dreams of romance. Buttercup has always dreamt of finding love. Buttercup’s huge dreams come true when she falls in love with Westley (Cary Elwes). Westley is a good-looking prince with a habit of getting himself in trouble. However, Buttercup’s romance comes to an end when she faces disaster. Buttercup is faced with evil pirates, menacing swordsmen and evil killers that threaten to tear her bonds apart from her lover. As all odds are stacked against her favour, Buttercup starts to wonder whether it’s possible for her to reunite with her lost lover. Adopting attitude of pride, Buttercup questions whether she will ever be able to be a bride.
Rob Reiner is a newcomer towards the fantasy genre. Before he directed “The Princess Bride”, the filmmaker had never made a movie about the lives of magical princesses. Reiner was known for making great films in the courtroom genre. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture the lives of princesses seeking to reunite with lovers but he succeeds immensely. Visually the movie is a stunning feast for the eyes. Reiner deftly uses montages to capture a princess embarking in a journey to discover her identity. Evoking Viktor Fleming’s “The Wizard of Oz”, Reiner effectively uses montages to capture a princess seeking to discover her identity. For instance, montages elevate the love scene. During this memorable scene, the princess falls in love with Westley. One appreciates the montages capturing tensions that women in doomed relationships are facing. Montages are tricky techniques to use in movies. As David Fincher’s “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” suggested, montages elevate iconic murder mystery movies. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Through spellbinding visuals, Reiner captures tensions princesses are facing.
Another admirable aspect of “The Princess Bride” that merits appreciation is production. From a technical perspective, it’s one of the most impressive fantasy films ever made. For a movie made in the 1980’s, the movie’s set design has aged beautifully. Throughout the movie, Reiner uses costumes to showcase the tensions that princesses are facing. The costumes play a pivotal role in conveying the personalities of characters in the movie. For instance, the costumes elevate the fight scene. During this memorable scene, the princess is saving from dangerous pirates by a heroic scavenger. Through captivating set design, Reiner creates majestic princesses that audiences can easily relate to. Moreover, the musical score is superb. Mark Knopfler’s commemorated music is key to the success of the movie. It gives the movie a tense atmosphere capturing the heavy burden that princesses bear. Using phenomenal production design, Reiner captures the lives of princesses that face a decline.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “The Princess Bride” is a captivating fantasy classic that’s compelling. The film is very well written, and deftly uses voice over narration to create a story that’s compelling. Reiner’s finest screenwriting strength is his abilities to create a captivating portrait of princess which face tension through using narration. For instance, narration elevates the opening scene. During this unforgettable scene, the grandfather tells his grandson the fairytale story of the princess bride by reading a storybook. One appreciates narration capturing the lives of princesses that face tension. Through this ingenious narration, Reiner created a compelling female character that audiences can easily relate to. Narration is a tricky technique to use in films. As Robert Zemeckis’ “Forrest Gump” demonstrated, the narration enhances commemorated movies about intellectual disabilities. Patty Jenkins’ “Wonder Woman” suggested narration elevates commemorated comic-book films about strong women. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this film. Through a spectacular screenplay, Reiner captures princesses facing a price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Robin Wright delivers one of her best career performances as Buttercup. Wright earned appreciation for playing lovers of men with intellectual disabilities. With “The Princess Bride”, however, she took on her most iconic role. This is the actress unlike you have ever seen her before: charming, funny and moving in her most memorable role. Wright has often had an aptitude for playing emotional women under intense stress, and “The Princess Bride” showcased her finest strengths as an actress. With riveting expressions, she captures angst, frustration and yearning of a princess seeking to reunite with her long lost lover. It’s a superb performance from one of the most celebrated actresses that’s currently working in the film industry today.
While the movie is mainly a stunning showcase for Robin Wright, the supporting cast is terrific and also worthy of recognition. Cary Elwes is captivating, capturing the bravery of a hero embarking on a perilous journey to reunite with a woman he loves dearly. Mandy Patinkin is magnificent, bringing charisma to a warrior that takes pride in his identity. Lastly, Wallace Shawn merits appreciation. As an authoritative leader, he brings a sense of authority to the movie.
Finally, “The Princess Bride” will definitely earn appreciation of everyone capturing princesses with prides. Unlike most movies made during the 1980’s which tend to be outdated, the film has aged beautifully. The film discusses strong themes including identity, marriage and grief which would resonate with everyone. Viewers aren’t required to be familiar with fantasy films to appreciate it. It delivers a powerful message about the importance of pursuing one’s dream that would resonate with everyone. Therefore, “The Princess Bride” is one of those rare one of a kind fantasy films which everyone would adore.
Fans of Robin Wright will definitely appreciate “The Princess Bride” and so will movie-goers seeking exhilarating entertainment. A riveting fantasy classic, it honours an actress that has built a legacy that’s iconic.
Nearly 40 years following the release of a groundbreaking film about princesses with pride seeking to become a bride, it’s a riveting reminder of an actress that has gained a huge fan following earning recognition for her abilities to portray strong women unforgettable movies which have always left audiences satisfied.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 