A die-hard fan.

Rating: Null/10 (23 November 2001)

Let's get the very obvious out of the way immediately. Cary Elwes is gorgeous, perhaps in this movie more than anywhere else.
Having said that, let's move on to the meat of the film.
It must be understood that "The Princess Bride" is, first and forever, my favorite book. William Goldman's brilliant masterpiece has been lovingly transferred from the page to the screen with only some necessary changes, and the result is a charming, fun-for-the-whole-family cinematic joy ride. Rob Reiner may be Meathead to a lot of people, but to me he'll always be the guy who gave us this movie.
Buttercup (a young Robin Wright Penn, in her first starring role) is a beautiful girl who one day realizes that Westley (Elwes), the young man who does the grunt work around her farm, is in love with her. Not only that, but she's in love with him too. Before they can be married, he sets off to America to make his fortune and is promptly abducted and murdered by the Dread Pirate Roberts. Deeply shattered, Buttercup reluctantly consents to be the bride of hunting-obsessed Prince Humperdinck (Chris Sarandon), heir to the throne of their native Florin.
It's a story within a story, actually. A wizened grandfather (endearingly played by Peter "Columbo" Falk) is reading the novel to his ill grandson (Fred "Wonder Years" Savage), whose vivid imagination produces the visuals of the movie. As the story strengthens the bond between the two of them, we get to enjoy Buttercup's up and down adventures en route to her wedding day to the prince. She gets kidnapped. She gets stolen from her kidnappers by another apparent kidnapper. Marvelous performances are delivered by such Hollywood notables as Wallace Shawn, Mandy Patinkin, Christopher Guest, and the late, great Andre the Giant. Show-stealing cameos are given by Billy Crystal as Miracle Max, the disgruntled wizard-of-sorts, and Carol Kane as his witchy wife, Valerie. The late Peter Cook puts in a brief but unforgettable appearance as an ancient bishop with a speech impediment.
Do they live happily ever after? Do we find out what really became of Buttercup's true love? Is there anything better than a nice MLT (mutton, lettuce, and tomato sandwich)? If you don't already know, I think it's time you found out!