Magical Story, But Not Magical Movie !

Rating: Null/10 (30 September 2008)

The best thing (William Goldman), the respectable screenwriter, ever did in this fairytale which he created, was the way he told it. Look at the boy's room; it has all the details of consumerism around him. So when the grandfather comes with the book, it's one wicked invitation to read again in a cold, sick, and narrow world that has no reading, true knowledge, or moralities of heroism. We all live in this room, waiting for grandpa and his book to get us out. But while being a movie about the magic of the story, it didn't have any magic further than its story!
It's a little book of children; with no big stars, or big budget. In terms of the budget in specific, look at the movie's sets. According to some of them, like the Fire Swamp, I thought I was watching a fantasy-spoof! In brief, it has very naive look. Some saw that as a loyalty to the simplicity of being a children book, not a typical Hollywood blockbuster; hence felt rare magic. And some saw that as simply poor; hence felt frustration. I'm with the second team!
Director (Rob Reiner) tried to master grand aesthetic cadres, and tough swords' duels, evoking all the innocent ventures for the kid in us. Though, there was some slackness, as if (Reiner) was making an old swashbuckler movie, and by its technique too. Sometimes I felt the inactivity of the postal cards more than the vitality of the fantasy adventure. It left its powerful marks on the sequence of breaking into the palace near the end.
And let's not forget the movie's top problem; (Cary Elwes). His charisma isn't radiant, his performance is so frigid to an extent that makes you fidget, and generally he was something between (Errol Flynn)'s look-alike and (Errol Flynn)'s parody. Actually, considering (Elwes)'s weakness, putting him in the shadow of (Flynn)'s character in (The Adventures of Robin Hood - 1938), was an ugly irony that enfeebled the whole thing. His first 3 scenes were the last good effort he did here!
I didn't like the climax. It was so rapid, and the real hero of it was (Mandy Patinkin) as (Inigo Montoya), whereas (Westley) triumphs just by the power of being weasel. Maybe (Goldman) wanted to assure the ability of the word as well as the illusion, just like the ability of the grandfather, as the storyteller, through the story itself. However, wrapping it up like that was betrayal to the entire legacy of tales we heard, and movies we watched; where climax must be hot, thrilling, and satisfying. Otherwise, why they call it "climactic" for God's sake?!!
Although (Mark Knopfler)'s "Storybook Love" at the closing credits almost defined the finale's romantic dreamy song in the movies from the 1980s till now, but his music score was evident shortcoming. It's a standard soundtrack for a school play or a home-made movie. Well, the insistence of this movie to be poor is just weird. The only logical explanation is that they mistook poorness for innocence!
On the bright side, (Reiner) led his cast rightly, achieving tangible wittiness. (Robin Wright Penn) is the princess bride in person; a clever image that jumped from a good old fairytale. She looked, especially when it comes to her voice, like one of Disney's classic cartoon heroines, yet with unique tenderness and vibrant feelings. However, her acting lacked distinct personality. (André the Giant) was perfect as live cartoon character, and did great job as (Fezzik). (Billy Crystal) and (Carol Kane) were so funny, I didn't recognize (Crystal) at first sight, but his signature voice, way of talking, and shortness uncovered him. Clearly he was enjoying himself to the utmost through (Miracle Max). (Peter Falk) is priceless; while doing nearly 40 movies in cinema, I've always felt that he should have made more, to bewitch us with his genius the way he did with (Lt. Columbo) in TV.
The 1980s had festive banquet of fantasies such as (Time Bandits - 1981), (The Flight of Dragons - 1982), (Krull - 1983), (Ladyhawke - 1985), or (Willow - 1988). They were innocent dreams, and lacking the 2000s crazy budgets, hyped CGI, and endless sequels--makes them even more innocent for today's viewer. But while (The Princess Bride) is innocent, it is also poor; in many senses of the word. It's a case of a movie where the script is its highest element.
So when the kid in the end asks his grandfather to read it all again, and the grandfather replays enchantingly: "As you wish"; it's the real substance of this movie. It is author (William Goldman)'s homage to the story as the authentic magic. So disappointing that that meaning didn't have some cinematic magic to support it.