In Memory of Rob Reiner (1947-2025)
On December14, 2025, something terrible has happened! Legendary director Rob Reiner and his wife were murdered by his son! In honor of him, I revisited two of his best films, This is Spinal Tap, and The Princess Bride. I have yet to revisit Stand By Me, When Harry Met Sally, Misery, and The American President and I plan to watch The Sure Thing and A Few Good Men, but if I had to pick a favorite, it would be his 1987 fantasy, The Princess Bride.
Based on the book by William Goldman, who also wrote the screenplay, the movie opens with a kindly old grandfather (Peter Falk) who reads a storybook for his sick grandson (pre-Wonder Years Fred Savage). Then the movie establishes its fairy tale setting where the beautiful Princess Buttercup (Robin Wright) falls in love with a farmhand named Westly (Cary Elwes). After Westly was presumed to be killed by pirates, Buttercup is forced to marry the vain and egotistical Prince Humperdinck (Chris Sarandon). Buttercup runs away from her kingdom, but was captured by a notorious criminal (Wallace Shawn) and his two henchmen, a Spanish swordsman who wants to avenge his father's death (Mandy Patinkin), and a giant with a heart of gold (Andre the Giant). Westly survives the pirate attack, dresses up and fights like one, and saves Buttercup. Now Buttercup has two choices, will she marry the evil Prince Humperdinck, or will she stay with the true love of her life, Westly?
This movie works on any level. It works as a fairy tale, a romance, a comedy, and an adventure film. But the most special and important quality is that while the movie is made for kids, it doesn't talk down to them. It treats the audience with the utmost respect with its memorable characters, great sense of humor, heartwarming romance, and its adventurous story. This is my personal favorite film from Rob Reiner and it's a shame that we lost him. May he rest in peace!
NOTE: Sorry for another year where I haven't written an article in a year due to my busy schedule, but I promise that I will be more active in 2026!
No comments:
Post a Comment