Quartile rating: 8.5/10 · 3 ratings
In this enchantingly cracked fairy tale, the beautiful Princess Buttercup and the dashing Westley must overcome staggering odds to find happiness amid six-fingered swordsmen, murderous princes, Sicilians and rodents of unusual size. But even death can't stop these true lovebirds from triumphing.
The Princess Bride is a singular achievement in self-aware fairy tale filmmaking — its irreverent, meta-textual wit and warm heart are utterly distinctive. The cast is exceptional across the board, from Cary Elwes and Robin Wright to scene-stealers like Mandy Patinkin and Wallace Shawn, delivering perfectly calibrated comic and romantic performances. The ending is deeply satisfying, delivering on every emotional and comedic promise the film sets up. Novelty is high because the film's specific voice — simultaneously parodying and earnestly celebrating the swashbuckler genre — is genuinely one of a kind. Cinematography is competent and charming but not especially distinguished. The plot, while cleverly constructed, leans on familiar fairy tale scaffolding and doesn't quite transcend it structurally.