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The Princess Bride at 20: Life is still pain, HighnessIs there anyone out there who doesn’t love The Princess Bride? Inconceivable! The fanciful fairy tale had humor and heart, love and lunacy, swashbuckling and silliness. Plus it boasted some of the most hilarious, not to mention most oft-repeated, movie lines in the history of movie lines. If you don’t smile even a little when your friend busts out her best “Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father — prepare to die!” then perhaps we shouldn’t be friends. Seriously, scoot away. [Side note: If we should ever meet on the street, ask me to do my lispy priest impression. It kills: “Mawage, that bwessed awangment, that dweam wifin a dweam…”]
So when I read that this September will mark the classic’s 20th anniversary, I felt two things. 1) So very old. The fact that two of the most cherished movies from my childhood turned 20 this year is a reminder that my continually forgetting where I parked my car is not a sign that I’ve grown flaky, just senile. And 2) Happy that they never made a sequel. Wait, wait. Stop throwing Rodents of Unusual Size at me. Trust me, I would love to see the continued adventures of Buttercup, Westley, Inigo and Fezzik. But I fear that the magic and innocent abandon of the original could never be matched.
Also, I saw these then-and-now shots compiled by ABC News and was reminded that time, indeed, is after us all. So, what's the damage? I have to say, I think the ladies fared better than the men. A few highlights:
Robin Wright Penn/Buttercup
Age has helped Robin grow into the exquisite architecture of her face. Laugh lines and a few crow's feet show a princess who has become a queen. I would gladly do as she wished.
Fred Savage/The Grandson
Basically, he looks exactly the same, though I’m assuming that front tooth has grown in. Seeing Fred reminds me of The Wonder Years, which reminds me of Winnie, which reminds me that Kevin Arnold was an idiot.
Billy Crystal/Miracle Max
Uhm, Billy, might I suggest you grow back the beard?
Carol Kane/Valerie
I’m not a witch, I’m your wife! Sorry, once full-blown Princess Bride quote-itis sets in, it's nearly incurable. Carol still looks fantastic and fun. And she is showing off her environmental side by recycling the same earrings from two decades ago.
Carey Elwes/Westley
Oh Westley, Westley. This one hurts. You were so dreamy in your Dread Pirate Roberts gear, it even worked on me. And now it seems your storybook story involved eating giant bowls of spaghetti on your couch while complaining about the lingering back injury you got from being thrown down that hill. I must now go weep in the Pit of Despair. Submitted by on July 20, 2007 - 9:32am. |
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News, Reviews & Commentary on Lesbian and Bisexual women in Entertainment and the Media
Awesome Article
The terseness of your wit had me in stitches. A truly enjoyable read.
"..this year is a reminder that my continually forgetting where I parked my car is not a sign that I’ve grown flaky, just senile" - had me in stitches....still lmao (in the most humorous of ways of course - certainly not about your age..lol) And may I say that I beg to differ on that Ms. Snarker - if you can still deliver such great lines and put out such enjoyable and well-written articles, then I'll say you still have the jump on the senility thing and I'm all the more happy as a result.
Robin Wright
Westley
From one senile old broad to another,
You've made my day. The Princess Bride is, quite simply, the perfect movie. I've seen it more times than I care to recount, and I cry every. single. time. at the scene where Inigo kicks Count Rugen's butt and tells him, "I want my father back, you son of a bitch." Ah, man. Sounds like I'll be renting it (again) this weekend.
And wuv, tru wuv, will fowow you foweva...
Fabulous Movie
Thanks for the great article! Definitely a fun movie and oh-so quotable.
"Stop that rhyming, and I mean it!" "Anybody want a peanut?"
not so inconcievable
Sequel
A sequel would be the 3rd classic blunder.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
MELKOR: Got the shinies!
UNGOLIANT: Not enough shiny. Want more shiny!
MELKOR: You can't have 'em.
UNGOLIANT: Grar.
MELKOR: Eeek! *runs*
FEANOR AND SONS: We're gettin' our shinies back.
Humperdinck, Humperdinck, Humperdinck!!!
I'm surprised you didn't include the former Mr. Susan Surandon in the then/now pictures. Everytime I watch that movie and he comes on screen all I can think about is "he's the namesake to Susan's last name... they were married... weird." Its seems she has always been with Tim.
Anyways, I'm glad you blogged about this film. It is such a part of my generation's cinematic history. Its the best Sunday afternoon movie to flip across. I watch it every time.
Oh and Kevin Arnold was a dope. That kiss on the swing set with Winnie is one of my favorite moments in television.
Awesome post
I love the Princess Bride! Not so much the book, but the movie was fun for me. It's nice to get a visual update of the stars from the movie.
How sad is it that Xanadu has been made into a stage musical, but its been two years since all talk of the musical based on the Princess Bride died?
what, no Mandy Patinkin mention?
I mean, we just don't hear about the guy anymore...
<rolls eyes>
We may be thanking him...
ah yes
G'bye boys! Have fun storming the castle!!
Buttercup: *Has a dagger in her hands, aiming for her heart*
Westley: There's a shortage of perfect breasts in this world, it'd be a shame to ruin yours.
Buttercup: *drops the dagger and rushes over to him* Oh Westley!
I had to!
~ Meagan
Brilliant Movie!!!!!
I love the film. It's one that you can watch over and over again, esp on a Sunday afternoon when hungover!!!
What happened to Cary Elwes? He does not look good!
Man and wife. say man and wife!!!!
I agree...
On both counts. Has it been that long since Liar, Liar?
"Inconceivable!"
"I don't think that word means what you think it means."
"I can explain why I like, but not why I love."
I think Cary Elwes has aged well...
Best. Movie. Ever.
I joked just YESTERDAY on my blog that until I reviewed a hetero romance over on AfterElton this week, Princess Bride was the ONLY hetero movie I'd ever reviewed! And I frequently say I like f/f or m/m love scenes in movies, but the only mixed-gender romantic pairing I ever liked was... Westley and Buttercup!