The Princess Bride

Rob Reiner and William Goldman's beloved send-up of fairy tales, The Princess Bride, is wildly clever and pure fun. Framed and narrated by the legendary Peter Falk as a patient grandfather reading a fantastical story to his sick grandson (Fred Savage), the film is an adventure-filled love story about the brave stable boy Westley (Cary Elwes, in his prime) and the beautiful Buttercup (Robin Wright). After Buttercup mistakenly believes Westley has been killed, she despairingly agrees to wed the snooty, selfish Prince Humperdinck (Chris Sarandon), who, in turn, quickly loses her to a trio of misfit outlaws—the diminutive maniac Vizzini (Wallace Shawn) and his sidekicks, the hulking Fezzik (André the Giant) and revenge-bound Inigo Montoya (Mandy Patinkin). Westley soon resurfaces to rescue Buttercup, outwitting Vizzini in the process (Inconceivable!), and the two lovers go on the run. In addition to Goldman's delightfully cheeky narrative elements (Rodents of Unusual Size, the oddly cordial torturer, etc.), what stands out the most are the performances of the endearing André, versatile Patinkin, neurotic Shawn, and charming Elwes. Suspenseful, hilarious, and full of timeless one-liners, The Princess Bride is an undisputed classic.