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movie review - The Princess Bride

the journal of Michael Werneburg

twenty-seven years and one million words

Toronto, 2014.09.24

This is a movie telling of a story book as read by a grandfather to his grandson who is home sick. This story-within-a-story is brilliant, as the slightly tongue-in-cheek story book tale manages to stay perched between humor and seriousness because we have these two outside the story sharing their reactions. As the tale's unlikely band of heroes goes through a story of escalating stakes (and rapid character development) the boy's interjections ("What do you mean the bad guy escapes? Jesus Grandpa, why did you read this to me!") only redouble our investment.

I have no idea how many times I've seen this movie. The Boy loved it for "movie night".

Strongly recommended. A favorite.

rand()m quote

I think natural selection must have greatly rewarded the ability to reassure oneself in a crisis with complete bullshit.

—Bob Harris