As You Wish: Inconceivable Tales from the Making of The Princess Bride, by Cary Elwes & Joe Layden

[rachelmanija]

A mystery benefactor (which emailing has now revealed to be my friend Halle) just sent me a Princess Bride T-shirt. Perfect timing. I just finished listening to this book.

If you're a fan of the movie, it's absolutely delightful. If you're not, I imagine it will drive you bonkers. This is a 100% positive account of a movie that everyone involved obviously had a great time making, which is both its charm and its drawback; all the "I love you guys!" could have probably been trimmed by about 10-20%. That said, it is more than mostly charming.

I highly recommend the audio. It's read by Cary Elwes (Westley) and includes interviews with most of the cast, done by them. Elwes has a lovely voice which I could listen to forever, and also does hilarious impersonations of everyone. Normally my favorite would be Andre the Giant, but it's not because his impression of Rob Reiner is, amazingly, even better. I would listen, just waiting for the moment when he would once again say, "Heyyyyyy Caaaaaaary..."

Elwes comes across as sweet and humble. This was his big break and still his most iconic role, and he's totally fine with forever being remembered as Westley. (All else aside, he was already a fan of the book, which he'd read when he was thirteen.) He has some hilarious stories from the set, a fascinating account of the making of the swordfight, and touching/funny remembrances of Andre the Giant. William Goldman is exactly as neurotic as one might imagine; Mandy Patinkin contributes a very moving account of his own role, which he took soon after his father's death. And while Elwes' massive crush on Robin Wright apparently did not lead to an actual romance, they bonded so much that they kept requesting re-takes of the final kiss, which was the last shot of the movie, and are friends to this day. Now that's what I call a happy ending.

Comments

[muccamukk]

I didn't know that about Patinkin. No wonder "I want my father back, you son of a bitch." was the most moving line in the movie.

[rachelmanija]

There was real feeling behind it. In his interview he says that he went into the movie feeling that if he could do this role and get revenge on the man who killed his character's father, in some emotional sense he would get his own father back.

[nenya_kanadka]

Yeah, there's a reason why "My name is Inigo Montoya, you killed my father, prepare to die" is so iconic! I didn't know that about his real dad either, but he put so much heart into it.

And that's so sweet about the behind the scenes friendship between the love interests! Kind of like Peck and Hepburn in Roman Holiday. Gives me hope in these times of continuous reminders of how fucked up some of those offscreen encounters are. Really lovely.

[swan_tower]

If memory serves, he had just lost his father to cancer.

[kore]

That book was so sweet even in print, the audiobook might do me in. I need to get it!

[recessional]

Oooer that sounds fantastic.

[swan_tower]

I am so glad this is good! I was really nervous about taking a look at it, because I imprinted so hard on the film, and there's always the risk that any kind of "behind the scenes" thing will reveal everything you love to have feet of clay, y'know?

[sartorias]

Oh, that sounds delightful!

[osprey_archer]

This review makes the book sound so delightful that I've just put it on hold at the library.

[sholio]

Oh, that sounds lovely. I'm so glad it was a nice behind-the-scenes environment for them.

[wpadmirer]

That sounds delightful!

[genarti]

Yes! I love this book; I read it last year. It's just so sweet and charming.

My favorite parts, I think, were Elwes' anecdote about hurting his foot, and how many pains he takes to point to Robin Wright's skill.

[scripsi]

I love that movie! So I would definitly like to read it!

[ivy]

Oh, this sounds wonderful! I totally need something cheerful to read; I am putting this on my wishlist. Thanks for the excellent review.