The Princess Bride and the screenplay

The Princess Bride DVD cover reads that from “Oscar winning screenwriter, William Goldman, comes ‘an enchanting fantasy’ filled with adventure, romance, and good-hearted fun.”  In the film, a grandfather visits his grandson who is sick in bed. The grandfather reads a story of a fairy tale-like love of a would-be-princess rescued from the evil prince by her true love. Adapted from the book of the same name and author, the adventure comes alive as soon as the grandfather starts reading. It is clear that there are several arcs we follow according to Joseph Campbell’s The Hero’s Journey Outline, from Westley and the princess to Montoya. Undoubtedly the main theme of The Princess Bride would be Love Conquers All. A secondary theme may be Good vs. Evil. However, the arc that seems to be overlooked is the “Loss of innocence” of the grandson.

Defined as the classic “coming of age story,” the Loss of Innocence theme involves a young protagonist who is introduced to “the complexity of the adult world.” In the opening scene of the Princess Bride, we are introduced to the grandson who objects to his grandfather coming to visit him; he does not like it when his grandfather pinches his cheeks, an obvious gesture of affection. When the grandfather gives him the book as a gift, he is less than pleased (still yet “unappreciative” of the “history” behind it) and is skeptical of the story within. He then immediately objects to the “kissing” in the story.

In the first scene of The Princess Bride, the viewer is introduced to Buttercup and the farm boy, the phrase “as you wish,” and the meaning behind it (I love you). The viewer then follows the grandson’s journey as he follows the characters’ journeys in the book. By the end of the story, the grandson changes his view of the kissing scenes, as well, his attitude toward his grandfather visiting and invites him to return the next day. The grandfather’s response to the “miracle,” is then simply a smile and, “as you wish.”