Inconceivable!

I previously took it for granted that every individual in the entire universe recognized that The Princess Bride is one of the best films of all time.  No exaggeration.  It seems to me, however, that this movie's supreme brilliance is not fully acknowledged outside of America.  This became a matter of some confusion for friends who failed to see the allusions I often made to this glorious script.  My friends Ana and Ragini, for instance, had never seen Rob Reiner's masterpiece.  I found their ignorance of The Princess Bride to be rather...well, inconceivable.  Fortunately, Liz bestowed the DVD upon Ana as a gift, and I was lucky enough to be there when both Ana and Ragini viewed for the very first time.

Watching this childhood favourite with first timers helped me see the movie with fresh eyes.  Both Ana and Ragini, interestingly enough, lamented that they had not grown up with The Princess Bride.  It made me think back to the time when I was absolutely terrified of the shrieking eels and the rodents of unusual size; how, as a pre-teen, I fell in love with Westley; and how, as an adult, I'm still in love with Westley.  He remains my favourite character after all these years.  I guess you could call it true love.  So, in reverse order, I am sharing my three favourite Westley lines.

3. Life is pain, highness.  Anyone who says differently is selling something.

2. [In reference to the Fire Swamp] I'm not saying I'd like to build a summer home here, but the trees are actually quite lovely. 

1. Death cannot stop true love.  All it can do is delay it for a while.  

In closing, I would like to give a piece of advice to any of my friends who have been so dreadfully cursed as to not have seen this film before:  watch it!  Now!  Immediately!  If you feel wary about it, please watch one of the movie's most memorable scenes.  If you aren't convinced after viewing the following clip, then you can't be helped.