Romantic movies, when done right, can stay with you for a lifetime. The images are seared into you mind, heart, and soul. Just like the written word, an on-screen romantic scene has the power to take our breath away.
There are the staple scenes most refer to from movies such as When Harry met Sally, Jerry Maguire, Casablanca, Titanic, and many, many more.
The Princess Bride is one of my all-time favorite movies. There are so many memorable scenes. It’s a love story, a slap-stick comedy, and even a little action. And a little Fred Savage and Columbo. I’m surfing the interwebz for a particular scene and I keep clicking on all the others that made such an impression upon me.
“Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya, you killed my father, prepare to die!”
I do apologize if that phrase is stuck in your head now.
Inigo: “You seem a decent fellow. I hate to kill you.”
Man in Black: “You seem a decent fellow. I hate to die.”
Funny, but not what I was looking for.
Westley: “Why won’t my arms move?”
Fezzik: “You’ve been mostly-dead all day.”
Snort! Oh, Andre the Giant, how I’ve missed you.
Yes, all great scenes from a great movie but not the romantic one I’m seeking. Where is that scene?! (Click, click, and click)
Grandpa: [voiceover] Nothing gave Buttercup as much pleasure as ordering Westley around.
Buttercup: Farm boy, polish my horse’s saddle. I want to see my face shining in it by morning.
Westley: As you wish.
Grandpa: [voiceover] “As you wish” was all he ever said to her.
Buttercup: Farm boy, fill these with water - please.
Westley: As you wish.
Grandpa: [voiceover] That day, she was amazed to discover that when he was saying “As you wish”, what he meant was, “I love you.” And even more amazing was the day she realized she truly loved him back.
Buttercup: Farm boy... fetch me that pitcher.
[It’s right over her head, so he has to stand next to her]Westley: As you wish.
YESSSS! This is it. This is one of the sweetest scenes ever. Where the words say one thing, but mean another. There’s some technical term for that device but my head is clouded with all things Westley at the moment, I can’t recall it.
As you wish. As you wish. As you wish. Oh, Westley… I wish you could stay forever locked in time, with that perfect blond hair, its wisps perfectly framing your face, covering one eye. Blue eyes boring into mine, I mean Buttercup’s. Saying I love you over and over again with those sexy eyes! HA CHA CHA! SWOON!
The scene has little to do with the dialogue, it’s all about the body language. The way Westley stares at Buttercup and whispers those three simple words, “As you wish.” How Buttercup glows every time he answers, her orders sounding more like pleas to stay near, not to go.
The almost kiss, when he gives her the pitcher, tell me that wasn’t so gosh-darn subtly sexy you nearly passed out. And then when they finally kiss in the field before he leaves on a quest to earn enough money to ask for her hand…Oh, my Ken and Barbie became Westley and Buttercup for months! Dang, I didn’t mean to type that out loud.
So you get it. Why this is so flippin’ romantic? If you haven’t seen this movie, please don’t tell anyone. Immediately go and watch it. Then we can chat about it, as you wish...
Philly native Charli Mac is an aspiring author, mother, wife, friend, and part-time clown. Come find lost love along the Jersey Shore athttp://charlimac.com/. Twitter her @CharliMacs
