Last summer I got together several times with a few of my closest friends. We talked about life, work, and driving, ate my friend’s mom’s incredible chocolate chip cookies, and watched The Princess Bride. It was only my second time watching it, and as usual my brain began analyzing as the end credits rolled across the screen.
On the way home, I asked two of my friends my question. Was Buttercup too passive? I mean, she literally stands there helpless while the R. O. U. S nearly bites Westley’s arm off. If my true love was in danger, I’d grab the R.O. U. S. by the tail. Who cares about me when the one I love most is about to lose a limb? But as I thought about it more, I recalled Buttercup’s unflinching faith that Westley would save her. Even when she was at the altar, she told the cowardly Humperdinck that her Westley would come.
Just think about that for a moment. Would you have the faith to believe your true love would come for you? Even to what seems to be the end? While Buttercup’s passivity is occasionally frustrating (Vizzini let go of you. HOW ABOUT RUN?), she also knew how to be still. ‘Cause let’s face it: not all of us are as awesome as Westley or Inigo Montoya. ( I can’t sword fight with my right hand!)
Buttercup trusted Westley to save her. As she said, “I will never doubt again.” She kept her word nearly to the end, when it really seemed all was lost. (There’s another thing I love about her: she is flawed. Relinquishes her true love, gives up and nearly commits suicide… 🤦🏻♀️ Also can we just appreciate her dramatic flair even in her failings?)
Buttercup chose to leave the saving to someone she knew could do it. She knew she couldn’t save herself, so she didn’t try. She let Westley save her.
And so should we. Like Buttercup, we are flawed human beings. We are helpless, selfish, and fearful. We can’t save ourselves. But just like Buttercup waited on Westley to save her with a stubborn, almost impossible hope, we can wait and trust God to save us.
And yes, such a philosophical response to movies for me is common.
Image credit: wallpapercave.com
Love the deep perspective, Ella! I especially liked what you said about realizing that you can’t save yourself and believing wholeheartedly in another to save you. Especially in the life of a believer, that is such an important truth to recognize. Great thoughts!! 🙂
Thank you! So glad you enjoyed it! 🤗💗
This is a very interesting post! I have watched Princess Bride… and this post definitely changes the way I view things. I like how you really try to find the good things in everything when those types of parts in movies really seem hopelessly ridiculous!
Love, Juliana
Thank you! 💗
Wow. I’ve never really thought about that before! I love the Princess’s Bride and your insights are wonderful!! 💕
Thank you, Oceay!! ❣️
Ella Em, this is so awesome! You really gave me something to think about! I will admit, I have noticed that scene, and felt like…”Girl….you’re not gonna do something?” I’ll be on the look out next time we watch it!
-Lizzie
Thank you! Yeah, that scene still annoys me, but I feel she has other redeeming qualities and I wanted to point them out!
That’s awesome. For one thing, I have been annoyed by what I viewed as Buttercup’s passivity, but I really like your perspective — this is helpful for me. And what a turn, there at the end! Very nice application. You got me thinking.
Yay!! Good. That is a goal of mine. 😄
Oh my word, this is so profound! Amazing job!
😂 Thank you! My friends thought I was crazy.
I love this so much. The Princess Bride is a fantastic movie (the book is also AMAZING, you should read it!!) and though Buttercup is certainly frustrating at moments, I like how you point out some of her better parts as well! She’s one of those characters we love to agonize over, both in good and bad ways. 🙂 Great post, Ella Em!!♥
It is most certainly on my list! Thank you!! 💗