Marvelous Geeks

Type: Romantic Film: The Princess Bride Featured Characters: Westley and Buttercup

A princess and a farm boy. A princess and a pirate—a timeless love story that still stands as an achingly perfect romantic blueprint in every way. He has no fortune, and therefore, he leaves, promising that he’ll always come for her, which he does. She waits for him, fully in heart, even when she agrees to marry Humperdinck to save Westley after discovering that he’s the Dread Pirate Roberts. 

Countless TV shows and films use The Princess Bride as an archetype for storytelling. Once Upon a Time, for instance, draws numerous parallels between Westley and Buttercup through their main couple, Emma Swan and Killian Jones. Parks and Recreation’s principal romance, Leslie Knope and Ben Wyatt, even dress as Westley and Buttercup during Halloween. Their relationship is revered for a reason, and much of it boils down to this idea of true love conquering all.

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Netflix’s A Castle for Christmas is the holiday film we’ve all been waiting for. It’s romantic, it’s utterly charming, the lands are stunning, the cast is exceptional, and the tropes slam hard. Dun Dunbar castle is the dream location for a film like this, and the leads are everything.

Starring Brooke Shields, Cary Elwes, Vanessa Grasse, Lee Ross, Suanne Braun, Andi Osho, Eilidh Loan, Tina Gray, and more, there is nothing A Castle for Christmas is lacking. The plot, the friendships, the love story all thread together so perfectly that at no point will you want to avert your gaze.

Forced to share space? Check. Grumpy castle owner, somewhat of a sunshine author? Check. A duke? Check. Enemies to gradual friends to lovers? Check. A lingering embrace followed by longing looks? Check. Dances? Check. The only trope absent from this film is basically forbidden lovers—everything else is set. There’s even a precious pup named Hamish, and I wouldn’t trust anyone who doesn’t love that? She walks on him bathing, folks—need I say more?

A Castle for Christmas is film is a delight from start to finish.

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