Cary Elwes: A Life Beyond ‘As You Wish’
Cary Elwes’s career is a fascinating tapestry woven with unexpected turns, mentorship from Hollywood legends, and a role that has cemented his place in cinematic history. While many recognize him as the swashbuckling Westley from The Princess Bride, Elwes’s journey extends far beyond that iconic fairytale. From assisting Marlon Brando to receiving career guidance from Al Pacino, his story is one of resilience, reinvention, and a dedication to the craft of acting.
A Career on the Brink
By 1988, Cary Elwes found himself at a crossroads. His recent fantasy film, where he portrayed a farm boy turned hero, had underperformed at the box office, leaving him unemployed for a year. During a chance encounter at a New York restaurant, he met Al Pacino. Elwes recalls Pacino’s advice: “You need to exercise your [acting] muscles,” urging him to return to training. Pacino connected him with the Lee Strasberg Institute, where he studied with Charlie Laughton, a mentor to Pacino himself. “It changed my life,” Elwes reflects.
The Unexpected Legacy of ‘The Princess Bride’
That “dud” movie, The Princess Bride, proved to be anything but. Initially a difficult film to market, according to director Rob Reiner, it found its audience on VHS, becoming a cultural phenomenon. Nearly four decades later, it remains one of the most beloved films of all time, celebrated for its stellar cast – including Billy Crystal, Mandy Patinkin, and Robin Wright – and its endlessly quotable lines: “As you wish,” “Inconceivable!”, and “Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die.” Elwes attributes this enduring appeal to the brilliance of William Goldman’s screenplay, noting its abundance of memorable lines.
A Loss and a Tribute
Elwes maintained a close friendship with Rob Reiner, who also directed classics like This Is Spinal Tap and When Harry Met Sally. Reiner’s tragic death, along with his wife Michele Singer Reiner, deeply affected Elwes. He fondly remembers their shared appearances at The Princess Bride anniversary events, filled with laughter and silliness. Elwes joined a gathering of Reiner’s friends and collaborators at the Oscars to pay tribute to the late director and his wife.
‘Dead Man’s Wire’ and Echoes of the Past
Elwes’s latest project, Gus Van Sant’s Dead Man’s Wire, tells the gripping true story of Tony Kiritsis, who took a hostage in 1977 while protesting his mortgage company. The film features Al Pacino as the company boss, creating a poignant connection to the actor who once offered Elwes career advice. The film’s themes of desperation and the struggles of working-class individuals resonate with classic films like Dog Day Afternoon. Elwes plays local cop Mike Grable, a role he approached with a commitment to authenticity, recreating details from photographs provided by Grable’s family.
A Career Defined by Risk and Passion
Throughout his career, Elwes has embraced diverse roles in war films (Glory), horror (the Saw franchise), thrillers (Twister), comedies (Robin Hood: Men in Tights), and television shows like The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and Stranger Things. He actively seeks out roles that challenge him, stating, “If I’m a little bit scared of something, then that’s usually the thing I gravitate towards.”
Despite his varied career, Elwes remains inextricably linked to The Princess Bride. He embraces this connection, recognizing the film’s power to bring people together. “I feel I have a responsibility to it, but it’s a wonderful responsibility,” he says. “You’re lucky as an actor to have your work resonate with anyone, so I don’t take that for granted.”
Dead Man’s Wire is in cinemas on March 20th.
