Dec. 15--Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) has been reciting lines from his favorite movie "The Princess Bride" on the campaign trail, but actor Mandy Patinkin said it seems the presidential candidate doesn't understand the spirit of the 1987 film.
"This man is not putting forth ideas that are at the heart of what that movie is all about. I would love for Senator Cruz, and everyone creating fear mongering and hatred, to consider creating hope, optimism and love. Open your arms to these people, these refugees trying to get into our country, and open your hearts," Patinkin, who played swordsman Inigo Montoya in the movie, told The New York Times in an article posted online Monday.
Patinkin, who grew up on the South Side and portrays a CIA chief on "Homeland," said his inbox has been flooded with videos of Cruz acting out scenes from the movie, a fairy tale about overcoming obstacles for true love.
"I would like to be with Senator Cruz for a moment and I would like to respectfully ask him, since he quotes all the lines from 'The Princess Bride' and certainly all of my character, Inigo Montoya's, lines, I would like to know why he doesn't quote my favorite line (about love conquering all)?" said Patinkin, who refers to himself as a humanitician.
Catherine Frazier, a Cruz campaign spokeswoman, told the Times in an e-mail that the senator is "a huge fan of the film and the actors in it."
"Having some fun with a cult classic like 'The Princess Bride' should be something we can all get behind, politics aside," she said.
