The Proposal Movie Review

MOVIE REVIEW: THE PROPOSAL

06/18/09

SYNOPSIS: When high-powered book editor Margaret (SANDRA BULLOCK) faces deportation to her native Canada, the quick-thinking exec declares that she’s actually engaged to her unsuspecting put-upon assistant Andrew (RYAN REYNOLDS), who she’s tormented for years. He agrees to participate in the charade, but with a few conditions of his own. The unlikely couple heads to Alaska to meet his quirky family (MARY STEENBURGEN, CRAIG T. NELSON, BETTY WHITE) and the always-in-control city girl finds herself in one comedic fish-out-of-water situation after another. With an impromptu wedding in the works and an immigration official on their tails, Margaret and Andrew reluctantly vow to stick to the plan despite the precarious consequences.

REVIEW: Guilty as charged! Yes, I’m guilty of thoroughly enjoying another romantic comedy. They come and go and they are a dime a dozen. Some are good while others are better so you just got to take your chances. I honestly had a lot of fun watching this one. I’ll admit that I’m a fan of both Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds so maybe there is some bias but regardless, a good part of the success of a romantic comedy is the story and how fresh it is. Well this story was pretty interesting and pretty modern and fresh too. It starts out very fast paced and it is funny throughout. There is plenty of sarcasm throughout as well. But this movie has more to offer than just a good story. Add on a stellar cast chock full of sharp comedic performances and some of the most breathtaking backdrops and locations ever used for a movie of this genre and you’ve got an incredibly charming piece of work.

Sandra plays Margaret, the royal bitch boss and I do mean royal and I do mean bitch. She is dry, sarcastic, mean, self-centered and emotionless. Her world is rocked when a particular predicament unfolds before her. In comes Ryan as Andrew. He is the persistent assistant that somehow manages to put up with Margaret’s ways. It is great to see how Sandra hasn’t lost her touch in the comedy arena. She can still deliver in both physical and verbal comedy as well as in character presentation. Even though it is starting to show a little that she is not getting any younger, she still looks mighty good (if you see the movie you will know what I mean). Ryan is, well, he’s Ryan. Even when he is not at his best I still enjoy watching him perform. In this movie he gives us one of the best blank faces of utter shock and disbelief that you will ever see. That scene was priceless. The chemistry between them is really a little awkward but then again it should be. It makes the story a bit more realistic if they don’t match up so perfectly. Now the banter between them on the other hand is entertaining to say the least. The question is can the rigid shell be cracked? But wait, there’s bonus cast too. You’ve got Mary Steenburgen and Craig T. Nelson playing Andrew’s parents and Betty White playing his grandmother. Oh Betty White, that woman is something else. You can only wish you had a grandmother like her. She strongly contributes to the overall comedy of this picture. Oscar Nunez plays a role that is the source of quite of few laughs too. What a character!

One of the aspects that impressed me the most about this film was the beautiful locations and scenery. A chunk of the story takes place in Alaska and the backdrops they used were wonderful. It added to the freshness and gave it an extra edge. This is only Anne Fletcher’s third major motion picture direction (27 Dresses, Step Up) and I think she is doing pretty good for herself. In the midst of the summer blockbusters, it’s always nice to have an alternative and this is a good alternative to choose.