The Proposal (C+ or 2.5/4 stars)
A domineering female boss forces her male assistant to marry her so she can avoid deportation to Canada in 'The Proposal', directed by Anne Fletcher. Margaret Tate (Sandra Bullock) is said boss; an executive editor-in-chief of a book publishing company. Her assistant is Andrew Paxton (Ryan Reynolds). And just when she thought her reign over the company would never end, she's told that her green card did not come through. Desperate, she grabs a hold of Andrew, blackmails him to marry her (so she can stay), & standard rom-com plotlines ensue. The only reason he accepts this crazy idea to marry her is because he makes her promise to promote him to being editor at the company. With the government investigating their 'engagement', the 2 are forced to spend the weekend together when Andrew has to return home to Alaska for his grandma Annie's (Betty White) 90th birthday.
While visiting his quaint Alaskan hometown, Andrew's parents (Mary Steenburgen, Craig T. Nelson) suggest that the couple marry the same weekend as grandma's birthday! Reluctantly, the couple accepts. And as one would assume (in this particular brand of film), the couple starts to form genuine feelings for each other. Why, exactly? Well, the reasons are shallow. But we accept them. Why do we accept them? Because we like Sandra Bullock & Ryan Reynolds. But I'll get to them in a bit. Will Margaret & Andrew marry? Or will she realize the strain she's put on him & his adoring family? Will immigration catch up with Margaret? Yadayadayada. I think you can figure out where this all leads.
'The Proposal' is a by-the-book romantic comedy. There's nothing hilarious about it. There's nothing unique about it. There are plot contrivances everywhere. And some characters fall by the wayside (like Andrew's ex-girlfriend, played by Malin Akerman). All that said, the intangibles are what keeps this film afloat. The locales (NYC, Alaska) are beautiful. There's a cute puppy to go 'awwww' at. Margaret lets the ice around her heart melt away. Andrew grows a pair when dealing with his authoritative father. Margaret & Andrew can't stand each other, but that all changes as the move glides along ... we audience members like those kind of character arcs. Betty White is wonderful as the hip, but sweet 90 yr. old grammy (she's an incredible 87 in real life). Betty basically reprises her 'Rose' role from Golden Girls, and it's a welcomed return. So you see, small pleasures everywhere.
Back to Sandra & Ryan. Do they have chemistry? Sort of. I love me some spunky Sandra Bullock. I like Ryan Reynolds. But when I say 'sort of' with regard to their chemistry, I mean that ... there is little in the script which gives us good reason to believe that they CAN fall in love. The transition from 'hating each other' to 'digging each other' is fairly transparent. There isn't enough romance. But again, we like Sandra & Ryan as individuals, & they 'fake' their love adequately enough for it to work. The humor in the film is the type that will make you chuckle or smile, but not bust out laughing. i.e., watch the expression on Andrew's face when he finds out he's engaged; it's great. Also, the infamous nude scene btwn. Sandra & Ryan is fun to watch. And an odd, but charming scene in the middle of the woods involving grammy Annie & Margaret is amusing (involving Native American chanting).
Overall, 'The Proposal' is predictable, middle-brow fare. There's even a race-to-the-airport-to-stop-his/her-one-true-love-from-leaving climax. I'd love to see Sandra Bullock & Ryan Reynolds take-on more challenging role/movies. She's immensely popular. And at 45, I'm ecstatic for her success here. We all know how difficult it is for women actresses in Hollywood to make an impression after reaching the age of 40. This movie has its awkward moments. But due to the joy with which it's filmed, it has that certain irresistible quality. When it was over, my party & I all said, "That was cute". And to anyone who sees this in the theater, or on DVD, or on TV, I'll bet the majority will say "That was cute", as well. They won't say much more; but probably won't say much less, either.
While visiting his quaint Alaskan hometown, Andrew's parents (Mary Steenburgen, Craig T. Nelson) suggest that the couple marry the same weekend as grandma's birthday! Reluctantly, the couple accepts. And as one would assume (in this particular brand of film), the couple starts to form genuine feelings for each other. Why, exactly? Well, the reasons are shallow. But we accept them. Why do we accept them? Because we like Sandra Bullock & Ryan Reynolds. But I'll get to them in a bit. Will Margaret & Andrew marry? Or will she realize the strain she's put on him & his adoring family? Will immigration catch up with Margaret? Yadayadayada. I think you can figure out where this all leads.
'The Proposal' is a by-the-book romantic comedy. There's nothing hilarious about it. There's nothing unique about it. There are plot contrivances everywhere. And some characters fall by the wayside (like Andrew's ex-girlfriend, played by Malin Akerman). All that said, the intangibles are what keeps this film afloat. The locales (NYC, Alaska) are beautiful. There's a cute puppy to go 'awwww' at. Margaret lets the ice around her heart melt away. Andrew grows a pair when dealing with his authoritative father. Margaret & Andrew can't stand each other, but that all changes as the move glides along ... we audience members like those kind of character arcs. Betty White is wonderful as the hip, but sweet 90 yr. old grammy (she's an incredible 87 in real life). Betty basically reprises her 'Rose' role from Golden Girls, and it's a welcomed return. So you see, small pleasures everywhere.
Back to Sandra & Ryan. Do they have chemistry? Sort of. I love me some spunky Sandra Bullock. I like Ryan Reynolds. But when I say 'sort of' with regard to their chemistry, I mean that ... there is little in the script which gives us good reason to believe that they CAN fall in love. The transition from 'hating each other' to 'digging each other' is fairly transparent. There isn't enough romance. But again, we like Sandra & Ryan as individuals, & they 'fake' their love adequately enough for it to work. The humor in the film is the type that will make you chuckle or smile, but not bust out laughing. i.e., watch the expression on Andrew's face when he finds out he's engaged; it's great. Also, the infamous nude scene btwn. Sandra & Ryan is fun to watch. And an odd, but charming scene in the middle of the woods involving grammy Annie & Margaret is amusing (involving Native American chanting).
Overall, 'The Proposal' is predictable, middle-brow fare. There's even a race-to-the-airport-to-stop-his/her-one-true-love-from-leaving climax. I'd love to see Sandra Bullock & Ryan Reynolds take-on more challenging role/movies. She's immensely popular. And at 45, I'm ecstatic for her success here. We all know how difficult it is for women actresses in Hollywood to make an impression after reaching the age of 40. This movie has its awkward moments. But due to the joy with which it's filmed, it has that certain irresistible quality. When it was over, my party & I all said, "That was cute". And to anyone who sees this in the theater, or on DVD, or on TV, I'll bet the majority will say "That was cute", as well. They won't say much more; but probably won't say much less, either.