The Proposal (2009)

           There probably have been about a million different takes on the “date-night” favorite, the romantic comedy.  I for one think these different plays on two characters falling in love are a good thing.  It keeps the genre fresh and always delightful.  The Proposal directed by Anne Fletcher continues the flow of somewhat unique plotlines.

            The story begins where else but in New York City with aspiring editor Andrew Paxton (Ryan Reynolds) trying to work his way up the corporate ladder as the executive assistant, or secretary, of Margaret Tate (Sandra Bullock).  Margaret is a “take no names, unforgiving” type of business woman.  She doesn’t play games and is all about getting work done.  An unexpected dilemma concerning her legal status in the U.S. presents itself when the company’s top executives inform her that she will be fired and deported back to her homeland of Canada. 

On the fly, she surprises Andrew with bribing him into marrying her so she will gain her citizenship.  Apprehensive at first, he eventually agrees by demanding she make him lead editor after her status becomes that of legal.  The movie then travels to Alaska to see and announce their “engagement” to Andrew’s family.  What follows is the task of convincing everyone, his family, her bosses, and a very determined INS agent, that they are truly in love and their marriage plans are authentic.

Though a little unbelievable, the act of bribing someone into being your “forever after” is presented very well in this film.  Margaret’s interaction with a true blue family after having to rely on herself for the majority of her life has its moments.  A camp fire dance ritual between her and Betty White who plays Andrews grandmother was probably the most entertaining portion of the movie. 

The film seems to focus more on Bullock’s character than anyone else’s.  Although Reynolds brings his usual sarcastic humor to the table, Bullock is the one who seems to try to steal the show.  To me, the chemistry between the two appears a little forced but works for a short love story such as this one.  In real life, the personalities between these characters might have those close to them questioning how they would mesh, even pretending, in a relationship.  But I suppose that is part of what makes up of the comedy half in the romantic-comedy label. 

I wouldn’t say that this movie should go in the classic vault of romances but it suits its purpose for the famed “date-night” activity that I mentioned before.  I give The Proposal “3 looks at Sandra Bullock dancing to ‘Get Low’ by Lil’ Jon & The Eastside Boyz out of 5”.

-“I have never farted in front of him. Nor will I ever fart in front of him.”

-“She farts in her sleep.”