Although “The Proposal” is derivative and predictable, it is also an immensely enjoyable romantic comedy. Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds are evenly matched and their on-screen chemistry is fresh and appealing, making “The Proposal” the best rom-com of the summer. Pete Chiarelli’s script takes the ogre male boss/put-upon female assistant and reverses the roles. Bullock plays Margaret Tate, a pitiless, high-powered New York book editor, who discovers she’s about to be deported because her Canadian visa has expired. In desperation, Margaret decides to marry her assistant, Andrew (Reynolds), to get a green card and remain in the US. She makes it clear to Andrew that if he wants to have any kind of career in the publishing industry, he must go along with her plan. Complications arise when they visit Andrew’s family in Alaska.
Bullock relishes playing the tyrant and the way she slowly reveals her character’s softer side is effective. And she’s a good enough actress that she is able to take a stereotypical role and create a character with depth. Plus she has a knack for understated physical comedy: struggling to climb down a ladder wearing ridiculously high heels, teetering nearly nude against a bathtub as she battles the barking family dog, tentatively slapping the butt of an ‘exotic’ dancer. Reynolds’ Andrew adds zip to the mix; he’s thrilled to finally have the upper hand with his boss, who he calls ‘The Devil’s Mistress.’ And there’s fun in the barely spoken venom they spit while pretending to be the happy couple. Reynolds matches Bullock quip for quip. But the meatiest role goes to scene-stealer Betty White as Andrew’s grandmother, who, in one of the funniest scenes, has difficulty locating Margaret’s breasts while fitting her for a wedding dress. At the heart of this film is the importance of family, something Margaret discovers as she gets to know Andrew’s family. “The Proposal’ is a good old-fashioned romantic comedy with two charming stars that make a typical genre movie seem like something new. 6/20/09
1 comment:
I was prepared not to like this film, had my mind almost made up but this is a very smart, very funny romantic comedy!. I really didn't think that Ryan Reynolds and Sandra Bullock would have an ounce of chemistry together but I was wrong! They were great together and with a very strong supporting cast, I laughed from beginning to end. Betty White was a riot, crazy as ever and really funny! Mary Steenburgen and Craig T. Nelson were also good but not very funny. Oscar Nunez who played Ramone was hilarious as the combo sexy dancer, store operator, minister and almost stole the show. This is a "laugh out loud" comedy that most everyone will love if they bother to go see it! Its a 4 bagger out of a possible 5
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