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Home Subscribe About Us Features News Album Reviews Movie Reviews Past Movies Movie Resources Concert Reviews Book Reviews Top 10 Contact Us	The Proposal Stars: Sandra Bullock, Ryan Reynolds, Mary Steenbergen, Craig T. Nelson, Betty White and Denis O’Hare Director: Anne Fletcher Scriptwriter: Peter Chiarelli Composer: Aaron Zigman Cinematography: Oliver Stapleton Touchstone/Mandeville Rating: PG 13 for sexual references, partial nudity and language Running Length: 100 minutes What happens if you are a top New York book editor, born in Canada, and suddenly find your career is going down the drain because you haven’t taken the time to properly fill out papers to remain in America? That’s what the situation is for Type A Personality Sandra Bullock in a great performance of angst and attitude. Her solution is to marry her assistant (Ryan Reynolds with every advantage to take his shirt off). There are stipulations, though, a kindly attempt at extortion from him, and---the immigration agent's (Denis O’Hare) insistence that the couple meet Ryan’s family---who live in Alaska. Ah, yes, the parents (Mary Steenbergen and a scene-stealing Craig T. Nelson) are surprised with the “older woman” Ryan has chosen, but Grandma (hilarious Betty White) says “Go For It.” During the weekend from Hades, Sandra must blend in with the family, avoid a dive-bombing eagle (has to be seen to be believed) and discover Ryan isn’t so bad, after all. Sandra Bullock can dither like no other actress. She has this down to perfection and it serves her in good stead during some moments of this film. Anyone who has ever gone to meet the other parents for the first time, can go with this from allergies to what-do-I-wear to meeting the “old flame.” Ryan Reynolds, shirtless or otherwise, has a fine sense of humor and is a good foil for Sandra. Likewise with Mary Steenbergen and Craig T. Nelson as the opposites-attract parents. She is always three jumps ahead of him. Betty White, as the grandmother, is in the center of her scenes, and because of her support of animal groups, there is an animal story here, too. The Proposal has sexual situations played for humor so may not exactly be a first date movie, but a few dates along and it’s fine. It is witty, never a dull moment, and the house in Alaska is a wonder. There are tender moments, too, and well-played by the actors. You begin to understand their motives and the scriptwriter plays this nicely. This film may well be the comedy hit of the summer. Copyright 2009 Marie Asner The Proposal is predictable, cookie cutter and lacks any genre surprises. But it is great! That is the beauty of the romantic comedy. As long as the onscreen chemistry exists between the couple in question and it is not a total flop of writing and acting then the rest we seem to be able to overlook. There is no spoiler alert in stating that they end up together. We know they will end up together before the first glimpse of the opening logo. And the fact that Nicholas Sparks name is never mentioned you can be assured that everyone lives as well. So feel free to kick back, laugh and if you leave feeling a little bit romantic, even better. Margaret Tate (Sandra Bullock) is the poster woman for boss from hell. She is senior editor for a huge publishing firm in NY and though maybe not dressed in Prada she is certainly a devil. When she discovers that she may be deported back to Canada due to an expired work visa she coerces her browbeaten assistant Andrew (Ryan Reynolds) to marry her in order to keep her in the country. To convince the agent assigned to her case that they are really in love they go off for a weekend outing to Alaska to see Andrews’s family and spend time together. While there of course is when the template for romantic comedies kick in and the rest you can probably guess. But again, that is not a bad thing. The premise itself may give The Proposal a little unique twist. Bullock states, “My character was written how they usually write the male roles. They are the juiciest and they are allowed to be complex, unattractive, crabby and difficult. They are funny in a way that female parts are usually not written.” It was interesting to see her in this tougher more unappealing role but she pulls it off nicely. The chemistry between her and Ryan Reynolds is the key to the success of this film. Reynolds is a brilliant comedian and has a rapid fire delivery of one liners. In fact many times he can say absolutely nothing and it is hilarious. He is perfect with facial emotion and uses it a lot in this film. Bullock goes on to say that, “this is more a screwball comedy than a romantic comedy.” Not sure I totally agree. Though it has its screwball moments its heart beats with Hollywood romance. The Proposal is rated PG-13 for sexual content, nudity and language. Though I agree with the rating I think the content is described a little too strong. The sexual content is basically non existent considering the two in question can’t stand each other. Plus, though implied and leaving little doubt that they are nude, there really is no actual nudity in the film. Not in the sense of body parts. In fact other than some suggestive dialogue it is a decent flick. The only issue for younger female viewers is a strip dance by Oscar Nuñez (The Office) that will leave you laughing uncontrollably. Even that is done with a male g-string and is totally for humor sake and not in the sexual realm. I give The Proposal a solid 3.75 out of 5 Easter egg hunts. Two of my favorite character actors make this a film that works. So says Matt Mungle. Matt Mungle (6/16/09) Review copyright 2009 Mungleshow Productions. Used by Permission.