Review: The Proposal (2009)

The Proposal (2009)

2.0

COMEDY/ROMANCE
U.S. Release Date: 06/19/09
Running Length: 105 Minutes
MPAA Classification: PG-13 (Sexual Content, Nudity and Language)
Theatrical Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
Cast: Sandra Bullock, Ryan Reynolds, Betty White, Craig T. Nelson, Mary Steenburgen
Director: Anne Fletcher
Screenplay: Pete Chiarelli
Cinematography: Oliver Stapleton

Music: Aaron Zigman
U.S. Distributor: Walt Disney Pictures
Review by: Carter Moulton

06/09/09

The Proposal features Sandra Bullock as Margaret Tate, an all-work-no-play power-hungry tightwad of a woman whose inflated grouchiness is chiseled away, piece by piece by her smart-aleck understudy, Andrew Paxton—Ryan Reynolds playing the exact same personality he did in Just Friends a few years back. This is thin stuff, really thin.

Margaret and Andrew work in the book editing business, with Andrew being a diamond-in-the-rough writer with a script that no one is willing to glance over. Margaret seems to be the worst boss in the business—her arrival and attitude at work merits instant messages reading, “the witch is on her broom” to be sent around the office. Bullock isn’t all that convincing, but it’s never distracting to watch her squeeze the life out of every room she walks into.

We learn that Margaret is originally from Canada, and her presence in America is somehow illegal, even though she’s pretty high up in the company. In order to stay in America and retain her job, she’ll have to marry someone; Andrew pops into the room at the perfect moment, and, full of movie-making common sense (or lack thereof), Margaret blurts out that Andrew will be her loving groom.

Reynolds is amusing as Andrew, and he is likable enough to grasp pockets of laughter out of thin air. If you liked Just Friends, you’ll love The Proposal—they hit the same notes. The Proposal falls into a ditch of clichés; there’s the whole “son wanting acceptance from his father” ordeal; and the “girl running away from her true love, followed by that same love chasing after her”; and don’t forget the “crazy grandma doing extremely stupid things” gag. All that being said, Bullock and Reynolds have a nice chemistry when they’re on screen together, and there are two genuine scenes, one on a boat and one in the bedroom, that suggest another direction entirely.

Anne Fletcher does a pleasant job of direction, giving the film a light pace, and I enjoyed the soundtrack; however, for a romantic comedy, there has to be a legitimate story to tell. And while I mentioned that the two leads have nice chemistry when they’re on screen, the truth is, the romantic scenes—scenes where they actually connect with one another—are few and far between. This makes the romance feel forced: how are they supposed to be in love if they only have one or two meaningful conversations the entire movie? There’s also a potential-conflict with Andrew’s ex-girlfriend, played by Malin Akerman, that goes absolutely nowhere.

It sounds like I’m ripping this thing apart, but, to be honest, it wasn’t hard to sit through The Proposal. Reynolds is timely, and there are some gut-bursters here and there. Look for Oscar Nuñez (Oscar from “The Office”) in a funny, slightly overused role. Perhaps this film would be much more if it had taken a page from its female protagonist and tightened up the storytelling a bit. A respectable romantic comedy warms you up with laughter until you melt into a puddle of schmaltzy-goo; The Proposal starts this process, but doesn’t turn off the heat-lamp until you’re putrefied, unable to fuse any molecules of feeling together.