Jun 25 2009
‘The Proposal’ a Fun Summer Movie
If you’re looking for something with an intriguing plot that isn’t predictable then this not the film to see. ‘The Proposal’ is a slice of classic boy-meets-girl. Like other films of this genre, it doesn’t always attempt to make sense of the occasional gap in the plot, nor does it trouble itself with tying up all its loose ends - but there is more than enough here to satisfy. There is the sight of Ryan Reynolds almost naked, Sandra Bullock doing what she does best, romantic comedy, (and by the way guys, she has a couple of scenes “almost” in the buff), and then there’s Betty White who plays “Grammy” the 90 year old grandmother that we all wish we could call our own.
Sandra Bullock plays a very believable hard-nose, morally and emotionally void book publisher. Her portrayal of Margaret Tate is a mixture of Meryl Streep in ‘The Devil Wears Prada’ and her own role in ‘Miss Congeniality’. She finds herself about to be deported back to Canada mostly through her own arrogance and belief that rules are for other people.
Reynolds plays her long-suffering assistant and aspiring editor Andrew Paxton, who soon becomes Margaret’s ticket to residency. The fact that he loathes her and she treats him like dirt is of little consequence to Margaret, and Andrew finds himself blackmailed into going along with the whole charade in order to keep his job. Then we follow Margaret and Andrew to Alaska where the fun really begins.
Mary Steenburgen plays Andrew’s mother Grace, tasked with playing straight woman to the ageless Betty While, who turns in an outrageously off-beat performance and shows here she has lost absolutely none of her charm or charisma and her comedic timing is as perfect as ever.
Andrew’s family is delighted to have the prodigal son and his fiancée home for this momentous weekend, but before we know it, Grammy’s birthday celebration is hijacked and the happy couple find themselves on the way to the altar in a matter of hours, as Andrew’s mother tries to patch up his fractured relationship with his father (which is never really explained). But this is what you do when you’ve only just found out your only son is engaged to a woman he’s been calling ‘the barracuda’ for the past three years!
Bullock and Reynolds fit perfectly together as a romantic duo, and both are very strong comedy leads in their own right. They play off each other confidently through both the light and dark moments of the film.
Despite its faults, there are some great moments in this film and plenty of laughs throughout. Reynolds is sharp and funny and makes great eye candy, and Bullock is fun and funny and as beautiful as ever. So if you are looking for something light-hearted that will make you laugh head on out to the theater and keep cool with this hot summer film.
