Rama's Screen

Sandra Bullock is about 12 years older than Ryan Reynolds, so seeing them kissing is as awkward as kissing an older sister but I’m not gonna bash THE PROPOSAL because as cliche as the movie may be, it does a good job of making the audience connect with the characters. THE PROPOSAL is… sweet, cute, a romantic screwball that will steal some chuckles from you even if you try to resist. Some hilarious moments thanks to one of the funniest oldest comic relief, Betty White. Don’t be scared, watching this won’t you get deported.

When high-powered book editor Margaret (Sandra Bullock) faces deportation to her native Canada, the quick-thinking exec declares that she’s actually engaged to her unsuspecting put-upon assistant Andrew (Ryan Reynolds), who she’s tormented for years. He agrees to participate in the charade, but with a few conditions of his own. The unlikely couple heads to Alaska to meet his quirky family (Mary Steenburgen, Craig T. Nelson, Betty White) and the always-in-control city girl finds herself in one comedic fish-out-of-water situation after another. With an impromptu wedding in the works and an immigration official on their tails, Margaret and Andrew reluctantly vow to stick to the plan despite the precarious consequences.

I was literally expecting this movie to bomb but I’m glad to be proven wrong. Part of the reason was because I didn’t enjoy the movie 27 Dresses but Director Anne Fletcher seems to have learned from her mistakes and now has figured out what’s funny or what’s not. Writer Pete Chiarelli created scenes that rely heavily on the awkwardness that stems from the lie that Bullock’s character Margaret and Reynolds’ character Andrew have cooked up. You keep seeing them try too hard to synchronize their stories as if they’ve known each other that well for a while. But I think the movie could be less predictable. So many times we can spot something being said that we just know would take place in some weird way later on and we’d know exactly when or how it would happen. I don’t mind that method but it can be less obvious.

Once again, what I do enjoy about THE PROPOSAL is its ability to make you feel for the characters. The way Andrew and Margaret keep mocking each other while maintaining their composure is priceless, eventually the audience would understand why Margaret is so mean and why Andrew has such a hard work ethic. Other romantic comedy movie would reveal the whys but couldn’t make the connection because it’s scared to get personal. THE PROPOSAL doesn’t mind crossing over to drama just a little bit to achieve a level of heartfelt sensitivity that usually becomes the reason why people come to watch these kinds of movies. You’re going to want to see those two become an item in the end because somehow you’d just know that they can take care of one another.

It’s not the funniest humor but it has its moments mostly thanks to legendary Betty White and her blunt comments. The golden girl’s still got it. TV series The Office actor Oscar Nunez plays the multi function Ramon who keeps showing up in different professions, the guy would make you feel uncomfortable but his presence is downright hilarious.
I gotta give props to Reynolds and Bullock and their brief nude scene. The fact that they’re willing to go that far to get you laughing and are successful in doing so earned my respect. I would find it hard to stay professional afterward. Bullock’s acting has always been just decent in my opinion. There are still times when you can see that she’s trying to shed tears but having a bit of a hard time executing it. But Bullock can make her character develop, the mean boss eventually lets her guards down after spending time and witnessing how cool Andrew really is.
Reynolds is Reynolds in all his movies, sometimes he’s a jerk, sometimes he’s a nice guy but what you see is Ryan Reynolds and that works for THE PROPOSAL, I never question his comedic timing and smartass remarks. I think what makes Andrew fall for Margaret is the fact that he knows her more than anybody else.
As an immigrant myself, THE PROPOSAL has a very unique place in my catalog.

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