The Proposal

Let me get this straight. It’s about a guy who has to be blackmailed into marrying Sandra Bullock? Blackmailed? He’d have to be married to Scarlett Johansson for that to be realistic.

Ryan “Mr. Scarlett Johansson” Reynolds stars as Andrew - an overworked assistant to one of the world’s nastiest bosses, Margaret (Sandra Bullock). He has spent 3 years getting her coffee, setting up her appointments and taking her abuse, but hopes it will all lead to a promotion some day soon (don’t we all). However, it turns out Margaret is Canadian and facing deportation due to a paperwork issue. What’s the only way she can stay in the country?

Well, Margaret cuts a deal with Andrew. They will pretend to be engaged to be married. She will get to stay in the country, and he will get the promotion he always wanted.

Can the two fool Andrew’s family when they head back to Alaska for a visit?

Can I find a woman like Sandra Bullock who is so needy for her green card she’d be willing to marry me?

The Proposal is another one of these middle of the road movies that doesn’t elicit much emotion from me either way. Bullock and Reynolds both are fine comedic talents with great timing, movie star beauty and wonderful ability, but this is not a very challenging script or story.

Writer Pete Chiarelli and director Anne Fletcher put Margaret and Andrew through the typical paces without many surprises. Without even seeing the movie, you know they will start off hating each other. Then, we’ll have a few misunderstandings. Then, the ice will start to melt as they get to know each other and their problems. You get the idea.

Sadly, what ruins The Proposal is Fletcher’s decision to make the movie so serious as it moves towards the end. For the first 60% of the movie, The Proposal is a wacky romantic comedy with plenty of pratfalls and goofiness, kind of like a classic episode of Three’s Company. However, it goes all ER on us as it gets much too serious and dramatic as we move towards the big climax (you need George Clooney and Anthony Edwards to get this dramatic). It’s a shift in tone that is contrary to what you have been semi-enjoying all along.

The Proposal isn’t classic Sandra Bullock (or classic Ryan Reynolds for what that might be worth), but it can keep you entertained enough.

The Proposal is rated PG-13 for sexual content, nudity and language.