A Not so Romantic Proposal

Rating: 7/10 (12 November 2009)

"You can tell she is a good dancer by the way she drinks her soda pop."-Ramone
The Proposal is filled with awkward, sarcastic humor that had me crying with laughter at points. Although the story line is basically like every other romantic comedy, the actors are what made the difference because of their star status. It is a mix between Meet the Parents and The Devil Wears Prada. Although it may seem like another chick flick because of its title, it has a lot of crude humor and it makes a good date movie that both people can enjoy. It may not be winning any Academy Awards anytime soon, but it is definitely a must see if you have some time to waste.
The movie's premise is somewhat amusing. The scrip begins in New York City where a distressed, handsome assistant named Andrew Paxton, played by Ryan Reynolds, frantically tries to change his outfit before his boss named Margaret Tate, played by Sandra Bullock, sees that he spilled her coffee all over his shirt. As the despised boss walks into the office, everyone predictably switches from happy to serious. After being called into the CEO's office Margaret learns that she is being deported back to Canada. In the midst of the confusion, Andrew innocently walks into the office. Margaret uses this opportunity to announce the surprising news that her and Andrew are actually getting married. Andrew tries to play along because Margaret is his boss, but after realizing how much trouble he could get in if caught, he gives her an ultimatum: either she gives him a promotion to editor and publishes his script and he goes along with the engagement or he resigns and she gets flown back to Canada for a year. Reluctantly she promises to give him a promotion and a book deal. When the two fly up to Alaska for Andrew's Gannie's, played by Betty White, 97th birthday party, Margaret learns that he is not as poor as she thought. While driving though the small town every building has Andrews last name on it, "Paxton." When they reach the Paxton household it is anything but an Alaskan cottage. Margaret asks Andrew, "Why didn't you tell me you were some sort of Alaskan Kennedy?" Andrew replies with a sharp tone, "How could I? We were in the middle of talking about you for the last three years."
As the hilarious events play out during the weekend, Margaret starts to open up. Like in any romantic comedy, Andrew and Margate fall in love as they get to know each other. When Andrew's parents and Gannie ask them to get married that weekend, Margaret can't go through with lying to his wonderful family and she hands herself into immigration authorities. As Andrew is left alone at the alter, the viewer wonders if he is just going to let her go? If you have seen any other romantic comedy you will know the answer to that question.
Although I like this movie, I have some criticism for it. For instance not only is it a typical romantic comedy but it is just like the director's other films. Anne Fletcher, the director, directed the new movie 27 Dresses and was involved in the making of The Devil Wears Prada. They both take place in New York and have the same scene where the assistant is running around getting coffee for his/her boss. When viewing her movies, it seems that she takes random details and adds them to her other films. While it might be her hidden signature, I think she is just unoriginal. The movie also has the same cliché scenes that you see in most comedies, such as the one where an animal is let outside when it is not supposed to be, and the frantic person tries to get it back inside without the owners knowing. And to make it worse when they are in that scene the special effects seem to be from a 1990 film. Some scenes like the one with the dog should just be left out.
Although there are some minor issues with the film the fact that there are such great actors in the movie makes it a memorable one. Although she has mostly done TV shows like The Golden Girls, this is by far Betty White's best role. When being introduced to the infamous Margaret Tate she asks, "Do you prefer Margaret or Satan's Mistress"? Her sharp one-liners help lift the movie from its straight-to-DVD potential. Not only does Betty White's acting light up the screen, but so does the chemistry between Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds. In the beginning of the film you can feel the couple's awkwardness hover over the audience. As the film goes on, we are able to see the little signs that they actually like each other. For instance when he helps her out of the freezing water back into the boat and gives her new clothes to wear. He would have responded in such a nice manner two days prior.
Since the movie is mainly based in Alaska the scenery is gorgeous. The Paxtons live by the ocean with lush tress surrounding the back of the house. The high pixelation of the camera shows off the wonderful colors of the landscape, like the crisp blue color of the water and dark green grass. The best picture in the movie is when Margaret and Andrew are going to bed. Since the sun does not set during certain seasons in Alaska, the red, orange and yellow of the sun lays on top of the water reflecting into their room. They have to close the blinds to be able to sleep. The quality of filming in the movie makes up for the lack of originality in the script.