If it had ended differently, I would have liked it more.

Rating: 5/10 (8 April 2010)

After she is discovered as being a Canadian without a working visa, this bossy she devil of a woman black mails her young assistant into marrying her so she can stay in the U.S. Hilarity would then ensue as they try to fake this engagement to his family.
This rom-com did pretty well at the box office, I'd have to say that it is because of the comedic chemistry of the two main stars. Both Reynolds and Bullock do very well in the film and since they are actual friends in real life, their comedic timing is great when they work off one another. The film is set up nicely and it works until the obvious romantic comedy ending comes into play. It's almost as if there is an unspoken rule that must be followed, every romantic comedy must end the same way. I was praying for this one to throw the audience a curveball, but that never came. I find it harder and harder to enjoy films like this where you can map out every single plot point and turn in the film.
The supporting cast really held the film together for the most part. Betty White steals every scene she is in,. Mary Steenburgen and Craig T. Nelson are Reynolds parents, they fit their roles nicely, but could have been used a bit more. Steenburgen is playing a nicer version of what she did in Step Brothers and Nelson is playing a meaner version of what he did in The Family Stone. These two talents are used nearly enough in this film. I'm still wondering what the purpose of having Malin Akerman in the film was, her character seemed to be complete filler and after seeing this film people may never look at Oscar from the Office the same ever again.
The film hits every romantic comedy cliché it possibly can, everyone it hit I died a little bit inside. I wanted this one to be different. Of course they start off not liking each other, of course while they fake it they unknowingly start liking each other, of course she feels bad at the end for doing what she is doing, of course their plan backfires and everyone finds out, of course there is a mad chase to get the girl before it's too late, of course he professes his love for her that they think is real and of course the audience begin rolling their eyes. Spoilers? I don't know, it seemed pretty obvious from the beginning. Can I fault it for following the same formula that every film before it does? Yes, of course I can.
I suppose to you are into those films, ones that you know exactly what is going to happen but seem to love it anyway, then the Proposal is for you. It's a film for those people that don't care what happens and just want to laugh at the awkward moments the characters are put in, such as naked to naked colliding and eagle stealing dog scenes. Reynolds has done his fare share of romantic comedy films and needs to go into another direction. He has talent, he needs to start using them for different material.