A longer period of time and better screenplay could make this a top comedy

Rating: 5/10 (22 January 2019)

"The Proposal" is a fair comedy, but it's a stretch to call it a comedy romance. Sandra Bullock is a very good actress, and she shows it in her role as Margaret Tate in this film. She does so well convincing the audience that she is a tyrant and witch to work for, that the romantic switch in just three days just isn't believable. And, there's absolutely zero chemistry between the two leads (Bullock and Ryan Reynolds), which cements it as too far out. So, instead of a strange mixture that eventually works in the laboratory of life, this relationship bombs the film.
The rest of the cast are good, but no one stands out. The story is an okay one, but had the plot been made to play out over a little more time, with some gradual changes in Tate's character, it would have given the film a more pleasant air of believability. And, Reynolds seems too much the schoolboy opposite Bullock. So, his part either had to change to be a little naturally attracted to Tate in the first place, or they needed another actor for the part.
What makes this film at all funny are the occasional funny lines, and the camera work. The production moves nicely from the hustle and bustle of the Big Apple and office life there, to the serene vistas and landscape of Alaska. The latter was filmed on the East Coast of New England.
This is one of those films that could have been a comedy masterpiece. Having the story take place over two to four weeks, with more story in a much better screenplay could have put it over.
Here are some of the funniest lines in the film. For more dialog, see the Quotes section under this IMDb Web page of the movie.
Margaret, "They are going to make Bob chief. Andrew, "So, naturally, I would have to marry you?"
Margaret, "They're hunting for terrorists, not for book publishers."
Grammy, "Well, now, do you prefer being called Margaret or Satan's mistress? We've heard it both ways. Actually, we've heard it lots of ways." Grace Paxton, "She's kidding."
Grammy, "You see the shoes that broad is wearing?"
Andrew Paxton, "C'mon. Let's go. My grandma's moving faster than you."