While You Were Sleeping ....Take 2

Rating: 6/10 (24 January 2010)

Although entertaining to a point, there are too many similarities to other comedies to make THE PROPOSAL anything but ordinary.
Most notably I found the plot to be very similar to another, older Sandra Bullock movie, WHILE YOU WERE SLEEPING. But this time we have an accomplice in the deceit and he's not in a coma. Seriously. Think about it...
A woman who is in need of something (in this case a need NOT to be deported) comes up with a plan to achieve that goal (whether by accident – While You Were Sleeping – or not – The Proposal). Girl falls for the wrong guy. Guy falls for wrong girl. Family gets fooled. Girl confesses and thinks she's lost everything. Guy chases down girl with the approval of the family. Everyone lives happily ever after. Ta-da! The entertainment value in the film comes from the first half of the movie in which we have plenty of comedic zingers flying about, including quite a few from Grandma Annie (Betty White) while trying to dress Margaret (Sandra Bullock, THE LAKE HOUSE) in a wedding dress and losing – then finding – her breasts.
The cast is good in their respective roles, including main love interest Ryan Reynolds (SMOKIN' ACES) playing Andrew Paxton, a sort of rich boy playing poor boy in order to tick-off his father, Joe, played by Craig T. Nelson (THE FAMILY STONE). Nelson just seems to be going through the motions during the entire film and never really gains and traction. As does Mary Steenburgen (THE DEAD GIRL) who plays Reynold's mother.
The other problem with the casting is that we just don't get that romantic air between Bullock and Reynolds' characters. She is obviously much older than him (can you say "cougar?"), which isn't always a problem but, again, there just didn't seem much attraction going on. They fight, argue and never really resolve anything before miraculously falling in love ...because of one kiss? Let's get real...
Even with these flaws, the comedic timing is excellent and the visual backdrops of Boston and the (supposed) Alaskan countryside can take one's breath away. Also, the Paxton family house is stunning to see.
Looking for something original? Not here. Want a fantastic romance story? Not here either. Looking for something entertaining, funny, and visual appealing? Give this one a try.