Awesome "Proposal"

Rating: 10/10 (21 June 2009)

First off, Sandra Bullock is so hot nearly naked in "The Proposal". Her romantic lead Ryan Reynolds is completely ripped, seeing his shredded body is depressing. The two literally collide naked in a hysterical scene. Reynolds's Andrew screams, "Oh my G**!" Bullock's Margaret screams, "Why are you naked?" Andrew yells, "Why are you wet?" Director Anne Fletcher's "The Proposal" is the best romantic comedy of the year, by far. "The Proposal" brilliantly written by Peter Chiarelli is a cross between "The Devil Wears Prada" and Shakespeare's "Taming of the Shrew". "The Proposal" is formula; however, Fletcher and Chiarelli deliver flawlessly on point.
Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds have such amazing chemistry. I am such a fan of Bullock. She is beautiful, and masterfully transitions between comedic and poignant. There is a touching scene following Gammie's (wonderful Betty White) "Easter egg" hunt for Margaret's (Bullock) boobs in a wedding gown fitting. Gammie gives Margaret the family keepsake that has been in the Paxton family for generations. She tells Margaret that grandmothers want to feel like they will be part of their grandchildren's lives after they are gone. Bullock silently stares into the mirror as her eyes well up. I too welled.
After Margaret shares with Andrew (Reynolds) the significance of her tattoo, Andrew, who is sleeping on their bedroom floor says, "Don't take this the wrong way. You are a very, very beautiful woman." Reynolds is the new George Clooney. He is handsome, charming, and can deliver a line. Reynolds is going to be a huge star. He has the action star body, but his real gift is romantic comedy. Reynolds has great spirit. He and Bullock are awesome together. Whether Bullock hilariously reminds him, "Touch my ass one more time, and I'll cut your nuts off in your sleep." or when Reynolds quietly comforts Bullock in the boat, they land as real and authentic. "The Proposal" is hysterical and predictable, yet unexpectedly poignant-- celebrating the best in people.
In "The Proposal" Sandra Bullock plays Margaret Tate, high powered Type A and Editor-in-Chief of a New York Publisher. Scattered and smart Ryan Reynolds plays Andrew Paxton, her suffering and loyal executive assistant. Margaret asks if Andrew's family is telling him to quit his job. Andrew replies, "Every day." The Chairman Bergen (solid Michael Nori) informs Margaret that she is being deported—back to Canada. When Andrew interrupts the meeting, Margaret derives a solution. She informs Bergen, "We're, ah getting married." Stunned Andrew replies, " We are." However, Andrew now realizes that Margaret is beholding to him. The conspiracy is risky. Intrepid Immigration Agent (brilliantly stiff Denis O'Hare) warns the happy couple that if he uncovers fraud, Margaret will be deported and Andrew will go to jail for years.
So in the mean time, Margaret and Andrew travel back to his hometown of Sitka, Alaska to attend the 90th Birthday of his grandmother Gammie (Betty White), and announce their engagement. Margaret discovers that Andrew's family are the Kennedy's of Alaska. Andrew has not been home in 3 years, because his father Joe (great Craig T. Nelson) wants him to take over the family business, and stop messing around in New York. Andrew's passion is becoming an editor, and paradoxically his bond to Margaret despite the surface disdain. Mary Steenburgen is amazing as Andrew's mother Grace, who is the strong and understated peacemaker. She has a powerful scene where she tells Joe to clean it up with Andrew. Margaret also meets Gertrude (charming and pretty Malin Akerman), Andrew's ex-girlfriend. Margaret witnesses Andrew's life and dreams.
Can Andrew and Margaret pull off the charade, and the family induced wedding? Of course high jinx ensue. Margaret has her Blackberry high jacked by an eagle, and survives Sitka's only exotic male dancer (hysterical Oscar Nunez). Andrew stresses out that his Mom's dreams will be dashed when she discovers fraud. Here Fletcher balances humanity at the narrative arc. Margaret breaks down realizing her selfishness when she tells Andrew, "I forgot what it was like to have a family Have people love you" We kind of know how things will resolve in the "The Proposal", but that is never really the point. It is the things unsaid, like the look in Andrew's eyes when he realizes that he is in love with Margaret, that touch us. "The Proposal" is hysterical, smart, and all about love and heart.