Bullock+Reynolds+Mast = THE PROPOSAL movie review.
I actually saw a special advanced screening of this film two months ago at ShoWest but the all mighty studio embargo prohibited me from writing an early review. Since the film's release is right around the corner, I thought I'd go ahead and throw one together.
The Proposal offers up an easy to digest scenario. Sandra Bullock plays Margaret Tate, a shrew of a book editor who gets what she wants, when she wants. Miss demanding finds herself in the hot seat however, when she discovers that she'll be deported back to her native Canada unless...she gets married. Enter Andrew Paxton (played by Ryan Reynolds), Tate's loyal assistant. Truth be told, Andrew can't stand his boss, but if he's ever going to have a shot at a better position, he'll have to play ball. In typical sitcom fashion, the fake vows are exchanged and the zany antics ensue. Faster than you can say; "Fish out of water", Andrew drags Margaret to his home town so that he might convince his family that they really are in love, thereby convincing authorities that Margaret isn't trying to pull a fast one.
For the most part, Bullock and Reynolds make a fairly entertaining on screen couple. This despite the fact that Bullock is twelve years Reynolds' senior. Bullock actually plays against type here. Usually, she's the cute girl next door type. Here, she's the bitch next door type. Meanwhile, Reynolds takes the subtle route making you all but forget he's the same guy who played Van Wilder.
The comical situations tend to get a little absurd, as is often the case in films of this nature, but some of the gags are actually kind of funny. As stupid as it is, the bit in which a naked Bullock inadvertently falls on top of a naked Reynolds, works surprisingly well even though the events that lead to the payoff are incredibly forced.
The Proposal is what it is. It's silly and labored, but it does have moments of undeniable charm and it also has the lovely Betty White. This wily veteran pretty much lights up the screen every time she's in the frame. Maybe my expectations were low, or maybe it was because I watched this film with my wife on our fifteenth anniversary. Whatever the case may be, The Proposal didn't suck.
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