The Proposal

The Proposal is a romantic comedy about a pushy publisher who forces her young assistant to marry her to avoid deportation to Canada. The surprise engagement raises quite a few eyebrows, but it also leads to a hilariously awkward excursion to Alaska! Let’s consider the pros and cons of The Proposal…

Pros: Firstly, Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds are engaging leads with good chemistry and excellent comedic timing. The supporting cast, including Betty White and Craig T. Nelson, also give strong and enjoyable performances. Secondly, I think Anne Fletcher does a wonderful job showing us how someone as indifferent as Bullock’s character could find a heart during this unethical situation. Luckily, she learns from her mistakes and is a completely different person by the end of the movie. Lastly is the runtime which is just over 90 minutes. I’m glad this charming story hit all the beats it needed to without any lulls or excess.

Cons: There’s no getting around the contrived plot. It’s hard to believe that Bullock’s character could forget to file such crucial visa paperwork, yet that leads to the inciting incident. After being confronted with deportation she volunteers Reynold’s character to be her impromptu husband. I won’t write this movie off for having a silly plot, however it did occur to me that this story would never work if the roles were reversed. Or maybe it would work as horror movie, but I digress. I think it’s a cute story that definitely underplays the legal consequences of a fake marriage, but it’s also not taking itself seriously, which is okay.

I give The Proposal a B. It’s a predictable rom com, but the strong acting, funny situations, and short runtime make it an enjoyable watch for everyone. Sit back and be thankful this isn’t how your partner proposed to you! Happy Watching!

“Marry me.. Because I’d like to date you..”