I Propose You See The Proposal
So yesterday I went to the second showing at my local theater of the new Sandra Bullock flick, The Proposal and when I left the theater I was all smiles. I thoroughly enjoyed the movie. Then, I got to thinking about why I enjoyed it so much. I could easily just leave it as the quintessential chick flick but really, there is so much more to The Proposal then that.
And it starts with Sandra Bullock. True to form, Sandra proved once again where in film she excels at – comedy. As I have said before, her comic timing was spot on. From the expressions on her face as her character, Margaret Tate, witnessed her first ever Alaskan strip tease to watching her future grandmother-in-law’s new dog get carried away on eagle’s wings to literally bumping into a very naked Ryan Reynolds (my new found movie crush in character as Andrew Paxton) while also very naked, Sandra played each scene to perfection.
Then there’s the chemistry between the two main characters, Margaret and Andrew. The viewer is at first led to believe Andrew despises Margaret. That all changes within just a few scenes when the two characters begin discussing how much they know about each other as they prepare for their interview with the immigration agent. Margaret discovers that not only does Andrew know more about her than she about him but it’s what he knows about her and how he obtained the knowledge over time that impresses her and that lets the viewer in on the fact that old Andrew has deeper feelings for Margaret than what is originally perceived. While yes, that’s a typical chick flick plot point, still in this film it is also the turning point in the chemistry between the two characters, which truly leads to a FUN film to watch.
Now, mix in the comic genius that is Betty White and you have a winning casting combination! Betty was as superb as she usually is. Whether acting as the dear old grandma or taking a turn at inserting bills into the stripper’s pants during what was one of THE funniest scenes in the film or dancing and chanting in the middle of the woods to some Indian tribal chant, Betty proved why she is considered a legend of comedy.
The story behind The Proposal is not an unfamiliar one (think Green Card) and so the viewer can’t expect a truly imaginative plot. What they can expect is a modern take on it though.
Margaret Tate hears through her bosses that she is being deported back to her home country of Canada because of some issue with paperwork she never filed to keep her immigration status in check. While rambling on about how she can make her position as a top-notch book editor work from Canada (thanks to the advances of modern technology), in walks her very loyal and unsuspecting assistant, Andrew Paxton. It is at that moment that Margaret comes up with the brilliant scheme to marry him so that she can keep her Green Card status and her job. But, before they can say their “I dos”, Margaret and Andrew must pass an interview with an immigration agent…and a “test” by Andrew’s family in Alaska, where the two of them head for the weekend to spread the good news. That’s when the plot thickens and the comedy volume is turned up several notches.
While the story is very much a chick-flick, there are so many hilariously funny scenes in the film (a few of which I have already touched upon) that the viewer quickly forgets that. To continue to describe the ones I have already mentioned or any of the others would give away too much. I laughed so hard during this film that by the time I left the theater my stomach muscles ached.
And it’s a love story too. As with any romantic comedy, you find yourself rooting for the couple to fall in love. What sets this film apart from most others though is that there isn’t a sex scene or lots of displays of affection. Rather, there’s the anticipation of both of these elements that makes it work.
It’s a blissfully funny (and romantic) film. Sandra, Ryan, Betty, as well as Craig T. Nelson, Mary Steenburgen, and Oscar Nunez were superb in their roles. I give The Proposal
1/2 reels
Until next time, see YOU at the movies!
Lisa 
(Note: if you are looking for Michelle’s first post, it is ready to go but we ran into a technical difficulty. It’ll be up as soon as we can get that resolved. Look for her posting next week!)
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