The Proposal

Anne Fletcher's, "The Proposal" is the latest addition to the most cliched and predictable movie genre in the history of the human race...the romantic comedy.

The plot and the characters have been seen in some capacity in movies for many decades. It's for this reason that "The Proposal" is not original at all. However, this does not take away from the fact that it is just overall a fun, enjoyable movie. The cast which includes Sandra Bullock, Ryan Reynolds, Craig T. Nelson, Mary Steenburgen, and Betty White, are probably the strongest parts of the movie. Everyone, especially Betty White in several scene stealing moments is extremely capable at doing comedy. At the very least it's worth one viewing for a dollar at Hannaford.



The plot is simple enough and the outcome can be predicted almost immediately after the opening credits end but here goes...Margaret Tate (Sandra Bullock) is the editor-in-chief of a book publishing company and Andrew Paxton(Ryan Reynolds) is her assistant. As it turns out Magaret is Canadian and is going to be deported. However, there is one way that she can stay in the United States and keep her job...marry an American...and fast. So she forces Andrew to marry her, despite the fact he hates her because she isnt's a terribly pleasant person. The two go under an intense government anaylisis to make sure the marriage isnt just a ploy for Magaret to remainin the country. After the "engagement" the two go up to Sitka, Alaska where Magaret meets Andrews family, including his parents (Craig T. Nelson and Mary Steenburgen) and his grandmother (Betty White) and tell them about the proposed marriage...bet you can't guess what ends up happening between Magaret and Andrew.

Ryan Reynolds and Sandra Bullock have great chemistry in the movie. Which works out great especially since they both run into each other naked at one point. The two play off each other wonderfully and the interaction feels natural. Unfortunately Craig T. Nelson and Mary Steenburgen who are great, experienced actors did not get enough screen time. Therefore, they weren't used to their full potentials and were given pretty bland characters to play. Betty White is by far the best part of the entire movie. She has been doing comedy for over half a century so as expected she is quite experienced. All her scenes, ranging from giving Magaret and Andrew the "baby maker" blanket to chanting around a fire in the forest are just a pleasure to watch. She could have used a lot more screentime.

The writing, although pretty uninspired works for the type of movie "The Proposal" is. Whatever the script lacks in originality the actors make up for in comedic talent and energy. Overall many of comedic scenes are executed well, except for that whole scene with "the only male stripper in Alaska", which was strange and unnecessary and someone should really apologize to Sandra Bullock.

"The Proposal" has gotten mixed reviews and won't be nominated for any major awards...ever...but its a good, funny summer movie with a great cast and it's worth a try if you like any of the cast members or the director, who also did "Step Up" and "27 Dresses." And Betty White, for me anyways, makes the movie worth seeing. At 87 she is still incredible at doing comedy...2 1/2 stars...most of them due to Betty White...yep former "Golden Girl"

-Joseph Sbrilli