From the opening credits that depict the differing lifestyles of our star-crossed lovers, all conducted to that twee, twinkling, upbeat yet unremarkable piano music that strikes fear into the soul of originality, The Proposal smacks of formulaic.
It’s tempting to recommend using the 90-odd minutes spent watching this to write your own rom-com and submit it to the studios, because one thing is for sure, it will have taken you 85 minutes more than it must have taken to conjure up this saccharine screenplay, and possibly be a whole lot better.
The Everest of high-concept comedy plots, this centres on a high flying, uptight book publisher (Sandra Bullock) who coerces her long time assistant (Ryan Reynolds) into marrying her in order to stave off the threat of deportation. When the government investigates the impending nuptials, Margaret and Andrew are forced to spend a family weekend in Alaska in order to cement the lie and achieve their own selfish agendas. What’s that you say? You can see what coming a mile off?
If it wasn’t for the fantastically likeable pair of Bullock and Reynolds, The Proposal would be a very different, erm, proposition. She hasn’t been this kookily entertaining since Miss Congeniality, and he continues to impress with his multi-genre taste in project choice (even if they aren’t always successful – see Wolverine). The awkward engagement story during which they trip over their lines and the undeniably sweet bedroom exchanges can’t hide the cut ‘n’ paste nature of the plot. There’s a dash to the airport ending, for crying out loud!
Everything about it is cartoonish, from the unbelievable shallowness of the central pairing (c’mon, would anybody ever do that for a promotion??) to the litany of ridiculous set pieces: an eagle snatching a dog, a shamanistic granny, and a scene of naked shenanigans that would have the Carry On team rolling their eyes. And just when there’s the slightest possibility that you are about to be seduced by the Bullock/Reynolds charm, the hackneyed script throws up another clanger of a scenario.
The Proposal is a harmless date movie that will turn your brain to mush, and you have only yourselves to blame for being lured in by the now standard guy-leaning-on-girl poster. However, on reflection not only will you long for the days of Grant and Hepburn, but sadly, McConaughey and Hudson too.
[etRating value=“ 2”]
Friends Read Free