REVIEW: The Proposal (2009)

Striding onto the scene as boss-from-hell, Margaret Tate, in The Proposal, Sandra Bullock looks as though she would like nothing better than to take that suffocating America’s Sweetheart label and crush it beneath her sky-high stilettos. Alas, if only Disney would let her. As fate would have it, or, rather, as mandated by romcom conventions, this shrew must be tamed. Facing the prospect of deportation to Canada after some paperwork falls through, Margaret blackmails her weak-willed assistant, Andrew Paxton (Ryan Reynolds), into marrying her. Forced to travel to Andrew’s home in Alaska with an immigration officer hot on their trail, they must maintain the charade in front of his friends and family despite their disdain for each other.

Rounding out the cast are the usual suspects — Mary Steenburgen as Andrew’s sweet and supportive mom, Craig T. Nelson as his demanding dad, and Betty White as his kooky Grandma Annie. Newcomers include Malin Akerman as Andrew’s former childhood sweetheart in a thankless, lackluster role and Oscar Nuñez as one of those ever-present, small town fixtures (read: comic relief) who moonlights as an exotic dancer for Margaret’s impromptu bachelorette party.

Of course, it’s only a matter of time before Bullock’s ice queen, more affectionately known as “Satan’s Mistress,” melts and Reynold’s pushover inevitably grows a spine. Predictable premise aside, The Proposal knows its target audience and makes the most of its stars’ knack for screwball comedy. While Bullock is definitely the bigger box office draw, Reynolds gives as good as he gets. He’s been floundering in frat-boy movie purgatory for much of his career, but with last year’s underrated Definitely, Maybe (2008), and now The Proposal, he proves that he has more to offer as that rare star who isn’t intimidated to play second fiddle to some of Hollywood’s funniest leading ladies.

Bullock and Reynolds are certainly no Tracy and Hepburn, but they’re a winsome pair with lively banter, endearing chemistry, and uncanny comedic timing. Now if only they had a vehicle worthy of their talents, one with a little subtlety that wouldn’t have to literally throw them together (in a naked collision no less) to manufacture a happily-ever-after. (Liesl Swanbeck)

Opens Nationwide on Friday, June 19th