"the Proposal" Review

Friday night was my monthly Girls Night Out with Memaw and Carla.  We originally planned on seeing My Sister's Keeper but then the younger girls including me decided we wanted to watch that movie with sisters and girlfriends so we had a change of plans. 

I have been a fan of Sandra Bullock since I saw her in the Speed movies.  I loved her in Hope Floats and an attorney from church took me to see Two Weeks Notice.  Family and friends saw Miss Congeniality and then it was brought to my attention that we resembled each other.  Could I be her long lost twin? 

The leading cast of The Proposal is:

• Sandra Bullock as Margaret Tate
• Ryan Reynolds as Andrew Paxton
• Mary Beth Steenburgen as Grace Paxton
• Craig T. Nelson as Joe Paxton
• Betty White as Gammy Annie
• Oscar Nunez as Ramone

Bullock plays Margaret Tate, the editor of a large publishing company, Colden Books.  Her assistant, Andrew Paxton, is played by Ryan Reynolds.  The movie opens with Andrew oversleeping and rushing off to buy two cups of coffee, having a cup spilled on him, begging a coworker to swap shirts with him and winding up in Tate's office.  Tate is the ultimate nightmare of a boss in the office.  When she is on her way people begin instant messaging each other, "The witch is on her broom..."

Andrew strives hard to please her because he has a goal, to become an editor.  Behind every successful woman is an assistant wanting her job.  Tate discovers that because she left the country to attend some function her Visa is being revoked and she must return to Canada.  She cannot even work for an American company or reapply for another Visa for another year.  So, she tells the INS investigatore that she is getting married and whom will that lucky fellow be?  None other than her assistant, Andrew Paxton.

I was in tears as I watched the scene where Bullock tells the INS inevestigator this.  Just watching Reynolds's facial expressions thru it all was priceless.  So you get the proposal on the street and then they have three days to get to know each other.  Reynolds is returning to his home in Citka, Alaska to attend his Gammy Annie's 90th birthday party and he takes Bullock with him.

My brother-in-law is from Venezuela and after 8 years was finally sworn in as a US citizen this spring.  I remember all the interviews that he and my sister had to go thru with INS.  So parts of this movie were very real to me as I got to see some of what my family may have experienced. 

The movie is predictable as you know the couple will eventually fall in love.  I went into the movie thinking of Green Card with Andie MacDowell and Gerard Depardieu.   "They marry, they meet, they fall in love."  The Proposal isn't that close to Green Card but if you have seen Green Card you have an idea how it will play out.

Watch The Proposal to discover the following:

• What does Margaret discover about Andrew's family and why has he never told her?
• Why can't Kevin the dog go outside unsupervised--this is a hilarious part of the movie!
• How many roles does Ramone have?
• Who gives Margaret a  wedding dress and necklace and the significance behind them both?
• What happens when the truth is unveiled?

There are so many belly aching moments that you will be crying because you are laughing so hard.  This movie is like doing ab crunches without all the intense exercising.  There are two fairly intense scenes that have sexual implications so I wouldn't suggest someone take a younger child with them.  You'll find humor in the moment but you might hear a lot of "why this" questions if you take a younger child.

Betty White brings with her all the humor that you saw in her role of Rose Nylon in the Golden Girls.  Mary Beth Steenburgen is the caring and doting mother who wants nothing more for her son to be happy.  So, when mother and grandmother discover the couple is "engaged" they decide they want them to get married before they go back to Chicago.  Thus, begins a whirlwind of lies, cover ups, wedding preparations and fun moments.  Craig T. Nelson has always wanted his son to follow in his footsteps and sets out to destroy his son.

Sandra Bullock looks thinner and toner than I have seen her in years.  But she's going to be thinner when you see her in the movie About Steve.   Ryan Reynolds had some scenes that would melt your heart.  The producers did a wonderful job pairing the two of them together.  The movie develops the characters really well.    

The Proposal teaches you that true love always wins.  It doesn't matter who stands in your way or what obstacles you must overcome.  Where there are willing hearts all things are possible.  I loved the movie and I look forward to adding it to my collection.

If you want a comedy-romance then The Proposal is for you.  If you want a movie that will pull at your heartstrings and then some then may I suggest My Sister's Keeper.