THE PROPOSAL (REVIEW)
If
there ever was a film where if you have seen the trailer you have almost seen
the whole movie, then this is it.
'The Proposal' stars the
wonderful Sandra Bullock. At 44, she still radiates a certain charm that's won
over audiences time and time again. Her latest character Margaret Tate doesn't
start out so nice however. She rules her New York publishing house sending co-office
workers scattering upon her presence. Margaret is a career woman without a pulse.
In
comparison, her long suffering personal assistant Andrew Paxton (Ryan Reynolds)
scurries around after her at bay for her every need while getting his hopes dashed
for advancement on a daily basis. This unstable scenario is about to be reversed.
Margaret is told she is about to be deported back to her Canadian homeland due
to a blunder within her work visa. A little quick despicable on the spot thinking
later, she bullies Andrew into marriage for a green card.
The
happy 'couple' go off to Alaska together for the weekend back to Andrew's family
for his grandmother's birthday. He realises the power he has on hand and uses
it as payback at first. But like any good rom-com, opposites attract, yet again!
Were it not have been for the screwball comedy timing and
energy that Bullock and Reynolds are able to conjure up, 'The Proposal' would
have been abandoning rather than illuminating. Most of the Paxton family take
in Margaret in like one of their own, her stiff demeanour slowly breaks down but
the hidden secret for being there is always going to be revealed at some point.
A tumbling nude scene, without body doubles, gets the most
laughs and the surprising serenity of the finale worked for me. Sandra Bullock
can do these roles blindfolded, just see the superior 'Two if by Sea' and 'Miss
Congeniality', but Ryan Reynolds, actually from Canada himself, proves a good
catalyst opposite his seasoned co-star.
It was good to see
veteran actor Michael Nouri, of the retro classic 'Flashdance' fame, appear in
a rare cameo as Margaret's distinguished boss. For a light romantic trip without
any inhibitions, this should bring a joyous tear to your eye.
Shane
A. Bassett
