When a successful, yet despised editor is threatened with deportation, what lengths will she go to in order to keep her job?
Margaret Tate (Sandra Bullock) gives the term “boss from hell” a whole new meaning. The employees in her office have a creative way of keeping track of her and warning each other that “the witch is on her broom”. I could sure relate; just kidding. Andrew Paxton (Ryan Reynolds) is Margaret’s assistant who bends over backwards to meet her constant demands while putting up with her “terrorism” – as he refers to it. When Margaret’s work visa expires, she blackmails Andrew into marriage to stay in the country. Now Andrew is in charge!
Andrew takes Margaret to his family’s home in Alaska to announce their ‘engagement’. Margaret is on Andrew’s turf; she is instantly welcomed by Andrew’s mother as part of the family. Since Margaret’s parents passed away when she was 16, having no one, she had forgotten what it felt like to be included in a family.
The newly engaged couple has to keep up the illusion that they are in love and soon to wed. There are some awkward, yet hilarious, moments. If you’ve seen the previews, you’ll remember the scene where Margaret and Andrew collide in the buff. But, the set-up and the actual delivery in the theater were just plain hilarious.
Andrew’s ‘Gammy’ (Betty White) stole every scene she was in – that Golden Girl has still got it! There was one scene in particular with Sandra Bullock and her that had me laughing so hard I was crying, all I will say is “To the window, to the wall”. Craig T. Nelson and Mary Steenburgen were great as Andrew’s parents, Joe and Grace. There were some underlying Daddy issues between Joe and Andrew which caused a minor amount of drama. I have to give credit to Ramone (Oscar Nunez from “The Office”) who pulled off a versatile character with many occupations – chiefly, unsexy stripper. Anytime I hear Frankie Goes to Hollywood’s “Relax” I will forever see his greasy, gyrating form flopping around on the stage in my mind’s eye – so, thanks for that Director Anne Fletcher.
The movie flowed well and the writing and acting were both excellent. The majority of the movie was set in Alaska and it looked really pretty there. Now I want to go visit!! Overall, a very funny movie with a great (and great-looking!!) cast.
“The Proposal” is Sandra Bullock’s first movie in two years, and I was glad to see her on screen again. She is one of my favorite actresses and just so funny. Ryan Reynolds has great comedic timing as well; the chemistry between these two really mixed well on screen. It would be nice to see them together again, soon I hope.
Is the scam revealed? Do Margaret and Andrew go through with the wedding and and live happily ever after or is Margaret deported? I’m not telling! You’ll just have to take my word for it, the outcome does not disappoint.
