Review: The Proposal

PLOT: Margaret Tate (Sandra Bullock) is the boss from hell. She’s a high-powered book editor in NYC who has abused and tormented her staff for years. When she finds out that she’s being deported, she informs her bosses that she’s engaged to her long-suffering assistant Andrew (Ryan Reynolds), much to his surprise. He agrees, but only if she promotes him.

With the deal in place, the unlikely couple must convince immigration officials of their “true love” by traveling to Alaska to meet Andrew’s rather quirky family. They fight, there are pratfalls, there is a fuzzy dog named Kevin. They are forced to kiss and sleep in the same room. They start to learn about each other…gee, I wonder how it’s going to end.

REVIEW: Despite that last sentence, I am going to do something I’ve never done before. I hope you’re all sitting down….ahem. I am actually going to say something nice about a chick flick.

I went into this thinking it was going to be as predictable as every single girl movie I’ve had the misfortune to be dragged to. And, well, it kind of was. I mean, you can tell the ending from the commercials. It’s one of the many things I can’t stand about chick flicks. (I suppose the same can be said of superhero films, but those have pretty explosions and shiny costumes.) Honestly, with two other actors in the lead roles, this would have been a TV movie of the week. But Reynolds and Bullock are just damn likable.

Yes, they both do the same schtick they always do. Bullock over pronounces words like “de-por-TED”, snorts while laughing and trips on her high heels. Reynolds has raised the sarcastic-yet-surprised look to an art form. I’m sure I’m going to be sick of them eventually, but it still works. In fact, the two of them doing what they do was…I can’t believe I’m going to say this…cute enough to distract me from the incredibly stupid dog-being-snatched-up by-an-eagle gag, and Betty White chanting around a fire.

Ah, Betty White. She’s adorable as Grandma Annie, no matter what stupid thing they make her do. I don’t know why, but old people who seem to have no problem with sex jokes and looking goofy make me happy. She was a riot. Again, the casting is what saves this film. Best by far is THE OFFICE’s Oscar Nunez. He plays Ramone, the jack-of-all-trades on the small Alaskan island. He’s the clerk of the general store, the preacher, the caterer and the island’s only exotic dancer. Seriously, this man in stripper undies is one of the funniest and most disturbing things I’ve seen in a long time.

There are a few serious problems with the script. Certain story lines are never resolved, and it seems like someone may have edited out the parts that would have explained things. Boys, I apologize for saying this, but Malin Ackerman is useless in this film. It’s not her fault. She does a good job as Andrew’s former fiance. But the character serves absolutely no purpose. There is no conflict with her, she appears only three times and she could have been cut without anyone noticing.

With the exception of Sandra Bullock rapping, I could have predicted each scene before it happened. That said, it’s is still surprisingly entertaining. If you are going to be forced to see a chick flick with your lady in exchange for her attendance at TRANSFORMERS: REVENGE OF THE FALLEN, pick this one. It’s painless and you might actually enjoy it.

God, I can’t believe I just said that. I’m sure this is a sign of the apocalypse. I’m going to go play an extra-violent video game to redeem myself.

RATING: 6/10…well, for a chick flick anyway.