THE PROPOSAL
US, 2009, 108 minutes, Colour.
Sandra Bullock, Ryan Reynolds, Mary Steenburgen, Craig T. Nelson, Betty White, Dennis O’ Hare, Malin Akerman, Oscar Nunez, Michael Nouri.
Directed by Anne Fletcher.
To say that this romantic comedy with the touch of old-time screwball comedy is predictable is not meant as a put- down. Yes, we have a fair idea where it will all end up. But, that is not the point. The point, of course, is to see how this film does the predictable and how the stars step into the shoes of couples that have shone at this kind of comedy before.
It is a very pleasant comedy and touched a US box-office nerve earning more than $100,000,000 in its first month. Not that this is necessarily a recommendation but it does indicate that it offers popular entertainment.
Sandra Bullock has proved a skilled comedienne in a number of comedies like Miss Congeniality. This time she, is Margaret, the hard business executive in a publishing firm whom everybody dislikes and many fear. The first minutes of the film where she is shown in operation are well done and funny.
Ryan Reynolds started in some crass comedies but has proven himself adept at both serious and comic roles. He is (Andrew) the assistant whom the boss imposes on, takes for granted and knows really nothing about.
The key to the plot is the fact that Margaret is Canadian and has neglected to fill in her visa documents. She will be deported. It is a green card situation. So, the odd couple agree to the fraud – she blackmailing him about being fired. The authorities are suspicious. But, off Margaret and Ndrew go to Alaska, to his family gathering for his grandmother's 90th birthday. Up there in Alaska, they're fairly extraverted and boisterous. Margaret is quite a fish out of water – the butt again of a lot of comedy. Betty White and Mary Steenburgen are lively as grandmother and mother. Craig T. Nelson is severe as the father.
You know there is going to be some mellowing, some love and a happy ending but there is a lot of battle of the sexes before that. And the reversal of roles with the woman as the boss and the man the put-upon assistant is interesting and enjoyable.
It won't stay in the memory much, but it is pleasant while it is there and the stars are very attractive and work very well together – even when they are fighting.
1.The blend of romantic and screwball comedy? The reversal of the authority tradition, the woman boss with the man assistant? The battle of the sexes? The mellowing of the battle?
2.The New York settings, apartments, streets and offices, the bureaus of government? A New York busy story?
3.The contrast with Alaska, the isolation, the beauty of the mountains and snow, the plane ride, the sea, the island, the town and the stores, the mansion? The musical score, the songs and the music for the strip scene?
4.The introduction to Margaret: busy, on the phone, ruthless, Andy as her assistant, everybody afraid of her, on the lookout for her, sending the emails of warning, the coffee spilt on his shirt, Andy getting another one? Her comments about his choice for coffee? The interview with Bob, confronting him, firing him? The bosses calling her in – the visa problem?
5.The introduction to Andy, waking up, late, hurrying to work, buying the coffee, the yes-man for Margaret, spilling the coffee, getting the shirt, offering his advice? His role as secretary, as assistant with no promotion? Accompanying Margaret everywhere?
6.The visa situation, her being deported, her carelessness in not filling out the document? Her idea of the arranged marriage, the Green Card situation? Threatening to fire him? His answering and pressurising her to be editor? The proposal in the street, getting her on her knees?
7.The official, not believing them? Her pushing into the line? The threats? The interrogation of family and friends? The issue of information, what he knew about her, what she didn’t know about him?
8.The phone call for his grandmother’s ninetieth birthday? Her decision to go, uncomfortable, the flight, awkwardness on the ladder, on the boat, not able to swim, the clothes and the shoes? The situation, pretending to be engaged, acting in a lovey-dovey way, being forced to kiss? The room, the bed, settling on the floor? Breakfast in bed and the pretence? The clashes between the two? Her encounter with the dog, trying to get rid of him, the dog taking the phone? The comedy of her having the shower, the towel, his coming in? The collision? Her going shopping? With Andy’s mother and grandmother? The effect of the visit to the strip joint? The reappearance of Ramon in every situation from waiter, to shop, to the stripper? Finally being the officiator at the wedding?
9.Betty White as Gran: a vigorous ninety, her Indian background, love of nature, the dance and getting Margaret to dance with her in the woods? Andy’s mother, cheerful? His father, more morose, hitting the golf balls, arguing with his son, discovering the truth, inviting the officer to Alaska?
10.Andy and the fact that he was rich, Margaret not knowing this? His situation at home, wanting to go to New York, writing, being an editor? Not wanting to carry on the family business? All the shops in the town owned by the family? His friendship with Gertrude in the past? Honouring his word to Margaret? Working hard, wanting the shower, the naked clash with Margaret?
11.The father and his suggestion for the wedding, the plans, Margaret being fitted for the dress, the grandmother’s dress? The detail, the lavish expectations?
12.The agent, his presence at the wedding, his threat to both of them, their decision to go through with the wedding, Andy being firm? The agent’s smiles, hoping for the expose?
13.The ceremony itself, everyone there, Ramon as minister, cheerful, Andy willing?
14.Margaret, walking up the aisle, the decision to make the speech, the truth, leaving? Andy and everyone urging him to follow her? Hurrying in the car, the contact with the tower, unable to stop the plane?
15.Margaret, in the office, packing? Andy’s arrival, everybody amazed, the proposal?
16.The happy ending – why not?
