Thursday, July 2, 2009

The Proposal *** (rave)






This is my first 'chick flick' review - I was in the mood for a little light entertainment and I picked "The Proposal" starring Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds to see today.

I've got to say... I really liked this one.

Yes, it inhabits the familiar 'romantic comedy' formula we've seen a million times, but the chemistry between Bullock and Reynolds made it really enjoyable for me.

In it, Bullock plays a 'dragon-lady' book editor. She's Canadian (from Toronto, no less), working in New York, and is informed that her Visa has been denied. - She's going to be deported and lose her high-power job. In an attempt to save her position, she coerces her assistant (played by Reynolds) to marry her so she can stay in the country. He agrees to the fake arrangement and takes her home to Alaska, where she meets his family, in the hopes that getting to know him better will help them convince the State that their "love" for one another is real.

I picked this movie because I've always been a fan of Sandra Bullock's. Like everyone, she's made some bad movies (anyone seen "The Net?") But I've always found her funny. And I like that she's one of the 'beautiful people' that can take the piss out of herself. She has no problem acting silly or being vulnerable, and she just strikes me as someone I would like if I met her on the street.

As someone quite unfamiliar with Reynold's work, I was surprised with how taken I was with his character in this film. He was charming, quick-witted, thoughtful, and not too hard to look at either. The two of them kept a stupid grin on my face the entire time I watched their comical escapades and I was really rooting for the 'happy ending' for them (that, of course) I knew I was going to get.

Betty White is one of the co-stars (playing Reynolds' Grandma Annie) and she's got all the unabashed one-liners you'd expect from her. Her character in this movie is very similar to the character she played in "Lake Placid" (except 'Gammie' likes to chant in the woods occasionally).

Watching the film, although it reminded me of another Sandra Bullock film - "While You Were Sleeping" (another movie about a fake relationship leading to a fake marriage), I couldn't help but enjoy it. As far as romantic comedies go - there are no new ideas. Every thing's already been done. But I did find the dry humour throughout the film refreshing. And even though there are parts of the movie that are over-the-top silly, I REALLY liked the characters.

I wanted some light entertainment today, and that's exactly what I got. And I'm happy to report that when I got the 'happy ending' that I knew I was going to get; I couldn't have been happier.




















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