Friday, June 19, 2009

Movie review: The Proposal gives romantic comedies a good name

By Alex Bentley

Romantic comedies have long been the most predictable films of any genre. The specifics may change, but the general premise is right there in the name -- romance. The entire purpose of every one of these films is for the man and the woman to end up together, so it should never be a shock when the two people on the poster end up kissing at the end of the movie.

The Proposal, starring Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds, adheres to that rule as steadfastly as virtually every other romantic comedy known to man, but that's not the reason it works. It works, for one, because the filmmakers cared about the details of the journey toward that happy ending and made sure to include as few clichés as possible. The movie isn't perfect – far from it, in fact – but it earns its stripes because it actually seems to respect its audience rather than pander to it.

This is pleasantly surprising since the film derives from such a lame premise: Margaret (Bullock) is a high-powered book publishing executive who's feared by her entire office. Andrew (Reynolds) is her executive assistant who heeds her every command: (The opening of the film, which shows Andrew getting coffee and then warning the office of Margaret's impending arrival is a shameless rip-off of The Devil Wears Prada). When news comes that Margaret, a Canadian, is facing deportation, she gloms on to Andrew, claiming that the two are engaged.

Ain't love grand?

In order to prove they're a real couple, Margaret goes along with Andrew on his planned trip to Alaska to visit his family and celebrate his grandmother's 90th birthday. This is normally the point where random, crazy situations crop up that threaten to expose the faux couple's lie. Instead, the audience is treated to random, crazy situations that exude nothing but sweetness, quite an accomplishment considering two of the situations involve the worst male stripper this side of Chris Farley and Margaret doing a spirit dance to Lil' Jon's “Get Low.” The sweetness mostly has to do with Andrew's mother (Mary Steenburgen) and grandmother (Betty White), both of whom warm to Margaret immediately, giving her a familial connection that had long been missing in her life. White, a national treasure, steals every scene she's in with her radiant charm.

In addition to the premise and stolen opening, the film does have other evident flaws. In order to speed things along to the romance part, the story doesn't really take the time to establish the core personalities of both lead characters. Margaret is described as a witch, yet apart from coldly firing an employee early on, her temper is mild at best, and any remaining ire melts as soon as she gets to Alaska. Bullock may have that kind of range, but the film doesn't allow her to fully display it. Reynolds has it a bit easier in his role since his character doesn't change as much, but he's still a bit of an odd fit playing a 30-something glorified secretary.

If Betty White wants to feel you up, you let her feel you up.

But for the most part, the film is able to gloss over those mistakes through the skills of its cast and crew. Bullock is one of the queens of romantic comedies, and she and Reynolds have a natural rapport that easily sells their budding relationship. Director Anne Fletcher (27 Dresses) and first-time screenwriter Pete Chiarelli do a fine job of giving plausible reasons for even the contrived scenes and, most importantly, it never feels like they're forcing the action just for the sake of the plot.

The Proposal can't be placed in the pantheon of great romantic comedies, but it's a better-than-average effort that gives the audience plenty to hold on to. Plus, Bullock and Reynolds share a naked-except-for-strategically-placed-objects scene, something that will likely please people of any persuasion.

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• Movie review: My Sister’s Keeper (June 26, 2009)

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