Movie MarauderThe Proposal
July 7th 2009 02:56
Margaret (Sandra Bullock) is a successful, no-nonsense, terror-inducing book editor who is also Canadian and working in the US with a soon to expire visa. Andrew (Ryan Reynolds) is her long-suffering assistant who dreams of one day becoming editor himself. The deal - Andrew must marry Margaret so that she can stay in the country and he can get the promotion he’s been working so hard towards. Win, win situation right? Well except for the fact that they now must go to Alaska for the Grammy’s 90th birthday and convince Andrew’s entire family they’re legit all the while a particularly zealous US immigration official is determined to expose them as frauds.
While it is essential for the plot line, it’s still great to see the role reversal in The Proposal. For once, it’s a woman in power and the guy running for the coffee, giving up weekends to work and being generally taken advantage of. But Andrew’s submissive attitude doesn’t stand once they leave New York. On his territory he’s off-hand, unhelpful and down right ungentlemanly as Margaret struggles with her stilettos and oversized luggage in what is the breathtaking but rugged landscape of Alaska.
It’s not much of a storyline to run with but The Proposal certainly has its charms. Bullock and Reynolds are refreshing and have a fantastic dynamic. As always, it’s impossible to not be endeared to Bullock’s Margaret as her cold outer shell melts away to expose the hurt and vulnerable character beneath. Bullock portrays this with her usual charms. It’s Reynolds, though, that shines with his comedic abilities. There is something very quirky and likeable about Reynolds who manages to balance being laughed at with being a real bloke. There are also some easy laughs to be had with the frequent and not altogether appropriate appearances of Ramone (Oscar Nunez).
The performance of its stars, along with the stunning backdrop and some genuine comedy are definitely reason enough to go see The Proposal.
Andrew and Margaret attempt to convince US Immigration
While it is essential for the plot line, it’s still great to see the role reversal in The Proposal. For once, it’s a woman in power and the guy running for the coffee, giving up weekends to work and being generally taken advantage of. But Andrew’s submissive attitude doesn’t stand once they leave New York. On his territory he’s off-hand, unhelpful and down right ungentlemanly as Margaret struggles with her stilettos and oversized luggage in what is the breathtaking but rugged landscape of Alaska.
It’s not much of a storyline to run with but The Proposal certainly has its charms. Bullock and Reynolds are refreshing and have a fantastic dynamic. As always, it’s impossible to not be endeared to Bullock’s Margaret as her cold outer shell melts away to expose the hurt and vulnerable character beneath. Bullock portrays this with her usual charms. It’s Reynolds, though, that shines with his comedic abilities. There is something very quirky and likeable about Reynolds who manages to balance being laughed at with being a real bloke. There are also some easy laughs to be had with the frequent and not altogether appropriate appearances of Ramone (Oscar Nunez).
The performance of its stars, along with the stunning backdrop and some genuine comedy are definitely reason enough to go see The Proposal.
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