**FILM ONLY** (DVD release date not yet announced)
Luckily enough I managed to get free tickets to the preview screening of "The Proposal", a film, which after seeing the trailers for, I really wanted to see, so getting there for free made it even more enjoyable!
The story centres around the main characters Margaret Tate played by Sandra Bullock and Andrew Paxton played by Ryan Reynolds. Margaret Tate is everyone's nightmare boss, a real tyrant, who everyone who works for her hates. A real hard woman, who seemingly has no feelings and certainly does not seem to care about how others feel. She is good at her job as the chief editor of a book publishing company, although cold hearted she gets the work done and does it well and for that is respected by her bosses. When Margaret's bosses tell her that there has been a problem with her work visa and that they see no way around Margaret being deported back to Canada the quick thinking Margaret has her own ideas on how to get around the situation.
Andrew Paxton, Margaret's faithful Personal Assistant, works very hard for her; he knows everything about her and is always there for her even although he doesn't like her. He loves his job, he loves books and hopes one day to become an editor, but of course Margaret does not
appreciate what he does for her. She knows nothing about him and only assumes things about him. When he unwittingly enters the meeting between Margaret and her bosses it is then that Margaret announces their engagement to their bosses and stupidly the ever-faithful assistant goes along with it.
They seem to think at first that their marriage farce will be easy to pull off, a quick marriage and a quick divorce with Margaret gaining US citizenship in the process, but when an immigration officer informs them that he knows their relationship is false and will do everything in his power to bring them down Andrew sees that he can possible gaining something from this situation too. He tells Margaret that he is risking a $250,000 fine and 5 years in prison for her and wants promotion to editor for his trouble.
To try and prove their relationship is "real" they head off to Alaska to stay with Andrew's family for the weekend to celebrate his grandmother's 90th birthday party.
Sandra Bullock's performance was outstanding. I can't really say I have ever been disappointed with any of her performances but this one is definitely one of her best. She gives it all, playing the cold-hearted tyrant very well. She looks great, has a lovely smile and although you wanted to hate her character I think we all know right from the start there is a heart in there somewhere. She just needs someone to find it. She made me laugh so much throughout the whole film with just little everyday things. When she arrived in Andrew's small hometown in Alaska she was obviously not kitted out for the great outdoors with her stilettos and short dresses. It was way in which she walked and the way she looked at the locals, obviously thinking she was far superior while it was actually her who looked ridiculous and was the laughing stock.
Although having heard of Ryan Reynolds, I have never seen him in a film before and warmed to him immediately. He also played his role superbly, being a very convincing loyal assistant who because he loved his job and truly loved books was willing to put up with working all hours and for a tyrant boss who really did not appreciate him at all. I liked the way his character changed from the wimpy assistant at the start who would do anything for his boss to the much stronger character, who when the tables are turned in his favour uses the upper hand to prove to Margaret that he isn't the pushover she might think he is. A much stronger character who, like Margaret, is willing to use situations to get what he wants out of life but not in the cold-hearted way that Margaret does.
Andrew's mother and father Grace and Joe Paxton are played by Mary Steenburgen and Craig T Nelson who also give good strong performances with Mary Steenburgen remaining as beautiful as ever with her warm and friendly smile.
His Grandma Annie is played by Betty White who I personally feel actually stole the show in 2 or 3 of the scenes. Her character was brilliant; the typical grandmother figure who can see through every situation and always seems to know what is for the best, taking no nonsense along the way. She was an absolute scream, just a cheeky little old lady with everyone's best interests at heart.
Oh and I can't forget to mention the dog. The family's puppy, who they rescued from the pound, is absolutely gorgeous!
I loved every one of the 108 minutes of this film. I haven't laughed so much at a film for years. Although a typically predicable romantic comedy it certainly managed to hold my attention from start to finish, because although we knew ultimately how the film would end we didn't know how they would get there and all the fun and laughs and heartaches they would have along the way. Even my 16-year-old son laughed out loud all the way through, which is unheard of, it's normally just a smirk from him.
I would definitely recommend this film to all, a really great feel good film with a lot of healthy laughter along the way.
Certificate 12A.
İlel1969
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Comedy - Director: Tony Dow - Original Language: English - Classification: 12 years and over - Starring: John Challis, David Jason, Nicholas Lyndhurst, Tessa Peake-Jones, Gwyneth Strong
Comedy - Director: Richard Boden, Mandie Fletcher, Martin Shardlow - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Hugh Laurie, Miranda Richardson, Stephen Fry, Brian Blessed, Tim McInnerny, Tony Robinson, Rowan Atkinson
Comedy - Original Language: English - Classification: 12 years and over - Starring: Tessa Peake-Jones, Buster Merryfield, David Jason, Nicholas Lyndhurst
Aug 18th, 2009
exceptional by (3%):
very helpful by (97%):
