The Proposal: A cross between The Devil Wears Prada and Green Card
If you’re looking for an entertaining, funny movie, look no further than The Proposal. The movie is a cross between The Devil Wears Prada and Green Card, with Sandra Bullock playing Margaret, a rude, ruthless executive. She is so difficult that the other employees in the New York City publishing firm refer to her as “it.” Hoping desperately for a promotion to editor, Andrew (played by Ryan Reynolds) has spent the last three years as Margaret’s assistant fulfilling every obnoxious request—even midnight tampon runs. When Margaret, a Canadian, is informed she’s about to be deported she orders Andrew to marry her so she can stay in the country.
They go to the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) offices where they are apprehended by an INS officer. He was tipped off by a disgruntled employee, who was fired by Margaret, that their upcoming wedding is a sham. Margaret and Andrew are forced to spend time together so that their relationship appears genuine and also to learn enough about each other to pass a test given by the officer. Failure is not an option—it would result in permanent deportation for her and extensive jail time for him.
Andrew finally has a release valve—and leverage over Margaret—after three years of frustration. His cynical, sarcastic one-liners and facial expressions are hilarious. Ironically, Andrew is actually the perfect catch for just about any woman, which comes as a complete surprise to Margaret.
They travel together to Sitka, Alaska, Andrew’s hometown, to celebrate his Grandma Annie’s 90th birthday. Annie is played by Betty White, whose performance is perhaps the best part of the movie. At 87, she’s just as feisty and original as the character Sue Ann Niven was, when she first appeared on The Mary Tyler Moore Show in the 1970’s. In fact, the first thing she says to Sandra Bullock is, “Do you prefer to be called Margaret or Satan’s Mistress?”
The more time they spend with Andrew’s quirky family, including Mary Steenburgen, who plays Andrew’s mom, and Craig T. Nelson, who plays Andrew’s dad, the more Margaret softens. We learn why she has become such a selfish, self-centered person through various skits and scenes that show just how good Sandra Bullock is at physical comedy. Imagine the contrast between a cold, high-powered executive from New York trying to fit in with a warm, welcoming family in Alaska.
I won’t give away the ending except to say that it’s satisfying. Although somewhat predictable, The Proposal will have you laughing almost from start to finish. You’ll also remember its characters, especially Betty White’s portrayal of Grandma Annie, for a long time.
