With lines like “ab-crunching jackass” and “go suck a hot cock,” you know you have a winner on your hands. However, when that’s just a spot made to promote the film and not actual footage from the film, it could be cause for concern. But no need for cold feet, because while much less rude, The Proposal lives up to the expectation set by the pre-release hype. Judging by the invitation, The Proposal is your run-of-the-mill romantic comedy: a mismatched couple pretend to be in love until things blow up in their faces and it makes them realize their sham isn’t a sham after all. In this version, Andrew (Ryan Reynolds) is the assistant to ice princess Margaret (Sandra Bullock), who is about to be deported back to her chilly home in Canada. She bullies him into an engagement more awkward than when Jack and Rosario tied the knot on Will & Grace. However, when the two end up at his family’s home in Alaska to celebrate the birthday of Grandma (Betty White), their hearts melt faster than a polar icecap.When it’s clear what’s going to happen in a film before the opening credits even begin, all you can hope for are some good performances and funny one-liners. The Proposal is a great marriage of the two. Director Anne Fletcher (27 Dresses) guides the cast through Peter Chiarelli’s sometimes hysterical script with just enough speed to keep from wallowing in the absurd plot. Bullock and Reynolds don’t really hit their groove until Margaret is out of her element and Andrew grows a backbone, but White is golden every second she’s on screen. She alone would be reason enough to see the film, but fortunately she’s not the only one in the wedding party. THREE AND ONE-HALF STARS. Rated PG-13. 107 minutes. Area theaters. (Tim Plant)
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The Proposal
With lines like “ab-crunching jackass” and “go suck a hot cock,” you know you have a winner on your hands. However, when that’s just a spot made to promote the film and not actual footage from the film, it could be cause for concern. But no need for cold feet, because while much less rude, The Proposal lives up to the expectation set by the pre-release hype. Judging by the invitation, The Proposal is your run-of-the-mill romantic comedy: a mismatched couple pretend to be in love until things blow up in their faces and it makes them realize their sham isn’t a sham after all. In this version, Andrew (Ryan Reynolds) is the assistant to ice princess Margaret (Sandra Bullock), who is about to be deported back to her chilly home in Canada. She bullies him into an engagement more awkward than when Jack and Rosario tied the knot on Will & Grace. However, when the two end up at his family’s home in Alaska to celebrate the birthday of Grandma (Betty White), their hearts melt faster than a polar icecap.When it’s clear what’s going to happen in a film before the opening credits even begin, all you can hope for are some good performances and funny one-liners. The Proposal is a great marriage of the two. Director Anne Fletcher (27 Dresses) guides the cast through Peter Chiarelli’s sometimes hysterical script with just enough speed to keep from wallowing in the absurd plot. Bullock and Reynolds don’t really hit their groove until Margaret is out of her element and Andrew grows a backbone, but White is golden every second she’s on screen. She alone would be reason enough to see the film, but fortunately she’s not the only one in the wedding party. THREE AND ONE-HALF STARS. Rated PG-13. 107 minutes. Area theaters. (Tim Plant)
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