
The Proposal (2009)
When she learns she's in danger of losing her visa status and being deported, overbearing book editor Margaret Tate forces her put-upon assistant, Andrew Paxton, to marry her.
Details
Budget
$40,000,000
Rating
7/10 (6995 votes)
Status
Released
Production Companies
Touchstone Pictures, Mandeville Films, Kurtzman/Orci
About The Proposal
"The Proposal" is a 2009 romantic comedy that centers on Margaret Tate, a demanding book editor facing deportation to Canada. To maintain her visa status, she coerces her assistant, Andrew Paxton, into a fake engagement. This arrangement leads them from New York City to Andrew's Alaskan hometown, where they must convince his family and an immigration officer of their genuine relationship.
The film explores themes common in romantic comedies, particularly the "enemies to lovers" trope and the "pretend relationship" that blossoms into real affection. The dynamic between the tyrannical boss and her put-upon assistant sets up both comedic situations and the eventual development of their bond. The shift in setting to Alaska introduces a "fish out of water" element for Margaret, contrasting her urban life with Andrew's family roots.
While the premise involves blackmail and immigration law, the narrative maintains a lighthearted tone, balancing drama with humor. It leans into situational comedy and the chemistry between its lead actors, which is crucial for this type of story. The film's overall reception indicates it resonated with audiences looking for a familiar yet engaging romantic comedy experience.
Why you might be searching for The Proposal
People are often searching for "The Proposal" because of its central "fake fiancé" plot involving a boss and her assistant, the comedic situations arising from their trip to Alaska, or for specific memorable scenes like those involving a dog or an eagle. The film's stars, Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds, are also a key draw, particularly for their chemistry in a romantic comedy context.
What reviewers are saying
One reviewer initially overlooked the film but found it to be a top-tier romantic comedy upon rewatching, praising the performances of Bullock and Reynolds and the supporting cast.
Read the full reviewA viewer noted that despite the predictable plot, the film was enjoyable, highlighting Ryan Reynolds' balanced performance between serious and comedic, and the strong chemistry between the leads.
Read the full reviewA review acknowledges the far-fetched premise but credits the charismatic pairing of Bullock and Reynolds for making the daft, predictable rom-com work well.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about finding and identifying movies
You can stream "The Proposal" on Netflix and FuboTV. It's also available to rent or buy on platforms like Apple TV, Amazon Video, and Fandango, and can be purchased on DVD or Blu-ray [justwatch.com](https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/the-proposal).
"The Proposal" is a fictional romantic comedy film directed by Anne Fletcher and written by Peter Chiarelli [en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Proposal_(2009_film)). It is not based on a true story.
At the wedding, Margaret confesses that the engagement is a sham, leading to her deportation notice. Andrew then realizes he truly loves her, follows her back to New York, and declares his feelings, after which they inform the immigration agent Gilbertson that they are now genuinely engaged [en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Proposal_(2009_film)).
Reviews for "The Proposal" are mixed; while many praise the chemistry between stars Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds and its entertaining, feel-good nature, some critics found the plot predictable and too reliant on genre conventions [rottentomatoes.com](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/10010458-proposal). It received a 45% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with audiences giving it an "A-" on CinemaScore [en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Proposal_(2009_film)).