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 romantic comedy from 2009 that centers on Margaret Tate, an assertive book editor facing deportation from the US. To retain her visa, she blackmails her assistant, Andrew Paxton, into a fake engagement. This premise drives the narrative through comedic situations as they try to convince immigration authorities and Andrew's family in Alaska that their relationship is genuine.
The film navigates the familiar "fake relationship" trope, blending elements of romantic comedy, drama, and fish-out-of-water scenarios. It explores themes of professional ambition, family expectations, and the complexities of employer-employee dynamics evolving into a personal connection. The humor often arises from Margaret's attempts to adapt to Andrew's Alaskan hometown and the duo's efforts to maintain their charade under scrutiny, particularly from an immigration officer.
Why you might be searching for The Proposal
Many people are likely searching for "The Proposal" due to its memorable pairing of Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds in a quintessential romantic comedy setup. The core plot device of a fake marriage to avoid deportation, combined with the journey to Alaska to meet the assistant's family, creates distinct, often hilarious scenarios. The film also features Betty White in a notable supporting role, which often makes it a subject of specific searches.
What reviewers are saying
One reviewer, having rewatched the film, revised their initial lukewarm opinion, finding it to be a strong romantic comedy filled with laughter and heartfelt moments, specifically citing the dog and eagle scene as a highlight and praising the lead actors' comedic and romantic chemistry.
Read the full reviewA reviewer noted that even with a predictable storyline, the movie remained enjoyable, highlighting Ryan Reynolds's transition from his more common comedic roles to a slightly more serious, yet still witty, performance, and praising the believable chemistry between the two leads.
Read the full reviewDespite acknowledging a far-fetched premise, a review found the combination of Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds effective, describing the plot where a Canadian editor forces her assistant into a fake marriage to avoid deportation, leading to a trip to meet his family in Alaska.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about finding and identifying movies
You can stream "The Proposal" on services like Apple TV, fuboTV, and YouTube TV. It's also available for rent or purchase on platforms such as Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, and Fandango At Home. For physical copies, you can buy the DVD or Blu-ray from retailers like Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
No, "The Proposal" is not based on a true story. It is a romantic comedy film directed by Anne Fletcher and written by Peter Chiarelli.
In the end, Margaret stops her wedding to Andrew and tells everyone the truth about their fake engagement, leading to her deportation. Andrew pursues her, and after a series of events involving a faked heart attack by his grandmother to reconcile him with his father and catch Margaret before her flight, Andrew finally confesses his love for Margaret at her New York office. They then inform the immigration agent that they are now genuinely engaged, and the film concludes with the agent asking them and Andrew's family increasingly absurd questions.
Audience reception for "The Proposal" was generally positive, with audiences polled by CinemaScore giving it an "A-". Critics, however, were more mixed, with some praising the chemistry between stars Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds, while others felt the plot adhered too closely to romantic comedy formulas.