The Proposal

The Proposal (2009)

6/2/2009
108 minutes
7

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.

Revenue: $317,400,000

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.

Rotten Tomatoes 45%
Metacritic 48/100
IMDb 6.8/10

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

The Movie Mob 7/10

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.

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r96sk 8/10

A 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.

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CinemaSerf 7/10

A review acknowledges the far-fetched premise but credits the charismatic pairing of Bullock and Reynolds for making the daft, predictable rom-com work well.

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