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Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed movies.

Proposal, The

EMAILPRINTTouchstone Pictures (Disney)

Proposal, The reviews
48
7.6 User Score:

Mixed or average reviews

Based on 30 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

Based on 62 votes
Read user comments
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Movie Info

Genre(s): Comedy

Written by: Peter Chiarelli

Directed by: Anne Fletcher

Release Date:
Theatrical: June 19, 2009
DVD: October 13, 2009

Running Time: minutes, Color

Origin: USA

Summary

RATING: PG-13 for sexual content, nudity and language

Starring Sandra Bullock, Ryan Reynolds, Malin Akerman, Craig T. Nelsonn, Mary Steenburgen, Denis O'Hare, and Betty White

When high-powered book editor Margaret faces deportation to her native Canada, the quick-thinking exec declares that she's actually engaged to her unsuspecting put-upon assistant Andrew, who she's tormented for years. He agrees to participate in the charade, but with a few conditions of his own. The unlikely couple heads to Alaska to meet his quirky family and the always-in-control city girl finds herself in one comedic fish-out-of-water situation after another. With an impromptu wedding in the works and an immigration official on their tails, Margaret and Andrew reluctantly vow to stick to the plan despite the precarious consequences. (Touchstone Pictures, Disney)

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

83

Entertainment Weekly Lisa Schwarzbaum

The chemical energy between Bullock and Reynolds is fresh and irresistible.

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80

The Hollywood Reporter Kevin Lally

The situations might be formulaic, but the teamwork of the two leads brings them to sparkling life.

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75

Chicago Sun-Times Roger Ebert

Recycles a plot that was already old when Tracy and Hepburn were trying it out. You see it coming from a great distance away. As it draws closer, you don't duck out of the way, because it is so cheerfully done, you don't mind being hit by it.

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75

Philadelphia Inquirer Carrie Rickey

Hilarious fun.

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75

The Globe and Mail (Toronto) Liam Lacey

May be well-trod territory, but worth a walk down the movie aisle.

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70

Los Angeles Times Betsy Sharkey

Just a good old-fashioned romance, one in which people actually bring out the best in one another rather than the worst. How novel is that?

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70

Washington Post Ann Hornaday

It's as predictable and comforting as a Happy Meal, but it must be said that The Proposal manages to elicit some genuinely amusing moments.

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70

Variety Brian Lowry

The Proposal won't catch any bouquets for originality, but in terms of a bended-knee pitch for the affections of women -- including Ryan Reynolds’ boyish charms, a hip granny and even a beyond-adorable puppy -- this romantic comedy pretty much pulls out all the stops.

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70

Chicago Reader Andrea Gronvall

Director Anne Fletcher delivers more bite and brisker pacing than she did with "27 Dresses."

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63

New York Post Lou Lumenick

Shamelessly derivative, contrived and predictable, The Proposal is nonetheless a crowd-pleasing romantic comedy.

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63

USA Today Claudia Puig

A serviceable and intermittently funny romance.

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63

New Orleans Times-Picayune Mike Scott

If it weren't for the casting of Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds in the lead roles, the film probably would have gone straight to DVD.

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50

Premiere Robert Calvert

Betty White is what makes this film memorable as Andrew’s grandmother. She steals every scene, and adds the sweetness that a film like this needs.

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50

The New York Times Manohla Dargis

Ms. Bullock, who excels at playing spunky, is as appealing as usual, but the role proves as awkward as those heels.

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50

TV Guide Perry Seibert

Bullock playing against type is the only original thing going on in the whole film.

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50

ReelViews James Berardinelli

The Proposal follows a paint-by-numbers script, it fails one key acid test: it doesn't sell the romance.

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50

Village Voice Robert Wilonsky

You know every tinny beat and false note by heart, from the implausible setup to the sprint-to-the-airport finish.

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50

Austin Chronicle Kimberley Jones

Fletcher demonstrates, as with her second film, "27 Dresses," that she can put together a funny, able romantic comedy that is a cut above, but no more. Still, those leads are awfully likable, the Massachusetts-for-Alaska landscape rather picturesque, and if The Proposal doesn't reinvent the wheel, merrily we roll along nonetheless.

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50

The Onion (A.V. Club) Keith Phipps

It's the material that stinks, failing to give even an old pro like White more than a couple of modest laughs.

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50

Chicago Tribune Michael Phillips

The Proposal reworks "Two Weeks Notice" with the genders switched.

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50

San Francisco Chronicle Amy Biancolli

The premise of The Proposal is one big cliche.

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42

Portland Oregonian M. E. Russell

The film is flat and false in the exact same way that director Anne Fletcher's last rom-com, "27 Dresses," was flat and false.

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40

Empire Ian Freer

Despite good moments and likable leads, this lacks both heart and humour in a confection that smacks of the over-familiar.

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40

Salon.com Stephanie Zacharek

A romantic comedy doesn't need to be original to be enjoyable, and yet The Proposal still falls way too short of the mark.

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40

New York Daily News Elizabeth Weitzman

It's impossible to guess why Bullock was ever attracted to this insulting role, and the eternally confident Reynolds is miscast as a young, bullied underling.

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38

Boston Globe Wesley Morris

Neither (Bullock/Reynolds) brings out anything good in the other, and watching them try hurts the eyes, the tummy, and the libido.

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30

Wall Street Journal Joe Morgenstern

Why is she (Bullock) demeaning herself with such shoddy goods? She’s a talented woman with a faithful following. She has made formula films of varying quality before, and her fans may well swallow this one, but it’s a formula for disappointment laced with dismay.

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25

Rolling Stone Peter Travers

A romantic comedy so numbing it feels like Novocaine.

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25

Baltimore Sun Michael Sragow

The film saddles Craig T. Nelson with the generally thankless role of Paxton's cold, distant dad. But when he feels like the only person who doesn't understand what's going on with Tate and his son, you feel like saying, "No, me too."

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16

Christian Science Monitor Peter Rainer

Monumentally unromantic.

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What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this movie is 7.6 (out of 10) based on 62 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

mauricio l. gave it a6:
Well , it took me a while to see it, my mom recomened it , and well it was kind of slow, it was entertaining but i really expected a little more.

Capo Regime gave it a7:
Funny and smart, both are perfect for each other.

Jay H. gave it an8:
I don’t care what most of the critics say, nor do I care that the film is hopelessly peredictable because it is a delightful film with the stars in fine form. The chemistry between Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds is so clearly evident. It's funny, touching and highly entertaining. It always held my interest. One of the best romantic comedies in years.

Rick A gave it a7:
I liked this movie even though at times it seemed a bit slow developing the story. There was enough humor to keep it light and fun, my kind of movie. It was worth the money spent.

tristan c gave it a10:
Funny.

TDKinDallas gave it a5:
Had some really funny moments, but that's it. Incredibly stupid plot, stupendously unbelievable, cookie cutter rom com.

Zach F. gave it an8:
The movie was surprisingly good for looking like a "chick flik". The comedy was as great, but the plot seemed like you could see everything coming.

Read more user comments >

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