Critic Reviews
Proposal, The (2009) Rank 2 Reviews
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based on (146) reviews
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Empire Magazine Australasia (Hilton Thomas)
Sandra Shock: Bullock partners well with Ryan Reynolds, their romcom strengths sailing above any of the weaker options put forward by this decent Proposal. ...read the complete Proposal movie review at Empire Magazine Australasia (Hilton Thomas)
Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC) (Ken Hanke)
Probably won't do you a permanent injury should you come into contact with it. ...read the complete Proposal movie review at Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC) (Ken Hanke)
Heart 106.2 (Simon Thompson)
The Proposal might not be ground breaking stuff, but it’s a delightful and very enjoyable distraction that will lift your spirits. ...read the complete Proposal movie review at Heart 106.2 (Simon Thompson)
Los Angeles Times (Betsy Sharkey)
The Proposal is 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? ...read the complete Proposal movie review at Los Angeles Times (Betsy Sharkey)
ViewLondon (Matthew Turner)
Enjoyable romcom that succeeds thanks to the chemistry and comic timing of its two leads, but it's also formulaic, completely predictable and nowhere near as funny as it thinks it is. ...read the complete Proposal movie review at ViewLondon (Matthew Turner)
Sky Movies (Ben Rawson-Jones)
The Proposal is not a marriage made in heaven by any means, but the eventual charm of the leads and a gag-packed second half manage to salvage the movie from inauspicious beginnings. ...read the complete Proposal movie review at Sky Movies (Ben Rawson-Jones)
Sky Movies (Rob Daniel)
Ultimately, there is something refreshing about The Proposal's undemanding humour and unabashed feel-good factor. ...read the complete Proposal movie review at Sky Movies (Rob Daniel)
Sunday Mail [UK] ()
Sandra Bullock's performance alone deserves to give the star her first big comedy success since Miss Congeniality. ...read the complete Proposal movie review at Sunday Mail [UK] ()
Denver Post
"Satan's Mistress" wears Prada and a pair of Manolo stilts in "The Proposal," an all- too-familiar romantic comedy that nevertheless has a few just-as-familiar charms. ...read the complete Proposal movie review at Denver Post
efilmcritic.com
Director Anne Fletcher ("27 Dresses") doesn't try to push the material beyond simple romcom trappings, and that leaves the film being dumber than we'd like it. ...read the complete Proposal movie review at efilmcritic.com
Metromix.com
A better comedy than romance, "The Proposal" can't ever quite get over the forced premise of unlikely love blossoming under the gun. ...read the complete Proposal movie review at Metromix.com
JoBlo
Despite that last sentence, I am going to do something I've never done before. I hope you're all sitting down....ahem. I am actually going to say something nice about a chick flick. ...read the complete Proposal movie review at JoBlo
Tolucan Times (Tony Medley)
In the end, though, this derivative story has been made into too many movies not to be stale. ...read the complete Proposal movie review at Tolucan Times (Tony Medley)
ilinoistimes.com
The good news about Sandra Bullock's latest romantic comedy, The Proposal, is that it's no Forces of Nature, a misfire from a decade ago in which the actress tried in vain to create some sort of spark with her co-star Ben Affleck. ...read the complete Proposal movie review at ilinoistimes.com
Empire Weekly
Perversely, it's because Ryan Reynolds can do everything that he's still only on the cusp of being a big star. His career has skipped around from action to slapstick to dramedy, picking up genre fans who never pool together to form a fan club. ...read the complete Proposal movie review at Empire Weekly
Ozus World
So what if this old-fashioned romantic-comedy is derivative, predictable, formulaic, hardly believable for a NYC sec and clichéd! It's a pleasant time killer offering mindless entertainment and appealing stars. ...read the complete Proposal movie review at Ozus World
Hollywood & Fine
Like I said, not terrible. I can't believe, however, that they never reached for a Sarah Palin joke. ...read the complete Proposal movie review at Hollywood & Fine
MovieMartyr.com
The Proposal, of course, is not a perfect film. It does not warrant comparisons to the true greats of screwball comedy. It mines for lowbrow laughs with broad turns by Betty White and Oscar Nunez. ...read the complete Proposal movie review at MovieMartyr.com
BET.com (Clay Cane)
There is a beacon of light -- Betty White. Ms. Betty could be cast in a revival of 'New Jack City' and you'd believe her in every frame. ...read the complete Proposal movie review at BET.com (Clay Cane)
TheMovieBoy.com (Dustin Putman)
culturevulture.net
Sandra Bullock is the paragon of a romantic comedy heroine. She's lovely to look at, as well as a true comedienne, both physically and emotionally capable, as adept at pratfalls as she is at shedding real tears. ...read the complete Proposal movie review at culturevulture.net
WaffleMovies.com
Sadly, what ruins The Proposal is Fletcher's decision to make the movie so serious as it moves towards the end. ...read the complete Proposal movie review at WaffleMovies.com
ReelViews
My opinion of The Proposal is similar to how I felt about the not-dissimilar New in Town. The humor level in this film is a little better and the actors have a marginally higher charisma quotient, but the productions are peas in a pod. ...read the complete Proposal movie review at ReelViews
Shadows on the Wall (Rich Cline)
As brightly enjoyable as this film is, there's no escaping the fact that it's yet another formulaic rom-com. ...read the complete Proposal movie review at Shadows on the Wall (Rich Cline)
The Star Ledger
What I was thinking, actually, after the movie ended, was how nice it was simply to see Bullock -- an ever-amiable and accessible actress -- in a comedy again. ...read the complete Proposal movie review at The Star Ledger
Salon.com
"The Proposal" is a romantic comedy set in mythic days of yore, a fantasy era in which a grown-up could actually make a living -- and even become financially successful -- by working as an editor at a publishing house. ...read the complete Proposal movie review at Salon.com
LarsenOnFilm (Josh Larsen)
Antagony & Ecstasy (Tim Brayton)
Aisle Seat (Mike McGranaghan)
Kansas City Star
The unbreakable rule of romantic comedy is that opposites will eventually attract. A good rom-com is creative enough that you're still surprised by the inevitable. ...read the complete Proposal movie review at Kansas City Star
Daily Herald (IL) (Jeff Bayer)
Margaret's main goal is to get a visa so she can stay in this country and not get deported to Canada. It's a movie device that feels way too overused, but that's not the unbelievable part. ...read the complete Proposal movie review at Daily Herald (IL) (Jeff Bayer)
Chicago Tribune
The problem is not the acting. The problem is what these actors are required to say and do. It's getting so that midway through one of these passable-but-so-forgettable-I've-already-forgotten-the-title rom-coms, I would honestly pay for actual jokes. ...read the complete Proposal movie review at Chicago Tribune
Reel Film Reviews
The Proposal's aggressively bloated sensibilities ensure that the movie's positive attributes - including an admittedly affecting conclusion - are finally rendered moot (ie the film is essentially a decent 80-minute romcom trapped within the confines of a ...read the complete Proposal movie review at Reel Film Reviews
Channel 4 Film (Anton Bitel)
Cinematical
Despite the tired and sometimes mean-spirited jokes, Bullock is still delightful to watch. She knows how to portray this type of character and her transformation, and hits every note perfectly. ...read the complete Proposal movie review at Cinematical
Washington Post
That's where Andrew drags Margaret to meet his family to convince a persistent immigration official that they're a real couple. ...read the complete Proposal movie review at Washington Post
Sydney Morning Herald
And in the end, nothing can compensate for the fact that Bullock has been so diligent in ridding herself of any trace of niceness that she looks as if she's regretting the whole thing. Boredom doesn't suit her and a romcom without charm just doesn't rate. ...read the complete Proposal movie review at Sydney Morning Herald
New York Observer
Also, one must take a moment to marvel at how awesome both Mary Steenburgen and Betty White (playing Andrew's mother and grandmother, respectively) are appearing these days. ...read the complete Proposal movie review at New York Observer
ScreenDaily
The Proposal's Margaret Tate feels inspired by Meryl Streep's tyrannical-boss character from The Devil Wears Prada, except that in this romantic comedy the harried assistant must marry the cold-blooded executive rather than simply cater to her every whim. ...read the complete Proposal movie review at ScreenDaily
Newsday (Rafer Guzman)
Somehow, someone decided this rom-com needed less rom and more com -- a fatal mistake. ...read the complete Proposal movie review at Newsday (Rafer Guzman)
Groucho Reviews (Peter Canavese)
Though there's definitely an audience for the story's increasingly sunny sweetness, the film sparks to life pretty much only when the estimable duo of Bullock and Reynolds bickers. ...read the complete Proposal movie review at Groucho Reviews (Peter Canavese)
WaffleMovies.com
The Proposal isn't classic Sandra Bullock (or classic Ryan Reynolds for what that might be worth), but it can keep you entertained enough. ...read the complete Proposal movie review at WaffleMovies.com
One Guy's Opinion (Frank Swietek)
Philadelphia Daily News (Gary Thompson)
The leads are appealing, the material familiar -- it adds a Front Page romantic angle to The Devil Wears Prada, and reworks ideas from Green Card. ...read the complete Proposal movie review at Philadelphia Daily News (Gary Thompson)
AskMen.com (Rick Mele)
AV Club (Keith Phipps)
Following 27 Dresses, this is the second high-concept, low-impact, wedding-themed comedy in 18 months for choreographer-turned-director Anne Fletcher. It might be time to move on. ...read the complete Proposal movie review at AV Club (Keith Phipps)
Village Voice
You know every tinny beat and false note by heart, from the implausible setup to the sprint-to-the-airport finish. ...read the complete Proposal movie review at Village Voice
Sacramento News & Review
he Proposal is formula filmmaking at its coldest, rattled off mechanically by people who show little faith in their own formula, and even less respect for their audience. ...read the complete Proposal movie review at Sacramento News & Review
Oregonian (--)
My problems with "The Proposal" began almost immediately: We meet workaholic New York editrix Margaret Tate (Sandra Bullock) as she works out, eats right, negotiates a tough deal before breakfast with a difficult writer and discreetly fires a lazy, preten ...read the complete Proposal movie review at Oregonian (--)
![Proposal, The (2009) scores a combined 1.60 out of 4 stars for Times [UK] (Toby Young)](../images/1_5.gif)
Times [UK] (Toby Young)
Time Out (David Jenkins)
filmcritic.com (Chris Barsanti)
Were it not for the jangly screwball energy ... The Proposal would be just another desperate attempt to jam as many winning formula elements into one graceless package as possible. ...read the complete Proposal movie review at filmcritic.com (Chris Barsanti)
Daily Mirror [UK] (David Edwards)
Empire Magazine (Ian Freer)
Despite good moments and likable leads, this lacks both heart and humour in a confection that smacks of the over-familiar. ...read the complete Proposal movie review at Empire Magazine (Ian Freer)
Time Out New York (Ben Kenigsberg)
No matter how much you covet success in New York publishing, walk away. Resist the temptation to marry your boss on a bribe, especially if she’s Canada’s answer to Anna Wintour. ...read the complete Proposal movie review at Time Out New York (Ben Kenigsberg)
Scotsman (Alistair Harkness)
It's not The Proposal's predictability that's the main problem, it's the lazy way it doesn't even try to cover up this predictability with witty jokes. ...read the complete Proposal movie review at Scotsman (Alistair Harkness)
This is London (Derek Malcolm)
This turns out to be another bad choice for Bullock who, without playing badly, sinks in the general morass. ...read the complete Proposal movie review at This is London (Derek Malcolm)
New York Times (Manohla Dargis)
Financial Times (Nigel Andrews)
So keen to be cute it curdles our stomachs and so anxious to be funny it jellifies our funny bones. ...read the complete Proposal movie review at Financial Times (Nigel Andrews)
The Australian (Evan Williams)
The Proposal could have been a terrific screwball comedy, but the end results are well below average. ...read the complete Proposal movie review at The Australian (Evan Williams)
ABC.net
Having blackmailed Andrew into agreeing to marrying her, the next step is going home for the 90th celebration to meet the family, just to convince a very suspicious Immigration Department that this marriage is bona fide. ...read the complete Proposal movie review at ABC.net
AZCentral.com
From what? From himself, that's what. Or his agent. ...read the complete Proposal movie review at AZCentral.com
Brian Orndorf
Sandra Bullock has been making movies like "The Proposal" for quite some time now. ...read the complete Proposal movie review at Brian Orndorf
Time Out New York
The lovebirds fly off to Palin land, where it becomes apparent that The Proposal suffers from an imbalance of sympathies. ...read the complete Proposal movie review at Time Out New York
The Hollywood Reporter
Sandra Bullock is one of the most likable and skilled comedians in movies today, but she hasn't had a comedy hit since the first "Miss Congeniality" nine years ago. ...read the complete Proposal movie review at The Hollywood Reporter
FilmInk
The lure of Reynolds' and Bullock's nude scene together is sure to fill cinema seats (and raise a smile), but the other 106 minutes of The Proposal prove utterly forgettable. ...read the complete Proposal movie review at FilmInk
Urban Cinefile
The picturesque coastal town of Sitka is gorgeous with its snow-capped mountains, crystal clear waters, quaint streets and ultra friendly people. ...read the complete Proposal movie review at Urban Cinefile
Redbox
But then Betty White will come on-screen as Reynolds' grandmother, pushing and pressing for a speedy wedding that throws Bullock and Reynolds' scheme on the fast track, where excess speed may make it rattle apart, or one of the other four good things outl ...read the complete Proposal movie review at Redbox
New York Daily News
If every relationship is built on shared interests, it's easy to see why Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds would pair off. ...read the complete Proposal movie review at New York Daily News
Reeling Reviews
There is as much pleasure to be had in the marketing art used for the poster of "The Proposal" as in the entire movie. Take two likeable, good-looking actors and hope that they float. ...read the complete Proposal movie review at Reeling Reviews
ericdsnider.com
But there's something about Bullock and Reynolds. They have chemistry -- not romantic (goodness no!), but comic. ...read the complete Proposal movie review at ericdsnider.com
The Age
FROM its very first scene, the latest romantic comedy from Anne Fletcher (27 Dresses) seems headed for disaster. ...read the complete Proposal movie review at The Age
Spectrum (St. George, Utah) (Bruce Bennett)
Bullock deserves better material and so do her fans. The moral: Don't accept a role unless you have read the entire script. Perhaps that's a more worthwhile proposal. ...read the complete Proposal movie review at Spectrum (St. George, Utah) (Bruce Bennett)
Boston Globe
Directed by Anne Fletcher with the same pokiness she applied to "27 Dresses," the movie builds to a heavily advertised sequence in which Margaret and Andrew run into each other naked then peel themselves away in disgust. ...read the complete Proposal movie review at Boston Globe
Boston Globe (Wesley Morris)
Slant Magazine
Humor and romance are interspersed so predictably it's as if screenwriter Pete Chairelli were working from a rom-com checklist, whose lame bullet points (animal gags, creepy-weird foreigners, Native American stereotypes) are in service of a story primaril ...read the complete Proposal movie review at Slant Magazine
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User Reviews
by kellij66 on July 14, 2009 Marrero, Louisiana
Welcome back Sandra Bullock. You have been sorely missed. This is one of the funniest movies I've ever seen and the chemistry between her and Ryan Reynolds was great. I'd recommend this movie to ...
by Tetramobile on July 17, 2009 New York, New York
He's such a hilarious person and Sandra knows how to rock the comedy. Together they create a pair that's not only funny, but also entertaining to watch. They know how to movie the story along while not boring you with all the little things ...
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