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'The Proposal'
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Romantic comedies have become and exhausted but adored genre of film. Unlike other genres, romantic comedies almost always have to follow a specific formula, while making the viewer feel satisfied in the end. The trick to making a good romantic comedy, if not an innovative one is variation. How a story is crafted, the unexpected turns, and the moments of comic relief can easily fall into the obvious, but a successful romantic comedy offers the viewer the unexpected. The Proposal is a film that does allow the viewer more moments of laughter then expected, and the story ends up being a nice variation on an exhausted theme.
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The film follows Andrew Paxton (Ryan Reynolds), an assistant editor to Margaret Tate (Sandra Bullock), a stone cold workaholic. Tate discovers that she is being deported to her native Canada, and in a moment of thoughtlessness informs her bosses that she is marrying Paxton in order to stay in country and keep her job. Tate must convince the immigration services that she and Paxton are truly in love, and the couple is headed to Alaska, to Paxton's grandmother Annie's (Betty White) ninetieth birthday to falsely proclaim their love for each other to Paxton's parents (Mary Steenburgen, Craig T. Nelson).
Bullock reportedly vowed to be done with romantic comedies, but she read The Proposal and became very angry because she like it. The film is lucky to have her, Bullock, who received her fame later in her career following the success of Speed is a very talented actress. Bullock plays Tate as straight as an icicle, but she also adds a vulnerability that makes Tate a real person. It is clearly a character that was written with little dimension, but Bullock is able to mold the character to one with intensity. Reynolds does his part as well. The actor, who made his name in a variety of comedies (Van Wilder, Just Friends), has more to offer, Reynolds can act, he portrays Paxton with range, comedically as well as emotionally. White is a welcomed sight too. Her character is the most eccentric, and White displays her talent while throwing caution out the window. Grandma Annie is all over the place, probably wrought with dementia, but White is completely engaging, and she shows why she has been beloved from The Mary Tyler Moore Show to Golden Girls to her recent projects.
It is hard to pin point what exactly sets the film apart from others like it that are less successful. Seasoned actors is one part, but after that it is how the story both follows and strays from the formula. Paxton and Tate do end up falling for each other, but it is the moments where they seem to be repulsed by one another that makes for the best comedy. Paxton turns the tables and coldly accompanies Tate who is both scared as well as committed to the task at hand. The other trick for the two is convincing everyone they are in love, the scenes are awkward and enjoyable.
Still, the film does have its problems, so many films made in this light use animals for comic relief, in this case a cute little dog. The utilization of animals is tiring at best, and in the film unneeded. The other fact is the obvious still exists. Paxton falls for Tate, even though they have worked side by side for two years, and Paxton has hated her for every minute. The story is a little ridiculous if considered, beyond the trying to deceive the department of immigration services storyline. Still, the love story is required, even though an ex-girlfriend of Paxton's, Gertrude (Malin Akerman) is very much present. While Gertrude could easily have been a competitor for Paxton's love, the character ends up being unimportant and forgettable. So, while the film has its diversions, it still follows the obvious, and the obvious storyline becomes the one downfall to the conventional, yet funny film.
The Proposal is better then most romantic comedies of recent years. Talented actors and interesting variations make for a convincing and enjoyable film. Nothing profound is said, and no overwhelming message looms in the air, the film simply wants the viewer to sit back and enjoy. With such dramatic current events, and the media exposing every harsh reality in the world, a little relaxation and enjoyment is always a welcome sight.
To learn more about this film log on to: www.imdb.com/title/tt1041829/
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