THE PROPOSAL review by Gary Dean Murray

Even though Julia Roberts has the title, I think that Sandra Bullock is truly America's Sweetheart. The lovely Mrs. Roberts may have the Oscar, but Sandra has the adorations. She's the girl next door, the chick who is just as comfortable in jeans as frills and lace. There is just a certain something in her demeanor that rings true on the Silver Screen. She goes with her strongest suit in the romantic comedy The Proposal.

This time out Sandra plays Margaret, a Canadian book editor who lives in NYC. She is a hard-nosed, perfection-demanding boss who scares everyone in her office. She has a very loyal assistant Andrew (Ryan Reynolds) who is as much her lapdog as her employee. The push of the plot comes with lightning speed.

Margaret has been going through the application process to be a U.S. citizen for years but she left the country without permission to attend a European Writers Conference. This little detail has derailed her bid to be a U.S. citizen and puts her on the quick path to deportation. At a meeting with her bosses, she announces that she is recently engaged, hoping to save her position with the company. Andrew walks into the room and she declares that he is her betrothed.

Margaret offers Andrew a deal he cannot refuse in order to pull off the scam of being married. He gets his dream job if she helps her out. They go down to the immigration offices to let the powers that be know about their engagement. The government senses a fake and demands proof. Soon it becomes apparent that Margaret must take a crash course in all that is Andrew in order to convince the agent.

Since Andrew is to attend the birthday of his beloved Grandmother (Betty White) in Alaska, Margaret must go to the family function. Mom and Dad (Mary Steenburgen and Craig T. Nelson) know Margaret by reputation only and do not like what they have been told. But, being the fish out of water gives Margaret a chance to find her true self. We also find out that the person Margaret thinks Andrew is not the true individual who stands in front of her. Of course, we also get to meet the girl he left behind.

The film is about Andrew and Margaret finding out different aspects of their relationship as they bond as a mismatched couple. Anyone who has ever seen a romantic comedy knows where the two will be headed. This is twisted with the idea of the city girl stuck in the country life, another genre cliché.

But, the thing is - it just works.

And it works because of Sandra Bullock. With a smile that could melt the Arctic snow caps, she pulls off the beginning Ice Queen with an unexpected grace. One knows that she will lighten up as the play unfolds, but we enjoy the ride she takes us on. With one scene, there is an strong act of bravery. Without getting too detailed, she is caught without a towel and naked. There is really no way this scene could have be done without her actually being nude during the filming. Not only is it a hilarious moment, but for a actress - a brave moment. She just shines from the get-go, delivering one of her best performances.

Ryan Reynolds is an actor who has been in some very uneven movie roles. But, with strong material, he shines in a what is usually the weaker role, that of the feeble boyfriend. His Andrew is a strong male lead and Reynolds gives the role some much-needed depth.

Both Mary Steenburgen and Craig T. Nelson are excellent casting choices, though they aren't given much to do in The Proposal. But Betty White just steals every scene she is in with her wisecracking granny. She is such a comedic dynamo that never flinches even with the saltiest of language. Taking what could have been a minor role, Betty White delivers knock out punches.

Director Anne Fletcher wisely goes with the strengths of the Pete Chiarelli screenplay. There are some very well written scenes in The Proposal and director Fletcher just lets them flow with their own pace, never letting the camera over power the words.

This little film is a definite 'must not miss' for 2009. It fulfills all the elements one would want with the genre while making it all seem fresh and new. Few films can do both with such a professional skill.

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