Revenge Of The Child Snacker (The Proposal (DVD))

Member Name: spencer_hawken

Product:	The Proposal (DVD)
Date:	29/10/09 (51 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Beautiful romcom, with loads of laughs

Disadvantages: Very predictable

t was only a short time ago that Sandra Bullock was "the" actress to have in your movie, but since the acclaimed movie Crash she has been hard to spot. Returning to the screen in her first blockbuster since Crash, Bullock (and possibly a new nose) reclaims her title as the queen of the romcom kicking Jennifer Aniston to the floor. Nobody puts Sandra in the corner!


Margaret Tate (Bullock) is the typical embodiment of Cruella De Ville, the Editor of a publishing house she is viewed by the staff as the wicked witch from the north (the north here being Canada). Margaret makes grown men crumble, her fiery tongue a match for anyone. Andrew Paxton (Ryan Reynolds) is the exact opposite, never could you meet a more charming man. But Andrews' big issue is his boss Margaret who he lives in fear of, but tolerates because she is the key to getting his manuscript published. When Margaret's temporary citizenship in America comes to an abrupt end she must discover a way to keep the job she loves, Andrew is that key. If she marries Andrew then she can remain in the country, and a little bribery she figures is all it will take to keep Andrew sweet, but after three years of bullying the worm has turned and it seems that she no longer has the upper hand.
The Proposal is probably the best romantic comedy I have seen for a long time, yes it sickens with is sentimentality, yes its predictable in a way that almost every movie of its type is, but its also a return to the 80's style of comedy. Its not gross out, it's a bit rude in places but to the level that you don't mind younger eyes seeing; this movie has a real beating heart, its as much a lesson as it is a movie. And that lesson is to look with bigger eyes.

The big achievement of the movie despite its relatively short time, is that Bullock can do bad, I originally thought playing what is essentially the movie villain would be a tough task for Bullock; but the moment she makes her Office debut you realise that this good girl can do bad very, very well. I'd love to see her embrace the sort of projects Selma Blair does because I think there is a lot of scope for Bullock.
The heart of the movie above the casting and the story is the element of slapstick that's involved in the movie. From the dog-stealing eagle, the uncomfortable looking naked scene, to Ramone the waiter cum priest cum post office worker cum exotic dancer, who we encounter when Andrew and Margaret travel back to Alaska to meet his family.

The Proposal takes the same stand as Peter Weir's Green Card with the bogus couple having to convince American authorities that they are a legitimate item. Of course this element means that all the movies characters take a journey of discovery.
With a great supporting cast that include Mary Steenburgen, Craig T. Nelson and Golden Girl Betty White, you realise that The Proposal will be a great movie from the moment the credits finish rolling. Great lines about Margaret snacking on children, and self obsession springboard the movie along the way. Yes the movie is very transparent, and you can possibly plot the whole movie out in your head just from my review, but it's the delivery that makes this undoubtedly one of the best, snappiest, and most amusing movies of the year; but don't take my word for it, see if you can find a bad review on this movie.


Special Features:-
Exclusive to blu-ray - Additional deleted scene
Alternate ending - With optional commentary by director Anne Fletcher and writer Peter Chiarelli
Deleted scenes - With optional commentary by director Anne Fletcher and writer Peter Chiarelli
Set Antics - Outtakes and other absurdities From The Proposal
Feature Audio Commentary - with Director Anne Fletcher and writer Peter Chiarelli


Although the above special features are available on the DVD, my preview disc did not have them. The difference in picture quality between the DVD and the Blu-ray is massive. Sometimes the change is very subtle, but the high definition look of the movie you can really feel, its an amazing way to soak up both the city and rural scenery, the colours are vivid and alight; and the detail as dramatic as any David Attenbourough wildlife documentary.
The Proposal is out on DVD and Blu-ray at the end of November, and I can think of few better movies to add to your Christmas viewing.

Summary: A canadian bribes her assistant for citizenship