"You know that one sober simp who only knows one joke and tells it, always badly, repeatedly and the only reason you invite him along to the bar is so you can make fun of him? That’s why i see romantic comedies. So i can sit here in the Bar None and tear them a new one. Sure, it’s easy but us drunks find fun wherever we can, right?

Like that stupid joke your stupid designated driver tells over and over again, i knew exactly where the story was going and just what the punch line was. i got it, but it didn’t make me smile.

As for The Proposal, the only original thing about it was–just kidding, there was nothing even remotely related to ‘new’ here. Not even as distantly related as Ben Affleck is to Obama. Nope, not even that distant."

"Sandra Bullock plays a demanding editor who is a Canadian immigrant. When she is about to be deported back to the north, she decides to marry her assistant to prevent this from happening. The assistant, played by Ryan Reynolds, slowly agrees to this but adds another element to deal. He says she will have to come to his family home for their pre-marriage. While the two fly to Alaska to tell his family about the news, everybody has to get used to the soon to be member of the family.

Ryan Reynolds starred in one of my favorite romantic comedies of all time. It's called "Definitely Maybe." This film isn't nearly as good but Ryan Reynolds performance is well done. He plays his character cool, he's funny, and he's just a good actor. Reynolds shines here; in fact he is about the only actor that shines in the movie.

All of the other actors in the film seem to be just there for the sake of being there. They're only in the production so the audience can say, "Hey! I recognize that person!" or "That's the lady from Golden Girls." None of the supporting characters are believable and Sandra Bullock seems too uncomfortable in her role. She switches her personality unrealistically. The things that Betty White says are only meant to be funny because she's an older woman and that's not right.

"The Proposal" is just as formulaic as many other chick flicks we've seen recently. There are many other romantic comedies out there with the familiar plotline when a character (particularly an uptight female) is put in an unfamiliar environment. "New in Town" is another example of this terribly clichéd storyline. Even the girls can skip this movie."

" Romantic comedies are predictable most of the time, so it's how we get there that matters "The Proposal" seemed to be getting there with some flames & creativity. Headed by a couple of actors that are not new to the comedic genre. Sandra Bullock & Ryan Reynolds are both well fit for clever bantor, they play off each other quite well right of the top. Although I'm not a huge fan of Sandra Bullock her chemistry with Ryan Reynolds is right on. Margaret(Bullock) is a high powered book editor who is facing deplortation to her hometown of Canada unless she comes up with a plan. A quick thinking exec declares she get engaged to her unsuspecting assistant Andrew (Reynolds) who she has tormented for years. He agrees to help but not without a few conditions of his own. The put on couple heads to Alaska to meet his eccentric family & the big wig city girl finds herself in a fish out of water scenario. Funny moments ensue but the director Anne Fletcher crushes any good will it forms when it takes a predictable turn towards gushy.

Neal Damiano Film Critic"

"The cast alone is reason enough to like this movie.

I was disappointed at the introduction of this movie and a little disappointed at the quality of filmmaking, as well. But any disappointments I had, were erased by the terrific cast.

I'm not some little kid - I really appreciate a quality romantic comedy. One that delivers the laughs, the romance, but also spectacle in filmmaking. I've seen very few that fit those expectations, possibly "10 Things I Hate About You" and "Hitch".

But this one could have come awfully close. The problem is the director, Anne Fletcher, who also directed 2008's "27 Dresses". Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed that movie, but it was in no way great moviemaking.

This one had all the right elements: Great actors, witty dialogue, hilarious scenes, and an interesting idea. But the director makes it so one-directional... predictable... and sometimes corny, it's sometimes hard to forgive the film. Nevertheless, despite you knowing the direction it's going the entire time, actors Ryan Reynolds and Sandra Bullock make it believable.

If there is two underrated actors in the business today, it is Ryan Reynolds and Sandra Bullock. Both play editors in a business in New York, who initially fake a marriage to save the lovely Sandra Bullock's character from being deported, since her visa has expired, and therefore take a trip up to the super-sexy Ryan Reynold's character's house to introduce Bullock to his family, and pretend to be in love. The two must pretend they are in "love", so that Bullock's character is not deported back up to Canada. Later, as if you didn't know, the two actually DO fall in love. Bullock and Reynolds have a fantastic chemistry (or should I say ANTI-chemistry, since their characters have a love-hate kind of relationship). Both are great leads, in particular Ryan Reynolds who has a snappy comedic timing. I hope to see both in more movies in the future, preferably better material...

Next, this movie is absolutely hysterical. I died from laughing numerous times. The set-ups and obstacles they keep running into are riots... one actress in particular who steals almost every scene she is in, is Betty White, who plays the hilarious grandma of Ryan Reynold's character. The two are pretending to be in "love", but the grandma encourages them to kiss in front of the family and sleep together in a bed.

The whole idea is pretty great, although I would have preferred some better filmmaking, yet nevertheless, works.

I don't care what the critics say (although the critic in our state gave it four stars). Ryan Reynolds is charming and sweet, while also having a masculinity about him. And Sandra Bullock does the bitch-on-heels thing more likable than Meryl Streep did in "The Devil Wears Prada". The film will definitely keep you giggling, if not laughing your ass off for the full 2 hours. And thanks to the cast, it's heartwarming and touching where it needs to be. See it!

"

"I absolutely loved this movie and so did the 2 teenage girls I went with. Don't listen to those idiot men movie reviewers, they don't have a clue. The cast is awesome and I laughed through the last 1/2 of the movie to an extreme. If you have a sense of humor and a heart, you will love this movie, especially Sandra Bullock and Betty White! 10 stars! "

"At The Movies

The Proposal (G) * * * *

Wedded Bliss!

By ROBERT WALDMAN

No doubt getting married is a big decision. Couples have been confounded for years when it comes to tying the knot. Marriages of convenience can also be problematic as is the case with arranged liasons in the modern world. Unpredictable interests collide in the most unusual way in The Proposal, a fine summer romantic comedy from Touchstone Pictures now warming hearts at Tinseltown (on Pender, free parking), Empire Studio 12, Colossus and Famous Players Silver city cites around B.C.

Big business has been getting a black eye recently what with the shenanigans on Wall Street. Small and medium sized businesses, on the other hand, are often admired and respected by the public. Success in business often depends on who you have working for you. One upscale book publisher gets by largely on the work ethic of one Margaret Tate. Taken from Meryl Streep’s patented The Devil Wears Prada school of know it alls Ms. Tate rules the roost with an iron fist. Everyone seems to walk on egg shells whenever she walks through the door – any door – on company property. Only her trusty aide Andrew Paxton seems to put up with her.

Thanks to a rather obscure legal dilemma Ms. Tate gets the shock of her life. Told to buck up or leave town this dragon lady devises a rescue plan that sees her flee the coup and head off to Alaska in a last ditch effort to save her upwardly mobile career. Things go from bad to worse in the land where the sun never sets as Margaret gets to know all the members of Andrew’s family in a clumsy effort at romance.

Director Anne Fletcher (27 Dresses) knows her way around romantic comedy and here she’s lucked out with a great cast and a pretty heartfelt story. Like the fish out of water Sandra Bullock (Speed) comes on strong as the bitchy Margaret, a take no prisoners type who runs smack dab into a dilemma largely set forth by her own naivety. Vancouver born Ryan Reynolds (X-Men Origins: Wolverine) comes through big time as a romantic foil to a boss who undergoes his own radical change in this crowd-pleasing movie.

Without wanting to give too much of the story away, let’s just say there is major under the surface chemistry between Bullock and Reynolds here in a feel good type of movie. Family is truly at the heart of this 108 minute movie that also boasts some truly remarkable, scene-stealing secondary characters. Worth noting is ageless wonder Betty White (Bringing Down the House) as a raging granny and a Latin actor who’s kind of a showstopper.

Sure to be the date flick of the summer, The Proposal rings true and opens up a whole new dimension concerning family relationships, big city versus the country issues and the need to commit.

Read more reviews by Robert at www.moviereviewssite.com "