Quartile rating: 7.5/10 · 3 ratings
When she learns she's in danger of losing her visa status and being deported, overbearing book editor Margaret Tate forces her put-upon assistant, Andrew Paxton, to marry her.
The Proposal is a charming but thoroughly formulaic romantic comedy that hits every expected beat of the fake-relationship genre without much deviation. Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds have genuine chemistry and carry the film with likable performances, elevating what is otherwise a predictable enemies-to-lovers arc. The cinematography is functional but unremarkable, typical of mid-budget Hollywood rom-coms. The Alaskan fish-out-of-water setting adds a little flavor but the premise and story beats are recycled from countless predecessors. The ending resolves exactly as expected with no surprises. Its appeal lies almost entirely in its leads rather than any particular craft or originality.