Enjoyable romcom that succeeds thanks to the chemistry and comic timing of its two leads, but it's also formulaic, completely predictable and nowhere near as funny as it thinks it is.
Comment
07/24/09
The Proposal (2009)
43
%
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted:176
Fresh:76
Rotten:100
Average Rating:5.3/10
Consensus: Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds exhibit plenty of chemistry, but they're let down by The Proposal’s devotion to formula.
Theatrical Release:22-07-2009
Synopsis: THE PROPOSAL could have been a strictly script-by-numbers affair, but hilarious performances by Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds improve this romantic comedy. Publishing powerhouse Margaret Tate... [More]
Starring: Sandra Bullock, Ryan Reynolds, Malin Akerman, Craig T. Nelson
Director: Anne Fletcher
Reviews for The Proposal
As brightly enjoyable as this film is, there's no escaping the fact that it's yet another formulaic rom-com.
07/24/09
Dear Hollywood, from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health . . . please stop parping out meritless tripe like this.
07/24/09
It's not The Proposal's predictability that's the main problem, it's the lazy way it doesn't even try to cover up this predictability with witty jokes.
07/24/09
Sandra Bullock's performance alone deserves to give the star her first big comedy success since Miss Congeniality.
07/24/09
A likeable romantic comedy featuring two charismatic leads who can’t quite escape the shackles of a predictable storyline.
06/15/09
It's not awful, certainly not memorable and - despite the words of at least one quote whore - it's not "the year's best comedy."
11/02/09
a morass of clichés
10/31/09
Tailored to fit Sandra Bullock more snugly than the antique wedding gown altered for the star during the final act, the film begins to fall apart at the seams after its focus wanders from its promising screwball premise...
10/30/09
Bullock is totally at home in this territory, and she remains fun to watch, but I do wish she would get stronger, possibly more original comedic material.
10/20/09
Unfortunately, this winning team is stuck in a dumb vehicle.
10/16/09
The Proposal doesn't blaze any new ground, but it doesn't raze any old ground either. It's a solid, old-fashioned romantic comedy that's more interested in the romance than in being silly or raunchy. These days, that's refreshing enough.
10/10/09
It's obviously formula stuff, and follows that formula so earnestly that at points you'll wince more than swoon (why does every big proclamation of love in the final scenes need to be made in public?).
09/10/09
There is something to be said for such a relentlessly by-the-numbers chick flick programmer that is nonetheless a breezily enjoyable sit.
08/31/09
I was engaged by the fiery chemistry between Bullock and Reynolds.
08/03/09
Bullock and Reynolds ... end up elevating The Proposal, turning something old into something (almost) new, something borrowed into something cute.
07/17/09
Sometimes, 'The Proposal' is rather engaging.
07/15/09
Bullock deserves better material and so do her fans. The moral: Don't accept a role unless you have read the entire script. Perhaps that's a more worthwhile proposal.
07/15/09
The Proposal feels both new and familiar. It's new, in that it doesn't obey a lot of rules of romantic comedies, while not breaking with tradition, and familiar in that it is reminiscent of some of the best romantic comedies without seeming too derivativ
07/14/09
Familiarity breeds contempt
07/07/09
Latest News for The Proposal
June 26, 2009:
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Time for the weekly update, folks. As always, thanks to everyone who has submitted reviews and helped contribute to the show. Every week, we continue to bring you a lively,... More...
June 22, 2009:
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This week, The Rotten Tomatoes Show will be looking at the movies that opened over the weekend, with help from you (the Rotten Tomatoes community), the Current TV community, and... More...
June 22, 2009:
Box office: Australia accepts Sandra's Proposal
Proof of the power of the cougar-com in this season of blockbuster action and low-brow man-movies, Sandra Bullock's The Proposal mirrored its US success and wooed Australian... More...
June 21, 2009:
Box Office Guru Wrapup: Audiences Can't Refuse Bullock's Proposal.
Sandra Bullock showed North America who's boss with her return to romantic comedy in The Proposal which gave the actress the biggest opening of her career and her first number... More...
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