The Proposal ~~

Passable rom-com with Sandra Bullock.

Bullock is the uber up-tight, over-achieving boss of a publishing company. (Although I hate it when it's suggested that a successful woman in business is anything but pushy and aggressive and not in a nice, male-acceptable way...) She's told she's being deported back to Canada and whilst thinking on her feet claims all will be well because she's due to marry her assistant, ably played by Ryan Reynolds. Snazzy switch of the usual gender role portrayal! They do not get on at all (in fact he really rather despises her) but he accepts that his future in publishing depends on his agreement with the lie.

The beginning of the film scores highly for laughs but once Bullock and Reynolds head to Alaska to get married, the script, pace and use of a Grandma undermine the biting, bitchy and funnier start of the film. The star of the film from this point on for me was the use of a beautiful Alaskan town on the coast.

I don't feel the need to go on other than to say I am sure you can guess the outcome...

I really love Sandra Bullock but feel her talent is really beginning to miss out on the more meatier parts I know she could handle. What's wrong with more scripts and films for women. Women over 30, too!!??!! There are some great comediennes out there. Why do studios insist on over looking the talents of actresses like Bullock for less competent but younger women - or not even women at all - just men!!?

Viewed: 29th July 2009