No one has yet replaced Sandra Bullock in her total domination over romcoms (well okay, excluding a tie with Julia Roberts.) Her expertise is evident here , and reflects well on Ryan Reynolds, whose last foray into romcoms (Definitely, Maybe) did not go so well. They are a good onscreen match, and the audience roots for them gladly.
On the other hand, The Proposal is not nearly as good as some in Sandra’s past. There are quite a few weak moments, some slow pacing, and some absolute, slap-you-in-the-face clichés. To balance these out, here are some of the best moments.
1. Betty White pulls off last ditch effort to bring the family together by staging an elaborate ruse.
This beloved Golden Girls’ actress is by far the best supporting role in the movie, bringing just as much charm and comedy to the table as Sandra herself. Near the end of the film, she takes it upon herself to play hero in getting everyone to kiss and make up, so to speak. The events which she brings into play are carefully and expertly maneuvered, and of course, who can be angry at Grandma for trying to make peace? Wink, wink.
2. Oscar Nunez provides laughs and the “entertainment” for Sandra’s bachelorette party.
This is Nunez’s first foray into major film acting, but his face should be familiar from his recurring role on NBC’s The Office as matter-of-fact accountant Oscar Martinez. This new role in The Proposal was basically as far opposite from his Office character as he could possibly get. Loud, flamboyant, and exuberant, his character is a stripper, caterer, and finally a marriage official. Nunez does a fantastic job and is surely setting himself up for future character roles.
3. Sandra Bullock booty dances around a… campfire?
Through a somewhat contrived series of events, Bullock finds herself wandering through the woods and stumbles upon Grandma Annie (Betty White) doing what looks and sounds like a cross between a rain dance and a self-motivating chant. Bullock tries to draw back but is discovered, and pulled into the campfire circle by White. After much prodding, she begins a chant of her own, and as the chant grows louder it’s obvious that she’s chanting “Get Low” by Little John and the East Side Boyz. She continues to yell this rap song, booty dancing in a circle around the campfire. Easily the funniest scene in the movie, thanks to her comedic expertise.
4. Ryan Reynolds tries to keep up.
Reynolds’ best moment comes near the beginning of the movie, when Bullock first springs the idea of marriage on him in front of two company VIPs. The look on his face, as he struggles to keep his jaw off the floor and say something intelligent, is perfect.
5. Betty White launches an “egg hunt.”
Though this scene is in the trailer, it is still the funniest one liner in the movie. Bullock is trying on the family wedding dress and White makes a joke of “hunting” for her cleavage in the far-too-big dress. From anyone else it would be mediocre but from these two, it’s ridiculously charming.
