Reviews

The Proposal Blu-ray Disc Review

By brenden ⋅ October 19, 2009 ⋅  Email This Post ⋅  Print This Post ⋅ Post a comment

THE PROPOSAL (2009, Blu-ray released October 13, 2009 - MSRP $44.99)

I don’t hate romantic comedies. I wouldn’t say that they were necessarily my thing but you know, it’s nice to watch a mindless, formulaic movie every now and then. And The Proposal is just that - a kind of Rom-Com greatest hits. A film that follows familiar, well trodden paths with some nice performances by Sandra Bullock, Ryan Reynolds and Betty White.

It’s horrible to say, but I was expecting The Proposal to be a lot dirtier. More crass. And it’s because I’ve gotten used to the modern incarnation of Betty White. She’s 400 years old and out of control! Have you heard the mouth on that lady? Anyway, she’s pretty much the highlight of the film, despite her relatively tame dialogue. She plays Ryan Reynolds’ grandmother. Just one of many family members who gather to meet his new “fiance”, played by Sandra Bullock. Little do they know, the couple is not in love. In fact they barely like each other. Bullock is really Reynolds’ bitchy, controlling Canadian-born boss who has hatched a scheme to avoid deportation and keep her New York job by marrying her dutiful assistant. Reynolds, in turn for his compliance, will be given the gift of graduating to an editorial position within Bullock’s publishing company and spending a lifetime being beaten down by her at work and at home. Sheesh. That guy is totally a glutton for punishment!

But everything starts to turn around once the newly engaged couple arrives at Reynolds’ family home in Alaska. Mary Steenburgen and Craig T. Nelson (Coach!) as his mom and dad along with spunky grandma, White put the couple through their paces with awkward feel-ups and calls to immigration officials. But just as Bullock and Reynolds grow weary of dodging questions and keeping up the masquerade, they begin to fall for one another. Bullock loses her edge, growing fond of her new family and struggles with the guilt of the situation she’s put them all in. How can she go through with the marriage? Will she ever admit to her dirty little green-card scheme? If you’ve watched a few romantic comedies in your time, you’ll easily guess the answer to these and other questions. In fact, you could probably predict every turn of the plot and character moment within the film. Yes, it’s predictable. But it’s also a bit of a crowd pleaser. Bullock and Reynolds have good chemistry and White brings the laughs.

The Blu-ray edition of The Proposal isn’t going to win any technical awards but it looks and sounds all right, for what it is. I mean, come on - you’re not really expecting a comedy to be your home video show-piece, are you? The video transfer is fairly strong, exhibiting solid colours and detail with the occasional soft spot. The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track is almost all front and center, as most comedies tend to be, but is dynamic and appropriate.

There are a bunch of special features on the Blu-ray, none of which are going to blow your mind. The commentary track with director Anne Fletcher and writer Peter Chiarelli is serviceable, filled with fun little anecdotes but nothing of real consequence. The original ending of the film is included, with commentary from the film makers, and proves that re-writing and re-shooting was the wise decision. You’ll also find a handful of deleted scenes and a gag reel.

Tags: Anne Fletcher, Betty White, Comedy, Disney, Rom-Com, Romantic Comedy, Ryan Reynolds, Sandra Bullock, Touchstone Home Entertainment, Walt Disney Home Entertainment