The Proposal (2009 film)

2009 Disney Studios film

The Proposal

Theatrical release poster

Directed by| Anne Fletcher
Written by|

* Peter Chiarelli

Produced by|

* David Hoberman
* Todd Lieberman

Starring|

* Sandra Bullock
* Ryan Reynolds
* Malin Åkerman
* Craig T. Nelson
* Mary Steenburgen
* Betty White

Cinematography| Oliver Stapleton
Edited by| Priscilla Nedd-Friendly
Music by| Aaron Zigman

Production
companies

* Touchstone Pictures
* Kurtzman/Orci Productions
* Mandeville Films

Distributed by| Walt Disney Studios
Motion Pictures

Release dates

* June 1, 2009 (2009-06-01) (El Capitan Theatre)
* June 19, 2009 (2009-06-19) (United States)

Running time

| 108 minutes
Country| United States
Language| English
Budget| $40 million[1]
Box office| $317.4 million[1]

The Proposal is a 2009 American romantic comedy film directed by Anne Fletcher and written by Peter Chiarelli. Produced by Kurtzman/Orci Productions, Mandeville Films, and Touchstone Pictures, it stars Sandra Bullock as a high-powered Canadian book editor facing deportation from the United States, and Ryan Reynolds as her assistant, whom she convinces to enter a sham engagement to maintain her visa status. The supporting cast includes Malin Åkerman, Craig T. Nelson, Mary Steenburgen, and Betty White.

Development began in 2005 when Chiarelli’s screenplay attracted the interest of Touchstone Pictures. Principal photography took place in Massachusetts and Alaska from April to May 2008. Incorporating conventions of the romantic comedy genre, the film blends workplace satire with family-centered storytelling and themes of identity and personal growth.

The Proposal premiered in the United States on June 19, 2009. It received mixed reviews from critics, who praised the lead performances and chemistry between Bullock and Reynolds but criticized its formulaic plot. The film emerged as a commercial success, grossing over $317 million worldwide on a $40 million budget, making it one of the highest-grossing romantic comedies of the 2000s. Bullock received a nomination for the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy.

## Plot

[edit]

Margaret Tate is a Canadian editor-in-chief at a New York City book publishing company. Feared by her subordinates for her demanding nature, she is informed of her imminent deportation due to an expired visa. To retain her position, Margaret coerces her assistant, Andrew Paxton, into agreeing to a sham engagement, promising to promote him to editor and publish a manuscript he has championed.

To make their relationship appear genuine, the pair travel to Andrew's hometown of Sitka, Alaska, to celebrate the 90th birthday of his grandmother, Annie, and meet his parents, Joe and Grace. Margaret is surprised to discover that the Paxtons are wealthy and prominent in the community. Tensions emerge between Andrew and Joe, who disapproves of his son's career choices and suspects ulterior motives behind the engagement. Meanwhile, Margaret and Andrew grow closer, with Margaret gradually revealing a more vulnerable side.

Immigration officer Gilbertson, suspicious of the sudden engagement, arrives in Sitka to investigate the couple. He offers them the opportunity to confess without penalty, but they continue to maintain the ruse. During the wedding ceremony, Margaret has a change of heart and admits to the deception, returning to New York.

Realizing his feelings for Margaret are genuine, Andrew follows her to the office and professes his love. The two reconcile and decide to pursue a real relationship, informing Gilbertson that they are now genuinely engaged.

## Cast

[edit]

* Sandra Bullock as Margaret Tate, a pushy editor-in-chief at a major New York City book publisher
* Ryan Reynolds as Andrew Paxton, Margaret's assistant whose ultimate career goal is to become an editor
* Malin Åkerman as Gertrude, Andrew's ex-girlfriend
* Craig T. Nelson as Joe Paxton, Andrew's father, who owns the family businesses that dominate the town of Sitka
* Mary Steenburgen as Grace Paxton, Andrew's mother
* Betty White as Annie Paxton, Andrew's paternal grandmother and Joe's mother
* Oscar Nunez as Ramone, a jack-of-all-trades resident of Sitka who holds many jobs including waiter, male stripper, shopkeeper, and minister
* Denis O'Hare as Mr. Gilbertson, the immigration agent investigating Margaret's case
* Michael Nouri as Chairman Bergen, Tate's superior who is the chairman of the board of directors
* Aasif Mandvi as Bob Spaulding, a fired editor who Tate's superiors plan to rehire if Tate gets deported since he is the only one to match her skills
* Michael Mosley as Chuck, Andrew's friend

## Production

[edit]

### Development

[edit]

The screenplay for The Proposal was written by Peter Chiarelli in 2005.[2] Touchstone Pictures expressed interest in the project soon after. In January 2008, Anne Fletcher signed on to direct the film.[3]

### Casting

[edit]

In May 2007, Sandra Bullock was cast in the lead role of Margaret Tate.[4] Julia Roberts was originally offered the role but declined.[5] Two months later, Ryan Reynolds was confirmed as her co-star.[2] The supporting cast includes Betty White, Craig T. Nelson, Mary Steenburgen, and Malin Akerman.

### Filming

[edit]

Principal photography began on April 2, 2008, in Rockport, Massachusetts, which was dressed to resemble Sitka, Alaska, the film’s primary setting.[6] Filming locations included Bearskin Neck, Motif Number 1, and the central business district.[6][7] The production later moved to Manchester-by-the-Sea, where city officials accommodated the shoot by leasing public parking areas. Additional scenes were filmed in Boston and Lower Manhattan.[8] The wedding scene was shot in a Victorian home over the course of three weeks.[6][9] In total, the film includes over 350 shots enhanced with computer-generated imagery.[10] Filming was briefly delayed due to a minor car accident involving Bullock and her husband.[11]

### Post-production

[edit]

Aaron Zigman composed the film's score, which was recorded with the Hollywood Studio Symphony at the Sony Scoring Stage.[12] In promotional interviews, Bullock and Reynolds discussed filming the nude shower scene, citing the technical challenges and humorous behind-the-scenes experiences that helped ease initial discomfort.[13][14]

## Release

[edit]

The Proposal premiered at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, California.

The Proposal held its premiere on June 1, 2009, at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, California.[15] It was released theatrically in the United States on June 19, 2009, by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures under the Touchstone Pictures banner.

### Home media

[edit]

The film was released on DVD and Blu-ray by Touchstone Home Entertainment on October 13, 2009.[16] In its first week, it sold over 2.4 million units, generating approximately $39.3 million in revenue. Sales declined by 70% in its second week, with 623,744 units sold, ranking second in DVD sales for that period.[17] As of July 2013, The Proposal had sold over 5.6 million units in the United States, earning more than $90 million in domestic home media revenue.[17]

## Reception

[edit]

### Box office

[edit]

The Proposal was released theatrically in the United States on June 19, 2009. It grossed approximately $12.7 million on its opening day across 3,056 theaters, making it the highest-grossing film of that day.[18] Over its opening weekend, the film earned over $34 million, outperforming Year One, Up, and The Hangover.[19] According to exit polling conducted by Disney, 63% of the opening weekend audience was female, 78% were over the age of eighteen, and 71% were in couples.[19] The debut marked the largest opening weekend of Sandra Bullock's career at that time, nearly doubling the previous record set by Premonition (2007).[20][1]

The film maintained strong box office performance internationally. In Australia, it opened on June 18, 2009, and grossed over $2.8 million during its opening weekend. In Russia, it earned more than $2.6 million during the same period, accounting for 34% of the nation's total box office revenue that weekend.[21] In South Africa, the film debuted at number two behind Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs and ultimately grossed over $2.6 million.[21] In the United Kingdom, it opened with an estimated $5.3 million.[22] By October 2011, The Proposal had grossed over $164 million in the United States and Canada and over $153 million in other territories, for a worldwide total of more than $317 million.[1] It ranked as the twenty-first highest-grossing film of 2009.[23]

### Critical reception

[edit]

Despite the film's mixed reviews, critics praised the performances and chemistry between Sandra Bullock (left) and Ryan Reynolds (right).

On the review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, The Proposal holds an approval rating of 45% based on 187 reviews, with an average score of 5.32/10. The site's consensus reads: "Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds exhibit plenty of chemistry, but they're let down by The Proposal's devotion to formula."[24] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 48 out of 100 based on 30 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".[25] Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "A−" on an A+ to F scale.[26]

Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times gave the film three out of four stars, acknowledging that the premise was familiar but praising the performances for elevating the material.[27] Peter Travers of Rolling Stone was more critical, describing the film as "insipid" and criticizing its lack of emotional authenticity.[28] The New York Times' Manohla Dargis commented that Bullock’s role was less compelling than her previous work, writing that she “has always been better in fundamentally independent roles.”[29] Tim Robey of The Telegraph awarded the film two out of five stars, citing a lack of originality.[30]

> It's saying a lot about this section [...] that its comic highlight is Bullock having her mobile phone stolen by a passing eagle, and proffering the family's puppy by way of exchange. In fairness, the leads get very naked before they strictly intend to, and the sound department notches up at least one big laugh with the wettest slap you've ever heard when they unexpectedly collide [...]. But the more recurrent noise towards the end was me groaning with disappointment, that a movie which had struck gold with its central matchmaking was succeeding so ruthlessly in taking the shine off. On the plus side, it's done great business, so we might get to see Bullock and Reynolds back in something soon.

— Tim Robey of The Telegraph[30]

The chemistry between Bullock and Reynolds received praise from several reviewers. Lisa Schwarzbaum of Entertainment Weekly wrote that their interactions were "fresh and irresistible."[31] Zorianna Kit of The Huffington Post noted that their “undeniable on-screen chemistry” kept audiences engaged, despite the film’s occasional lapses into silliness.[32] Betsey Sharkley of the Los Angeles Times called their relationship “a cheeky update of The Taming of the Shrew,” and praised Bullock’s physical comedy and Reynolds’ comedic timing.[33]

Conversely, Peter Bradshaw of The Guardian was less favorable, awarding the film one out of five stars and stating that the leads' romantic development was unconvincing and lacked genuine chemistry.[34]The chemistry between Bullock and Reynolds received praise from several reviewers. Lisa Schwarzbaum of Entertainment Weekly wrote that their interactions were "fresh and irresistible."[31] Zorianna Kit of The Huffington Post noted that their “undeniable on-screen chemistry” kept audiences engaged, despite the film’s occasional lapses into silliness.[32] Betsey Sharkley of the Los Angeles Times called their relationship “a cheeky update of The Taming of the Shrew,” and praised Bullock’s physical comedy and Reynolds’ comedic timing.[33]

Conversely, Peter Bradshaw of The Guardian was less favorable, awarding the film one out of five stars and stating that the leads' romantic development was unconvincing and lacked genuine chemistry.[34]

## Accolades

[edit]

Award  | Date of the ceremony  | Category  | Recipients  | Result  | Ref.

|
|
|
|
|

Satellite Awards | 20 December 2009 | Best Actress – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy | Sandra Bullock | Nominated  | [35]
People's Choice Awards | 6 January 2010 | Favorite Movie  | The Proposal | Nominated  | [36]
Favorite Comedy Movie  | Nominated
Favorite On-Screen Team  | Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds | Nominated
Teen Choice Awards | 9 August 2009 | Choice Summer Movie – Romance  | The Proposal | Won  | [37]
Choice Summer Movie Star – Male  | Ryan Reynolds  | Nominated
Choice Summer Movie Star – Female  | Sandra Bullock  | Won
8 August 2010 | Choice Movie – Romantic Comedy | The Proposal | Nominated  | [38][39]
Choice Movie Actor – Romantic Comedy  | Ryan Reynolds  | Nominated
Choice Movie Actress – Romantic Comedy  | Sandra Bullock  | Won
Choice Movie Scene Stealer – Female | Betty White | Nominated
Choice Movie – Chemistry  | Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds  | Nominated
Choice Movie – Liplock  | Nominated
Choice Movie – Dance  | Sandra Bullock and Betty White  | Won
Critics' Choice Movie Awards | 15 January 2010 | Best Comedy | The Proposal | Nominated  | [40]
Golden Globe Awards | 17 January 2010 | Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy | Sandra Bullock  | Nominated  | [41]
Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards | 27 March 2010 | Favorite Movie Actress  | Sandra Bullock (also for The Blind Side) | Nominated  | [42]
MTV Movie & TV Awards | 6 June 2010 | Best Comedic Performance | Sandra Bullock  | Nominated  | [43]
Ryan Reynolds  | Nominated
Best Kiss | Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds  | Nominated
Best WTF Moment | Betty White  | Nominated

## Remakes

[edit]

The Proposal has inspired several international remakes across different languages and cultures. A loose Malayalam-language adaptation titled My Boss was released in 2012. Directed by Jeethu Joseph and starring Dileep and Mamta Mohandas, the film follows a storyline similar to the original, with a dominant female executive coercing her subordinate into a fake engagement to avoid deportation. In 2014, the Kannada-language film Software Ganda, directed by Venkatesh and starring Jaggesh and Nikita Thukral, also adopted a similar premise.

A Tamil-language remake titled Sandakkari, starring Vimal and Shriya Saran and directed by R. Madhesh, was officially announced as an adaptation of The Proposal. Although production began in 2015, the film faced multiple delays and has not been released as of 2025.

In June 2016, Walt Disney Pictures announced a Chinese-language remake in collaboration with Linmon Pictures. Taiwanese filmmaker Yee Chih-yen was signed to direct the project, which was part of Disney's initiative to localize popular titles for international markets. The remake was intended to reframe the original story within a culturally relevant context for Chinese audiences.[44]

An Iranian version titled To va man ("You and I") was released in 2011, also loosely inspired by the central premise of a fabricated engagement to avoid immigration consequences.

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b c d "The Proposal (2009)". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved June 22, 2009.
2. ^ a b Kits, Borys (July 31, 2007). "Reynolds wed to 'Proposal'". The Hollywood Reporter. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved October 23, 2011.
3. ^ Kits, Borys (January 16, 2008). "She'll accept Dis 'Proposal'". The Hollywood Reporter. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved October 23, 2011.
4. ^ Kits, Borys (May 25, 2007). "Romantic 'Proposal' for Bullock". The Hollywood Reporter. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved October 23, 2011.
5. ^ Abramowitz, Rachel (January 12, 2010). "Can Julia Roberts come back on her own terms?". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 23, 2011.
6. ^ a b c Silverstein, Stephanie (April 4, 2008). "Disney begins filming on 'The Proposal'". Wicked Local Rockport. Perinton, New York: GateHouse Media. Archived from the original on October 20, 2013. Retrieved October 22, 2011.
7. ^ "The Proposal Trailer and Movie Set Transformation". Good Morning Gloucester. April 22, 2009.
8. ^ "The Proposal (2009)". On the Set of New York. Retrieved October 23, 2011.
9. ^ Rimer, Sara (July 29, 2009). "When Hollywood Moved In". The New York Times. Retrieved October 22, 2011.
10. ^ Feeney, Mark (June 12, 2009). "A movie boom's special effect". Boston Globe. The New York Times Company. Archived from the original on July 22, 2012. Retrieved October 23, 2011.
11. ^ Silverstein, Stephanie (April 21, 2008). "Sandra Bullock resumes filming despite Friday car accident". Wicked Local. Archived from the original on April 7, 2012. Retrieved October 22, 2011.
12. ^ Goldwasser, Dan (May 6, 2009). "Aaron Zigman scores The Proposal". ScoringSessions.com. Archived from the original on February 1, 2013. Retrieved May 6, 2009.
13. ^ Lewington, Lara (July 15, 2009). "Sandra Happy To Go Stark Bullock Naked". Sky News. British Sky Broadcasting Group. Archived from the original on November 3, 2013. Retrieved October 22, 2011.
14. ^ Lehner, Marla (June 3, 2009). "Ryan Reynolds: The Truth About Nude Scenes". People. Time Inc. Archived from the original on June 4, 2009. Retrieved October 23, 2011.
15. ^ "Access Extended: 'The Proposal' Premiere, Hollywood". Access Hollywood. June 2, 2009. Archived from the original on June 3, 2009. Retrieved October 23, 2011.
16. ^ Thorton, Michelle (August 17, 2009). ""The Proposal" On DVD October 13th". ReelEmpire.com. Archived from the original on July 6, 2013. Retrieved August 18, 2009.
17. ^ a b "The Proposal - DVD Sales". The Numbers. Retrieved July 13, 2013.
18. ^ Ellwood, Gregory (June 20, 2009). "Friday Box Office: 'The Proposal' gives Sandra Bullock a record opening day". HitFix. Archived from the original on November 2, 2013. Retrieved October 24, 2011.
19. ^ a b Gray, Brandon (June 21, 2009). "Weekend Report: 'Proposal' Pops to the Top, 'Year One' Lacks Stones". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved June 22, 2009.
20. ^ Young, John (June 21, 2009). "'The Proposal' celebrates box office win". CNN. Archived from the original on March 3, 2022. Retrieved October 24, 2011.
21. ^ a b "The Proposal (2009)". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved June 22, 2009.
22. ^ "The Proposal - Weekend (United Kingdom)". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved September 5, 2024.
23. ^ "2009 Worldwide Box Office". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved September 5, 2024.
24. ^ "The Proposal (2009)". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango. Retrieved June 11, 2019.
25. ^ "The Proposal reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved June 18, 2009.
26. ^ "The Proposal" (Type "The Proposal" in the search box). CinemaScore.
27. ^ Ebert, Robert (June 17, 2009). "I've never met a Canadian woman who ordered me to marry her". Chicago Sun-Times. Archived from the original on March 9, 2013. Retrieved June 21, 2009.
28. ^ Travers, Peter (June 21, 2009). "The Proposal". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on September 9, 2012. Retrieved September 19, 2010.
29. ^ Dargis, Manohla (June 18, 2009). "From the Corporate Jungle to Wild Alaska: Taming the Savage Boss". The New York Times. Retrieved October 22, 2011.
30. ^ a b Robey, Tim (July 23, 2009). "The Proposal, review". The Telegraph. Telegraph Media Group. Archived from the original on January 12, 2022. Retrieved October 22, 2011.
31. ^ a b Schwarzbaum, Lisa (June 16, 2009). "The Proposal Movie Review". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on June 19, 2009. Retrieved June 21, 2009.
32. ^ a b Kit, Zorianna (June 22, 2009). "Movie Review: The Proposal". The Huffington Post. Retrieved October 24, 2011.
33. ^ a b Sharkey, Betsey (June 19, 2009). "The Proposal". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 24, 2011.
34. ^ a b Bradshaw, Peter (July 23, 2009). "The Proposal". The Guardian. Guardian News and Media. Retrieved October 24, 2011.
35. ^ "2009 14th Annual SATELLITE AWARDS". International Press Academy. Archived from the original on October 8, 2011. Retrieved October 27, 2011.
36. ^ "People's Choice Awards 2010". People's Choice Awards. Archived from the original on January 14, 2010. Retrieved October 27, 2011.
37. ^ Coppersmith, Scott (August 9, 2009). "Teen Choice Awards 2009: The Nominees". KTTV. Archived from the original on June 26, 2010. Retrieved October 27, 2011.
38. ^ Soll, Lindsay (June 14, 2010). "Teen Choice Awards 2010: First Round Of Nominees Announced". MTV. Viacom. Archived from the original on July 14, 2011. Retrieved October 27, 2011.
39. ^ Soll, Lindsay (June 28, 2010). "Teen Choice Awards 2010: Second (Giant) Wave Of Nominees Announced". MTV (Viacom). Archived from the original on October 11, 2011. Retrieved October 27, 2011.
40. ^ Accomando, Beth (December 14, 2009). "Broadcast Film Critics Association Announces Nominations". KPBS. Retrieved October 27, 2011.
41. ^ Burr, Ty (December 15, 2009). "The Golden Globe film nominations". Boston Globe. The New York Times Company. Archived from the original on February 23, 2014. Retrieved October 27, 2011.
42. ^ entertainment, mcm. "Miley Cyrus, Twilight Lead 2010 Nickelodeon Kid's Choice Awards Nominations - Take 40". www.take40.com. Archived from the original on March 9, 2013. Retrieved June 18, 2025.
43. ^ "2010 MTV Movie Awards". MTV. Viacom. Archived from the original on March 25, 2010. Retrieved October 27, 2011.
44. ^ Brzeski, Patrick (June 13, 2016). "Disney to Co-Produce Chinese Remake of Sandra Bullock's 'The Proposal' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved June 14, 2016.

## External links

[edit]

Wikiquote has quotations related to The Proposal (2009 film).

* Official website (archived)
* The Proposal at IMDb
* The Proposal at Metacritic
* The Proposal at Box Office Mojo
* The Proposal at Rotten Tomatoes

* v
* t
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Films directed by Anne Fletcher

* Step Up (2006)
* 27 Dresses (2008)
* The Proposal (2009)
* The Guilt Trip (2012)
* Hot Pursuit (2015)
* Dumplin' (2018)
* Hocus Pocus 2 (2022)

Authority control databases

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* VIAF

National|

* Germany

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