"The Proposal", released 2009 and directed by Anne Fletcher, is not the ordinary romantic comedy genre film one expects. It is not a "chic flick". This movie seriously discusses immigration and deportation; expertly points out the laws and pitfalls. The storyline and plot are masterfully woven into a humorous, fun, and enjoyable movie.

"The Proposal" my husband and I enjoyed together. My husband's movie preference is the Western genre; plots filled with manly men stuff and the code of the wild west. For him to sit completely through a romantic comedy and have nothing negative to say indicates "The Proposal" was created for a broader audience than its genre indicates. Hat's off to the cast and crew! Well done!

"The Proposal" begins with Executive Editor-in-Chief Margaret Tate (Sandra Bullock) being informed her immigration visa has expired and that she will have to leave the Publishing Book Company since deportation to Canada is imminent. In order to save her employment and position, she forces her assistant Andrew Paxton (Ryan Reynolds) to agree to marry her and begin the legal process with the Department of Immigration. When Andrew balks (after visiting the Immigration Department and meeting with Phil Gilbertson (Dennis O'Hare) who explains how closely they will be watching for any sign of their engagement being solely for the purpose of saving Margaret from deportation, a felony) due to being a law abiding American and loathing his very demanding boss, Margaret poignantly points out how his future at the Publishing Book Company is linked to hers by describing how the first thing her replacement would do equals Andrew becoming unemployed. Andrew, being smarter than Margaret realizes, insists upon a business arrangement attached to his cooperation that gives him an immediate promotion to being an Editor. Margaret and Andrew dicker, but come to an agreement that is favorable to Andrew. This agreement includes Margaret attending his grandmother's 90th birthday in Sitka, Alaska so Andrew can tell his family at his discretion with her present about their being engaged to be married. This agreement between them precipitates events leading to Margaret being completely out of her element in Sitka, Alaska. The northern experience forces Margaret, orphaned at 16 years of age, to face what it is like to be a part of a family that loves one another, and makes her realize the importance of an honest relationship between a man and a woman.

In the order listed by the credits, other primary characters included: Mary Steenburgen (Grace Paxton, Andrew's mother), Craig T. Nelson (Joe Paxton, Andrew's father), Betty White (Grandma Annie Paxton aka Gammy), Maslin Akerman (Gertrude, Andrew's ex-girlfriend), Oscar Nunez (Ramone, who is the stripper at the local women's club, general store manager, and Reverend in Sitka, Alaska), and Aasif Mandvi (Bob Spaulding, fired in the first 10 minutes of the movie by Margaret for incompetence as a Senior Editor; causes problems by going above Margaret's head at work and to the Department of Immigration).

Even though "The Proposal" is rated PG-13, there are very adult scenes and the subject matter is targeted toward an audience of 18 years of age and older. The film is 1 hour and 48 minutes in length. "The Proposal" is on DVD. Sandra Bullock, Mary Steenburgen and Betty White once again provide us with excellently portrayed positive women roles. Each different, yet exquisite! If you are a fan of these actresses like I am, regard this movie as a "must see". Highly recommend!

Enjoy!