White was a true star in ‘The Proposal’
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Just like many of you I'm sure, I was absolutely devastated to learn of Betty White's passing on Dec. 31. When I saw the headlines I couldn't help be feel some tears come to my vision. The First Lady of Television, a comedic genius in her later years, gone just weeks before her 100th birthday? It felt like 2021 was playing one last cruel trick before handing the reigns to 2022.
In honor of White, I've decided to review one of the the movies she starred in. As her title indicates, she was more of a television icon for the majority of her years. However, "The Proposal" served as one of her breaks from television. And boy did she do a great job at it.
"The Proposal" is a 2009 film released by Walt Disney Pictures and stars Sandra Bullock, Ryan Reynolds, White and a few other familiar faces.
It centers around Margaret Tate (Bullock), a cold hearted editor-in-chief of a publishing company, and Andrew Paxton (Reynolds), her assistant. When Margaret is facing deportation back to Canada she convinces Andrew to marry her in an effort to keep her Visa, and her job.
Andrew takes the job, in return for a his manuscript being published and the chance at becoming an editor himself.
Of course, before things can be settled, the two have to face down a very suspicious U.S. Immigration agent. The pair don't really manage to convince him that they're a couple, but do say they'll be telling Andrew's family (Margaret's parents died when she was young) at his childhood home… in Alaska.
From here Margaret and Andrew embark on a rather classic rom-com story plot. We meet the family, which includes Grandma Annie (White), Andrew's parents Grace (Mary Steenburgen) and Joe (Craig T. Nelson). There's even a past love interest of Andrew's, school teacher Gertrude (Malin Akerman), who provides a little added drama.
Bullock and Reynolds of course knock it out of the park. Both actors often have a very specific delivery and bring a dry, sarcastic humor, into their roles that feeds well off each other. And, of course, you can see throughout the film as their walls seem to come down much to their displeasure… at first anyway. This is a rom-com, so of course we're going to see them realize their love for each other!
And I can't say enough about White. "The Proposal" served as one of her first dips into this form of comedy. She spent maybe a half hour total in this hour and 48 minute film, but her performance as the quick witted, slightly odd grandma is so memorable. Especially the fire scene with Bullock.
"The Proposal" isn't anything groundbreaking. It's a classic rom-com with multiple tropes and a typical ending. However, that doesn't mean it isn't enjoyable to watch. With its comedic aspects, delivered impeccably by its cast I might add, it really is an enjoyable movie.
And, c'mon, you get to see Betty White swear and say inappropriate things in a sweet, grandmotherly way.
"The Proposal" is rated PG-13 and can be viewed on YouTube, Apple TV, Vudu, Amazon Prime Video and Google Play.
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Laura Jameson is a staff reporter for The Express.