The Proposal
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures | Release Date: June 19, 2009 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
48
METASCORE
Mixed or average reviews based on 30 Critic Reviews
Positive:
12
Mixed:
13
Negative:
5
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Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
83
Entertainment WeeklyLisa Schwarzbaum
The chemical energy between Bullock and Reynolds is fresh and irresistible. Read full review
80
The Hollywood ReporterKevin Lally
The situations might be formulaic, but the teamwork of the two leads brings them to sparkling life. Read full review
75
Chicago Sun-TimesRoger Ebert
Recycles a plot that was already old when Tracy and Hepburn were trying it out. You see it coming from a great distance away. As it draws closer, you don't duck out of the way, because it is so cheerfully done, you don't mind being hit by it. Read full review
75
Philadelphia InquirerCarrie Rickey
Hilarious fun. Read full review
75
The Globe and Mail (Toronto)Liam Lacey
May be well-trod territory, but worth a walk down the movie aisle. Read full review
70
VarietyBrian Lowry
The Proposal won't catch any bouquets for originality, but in terms of a bended-knee pitch for the affections of women -- including Ryan Reynolds’ boyish charms, a hip granny and even a beyond-adorable puppy -- this romantic comedy pretty much pulls out all the stops. Read full review
70
Washington PostAnn Hornaday
It's as predictable and comforting as a Happy Meal, but it must be said that The Proposal manages to elicit some genuinely amusing moments. Read full review
70
Los Angeles TimesBetsy Sharkey
Just a good old-fashioned romance, one in which people actually bring out the best in one another rather than the worst. How novel is that? Read full review
70
Chicago ReaderAndrea Gronvall
Director Anne Fletcher delivers more bite and brisker pacing than she did with "27 Dresses." Read full review
63
USA TodayClaudia Puig
A serviceable and intermittently funny romance. Read full review
63
New York PostLou Lumenick
Shamelessly derivative, contrived and predictable, The Proposal is nonetheless a crowd-pleasing romantic comedy. Read full review
63
New Orleans Times-PicayuneMike Scott
If it weren't for the casting of Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds in the lead roles, the film probably would have gone straight to DVD. Read full review
50
ReelViewsJames Berardinelli
The Proposal follows a paint-by-numbers script, it fails one key acid test: it doesn't sell the romance. Read full review
50
Village VoiceRobert Wilonsky
You know every tinny beat and false note by heart, from the implausible setup to the sprint-to-the-airport finish. Read full review
50
Austin ChronicleKimberley Jones
Fletcher demonstrates, as with her second film, "27 Dresses," that she can put together a funny, able romantic comedy that is a cut above, but no more. Still, those leads are awfully likable, the Massachusetts-for-Alaska landscape rather picturesque, and if The Proposal doesn't reinvent the wheel, merrily we roll along nonetheless. Read full review
50
The A.V. ClubKeith Phipps
It's the material that stinks, failing to give even an old pro like White more than a couple of modest laughs. Read full review
50
Chicago TribuneMichael Phillips
The Proposal reworks "Two Weeks Notice" with the genders switched. Read full review
50
The New York TimesManohla Dargis
Ms. Bullock, who excels at playing spunky, is as appealing as usual, but the role proves as awkward as those heels. Read full review
50
San Francisco ChronicleAmy Biancolli
The premise of The Proposal is one big cliche. Read full review
50
TV Guide MagazinePerry Seibert
Bullock playing against type is the only original thing going on in the whole film. Read full review
50
PremiereRobert Calvert
Betty White is what makes this film memorable as Andrew’s grandmother. She steals every scene, and adds the sweetness that a film like this needs. Read full review
42
Portland OregonianM. E. Russell
The film is flat and false in the exact same way that director Anne Fletcher's last rom-com, "27 Dresses," was flat and false. Read full review
40
SalonStephanie Zacharek
A romantic comedy doesn't need to be original to be enjoyable, and yet The Proposal still falls way too short of the mark. Read full review
40
New York Daily NewsElizabeth Weitzman
It's impossible to guess why Bullock was ever attracted to this insulting role, and the eternally confident Reynolds is miscast as a young, bullied underling. Read full review
40
EmpireIan Freer
Despite good moments and likable leads, this lacks both heart and humour in a confection that smacks of the over-familiar. Read full review
38
Boston GlobeWesley Morris
Neither (Bullock/Reynolds) brings out anything good in the other, and watching them try hurts the eyes, the tummy, and the libido. Read full review
30
Wall Street JournalJoe Morgenstern
Why is she (Bullock) demeaning herself with such shoddy goods? She’s a talented woman with a faithful following. She has made formula films of varying quality before, and her fans may well swallow this one, but it’s a formula for disappointment laced with dismay. Read full review
25
Rolling StonePeter Travers
A romantic comedy so numbing it feels like Novocaine. Read full review
25
Baltimore SunMichael Sragow
The film saddles Craig T. Nelson with the generally thankless role of Paxton's cold, distant dad. But when he feels like the only person who doesn't understand what's going on with Tate and his son, you feel like saying, "No, me too." Read full review
16
Christian Science MonitorPeter Rainer
Monumentally unromantic. Read full review
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