The Proposal (2009/Touchstone/Disney Blu-ray + DVD)

 

Picture: C+/C     Sound: B-     Extras: D     Film: D

 

 

It is hard to believe Anne Fletcher’s The Proposal (2009) was a big hit comedy, but after watching it, we see why Julia Roberts turned it down and refused a pay cut.  To Sandra Bullock’s advantage, she did take a cut and picked up both a hit and a producing credit.  Unfortunately, it is a remarkably silly, dumb film that is beyond predictable and is dumb in such an odd way that it is uniquely dumb.

 

Bullock plays Margaret, a tough business woman who goes overboard one time too many for the sake of the company, then finds herself in a new predicament when she discovers she may be deported.  Deported!  Yes, her work visa will soon expire and if she stays, she’ll be an illegal immigrant… from Canada!  Oh the shock.  What will the U.S. do about that terrifying situation?

 

She decides to ask her assistant (Ryan Reynolds) to help her out to the point that she proposes they pretend to get married so she can stay.  He wants a few things out of the shotgun-like arrangement and here they go pretending to really like each other.  To say this is like watching a bad sitcom is an understatement, but we guess audiences (especially older and female) were in the mood for one and it was a big hit.

 

Helping the situation (the film needs all the help it can get) includes co-stars Betty White, Mary Steenburgen, Michael Nouri and Craig T. Nelson.  Director Anne Fleischer already delivered duds like Step Up and 27 Dresses, but the third time seems to have been a charm in what is her worst film to date.  Bullock has her charm still and Reynolds can hold his own, but I was surprised how lame this was and for some people, the 1980s are not over yet.  For the very, very curious only.

 

 

The 1080p 1.85 X 1 digital High Definition image looks like a bad HD shoot despite the fact that it was shot in 35mm and with one of my favorite anamorphic lenses, Hawk Scope!  Why this looks so poor down to the detail and color is odd, but maybe someone got carried away with the digital internegative.  The anamorphically enhanced DVD is even weaker with bad Video Black and 35mm footage I have seen looked better than either format.

 

The Blu-ray has a DTS-HD MA (Master Audio) lossless 48/24 5.1 soundtrack and it is on the weak side as the sound design relies on dialogue and jokes.  In comparison to the Dolby Digital 5.1 on the DVD, they offer almost the same results, though you can hear the DTS sounding warmer at least.

 

Extras include Blu-ray exclusive Additional Deleted Scenes, while both format versions have Digital Copy for PC and PC portable devices, an audio commentary by Fleischer and Writer Peter Chiarelli (his writing debut!), Alternate Ending with optional commentary by the two, Deleted Scenes with optional commentary by the two and Set Antics: Outtakes & Other Absurdities from the film.

 

 

-   Nicholas Sheffo