Proposal, The

Entertainment Weekly Lisa Schwarzbaum

The chemical energy between Bullock and Reynolds is fresh and irresistible.

The Hollywood Reporter Kevin Lally

The situations might be formulaic, but the teamwork of the two leads brings them to sparkling life.

Chicago Sun-Times Roger 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.

Philadelphia Inquirer Carrie Rickey

Hilarious fun.

The Globe and Mail (Toronto) Liam Lacey

May be well-trod territory, but worth a walk down the movie aisle.

Los Angeles Times Betsy 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?

Washington Post Ann 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.

Variety Brian 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.

Chicago Reader Andrea Gronvall

Director Anne Fletcher delivers more bite and brisker pacing than she did with "27 Dresses."

New York Post Lou Lumenick

Shamelessly derivative, contrived and predictable, The Proposal is nonetheless a crowd-pleasing romantic comedy.

USA Today Claudia Puig

A serviceable and intermittently funny romance.

New Orleans Times-Picayune Mike 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.

Premiere Robert 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.

The New York Times Manohla Dargis

Ms. Bullock, who excels at playing spunky, is as appealing as usual, but the role proves as awkward as those heels.

TV Guide Perry Seibert

Bullock playing against type is the only original thing going on in the whole film.

ReelViews James Berardinelli

The Proposal follows a paint-by-numbers script, it fails one key acid test: it doesn't sell the romance.

Village Voice Robert Wilonsky

You know every tinny beat and false note by heart, from the implausible setup to the sprint-to-the-airport finish.

Austin Chronicle Kimberley 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.

The Onion (A.V. Club) Keith Phipps

It's the material that stinks, failing to give even an old pro like White more than a couple of modest laughs.

Chicago Tribune Michael Phillips

The Proposal reworks "Two Weeks Notice" with the genders switched.

San Francisco Chronicle Amy Biancolli

The premise of The Proposal is one big cliche.

Portland Oregonian M. 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.

Empire Ian Freer

Despite good moments and likable leads, this lacks both heart and humour in a confection that smacks of the over-familiar.

Salon.com Stephanie 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.

New York Daily News Elizabeth 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.

Boston Globe Wesley Morris

Neither (Bullock/Reynolds) brings out anything good in the other, and watching them try hurts the eyes, the tummy, and the libido.

Wall Street Journal Joe 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.

Rolling Stone Peter Travers

A romantic comedy so numbing it feels like Novocaine.

Baltimore Sun Michael 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."

Christian Science Monitor Peter Rainer

Monumentally unromantic.