The Proposal (2009 film)

The Proposal is a 2009 American romantic comedy film directed by Anne Fletcher and written by Peter Chiarelli. Produced by Kurtzman/Orci Productions, Mandeville Films, and Touchstone Pictures, it stars Sandra Bullock as a high-powered Canadian book editor facing deportation from the United States, and Ryan Reynolds as her assistant, whom she convinces to enter a sham engagement to maintain her visa status. The supporting cast includes Malin Åkerman, Craig T. Nelson, Mary Steenburgen, and Betty White.

Development began in 2005 when Chiarelli’s screenplay attracted the interest of Touchstone Pictures. Principal photography took place in Massachusetts and Alaska from April to May 2008. Incorporating conventions of the romantic comedy genre, the film blends workplace satire with family-centered storytelling and themes of identity and personal growth.

The Proposal premiered in the United States on June 19, 2009. It received mixed reviews from critics, who praised the lead performances and chemistry between Bullock and Reynolds but criticized its formulaic plot. The film emerged as a commercial success, grossing over $317 million worldwide on a $40 million budget, making it one of the highest-grossing romantic comedies of the 2000s. Bullock received a nomination for the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy.