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Bullock and Reynolds are a lot of fun to watch, playing off one another perfectly. As Drew's functionally dysfunctional family, supporting players Craig T. Nelson and Mary Steenburgen bring a delightful depth to their roles, with Betty White's Gammy offering comic relief that transcends cliché.

The Proposal represents a welcome departure from the cynicism and blatant sexuality that have marked too many recent romantic comedies. It's a silly premise, but the emotional honesty and fine comedy make you remember that realism isn't always what it's cracked up to be.

Talk About It

1. Why would a fake marriage be so devastating for a family?
   
   
2. Have you ever kept a secret in order to gain an advantage or get out of a responsibility?
   
   
3. Why is marriage too important to take lightly?
   
   

The Family Corner

The Proposal is rated PG-13 for sexual content, nudity and language. The nudity refers to a scene where the main characters accidentally crash into each other while naked; while no genitalia is shown, the camera lingers a bit too long here, especially on Bullock. Sexual content also includes a male striptease at a bachelorette party; it's played up for humor/grotesquerie, not arousal, but again, the camera lingers too long. Language includes some four-letter words and a couple uses of the Lord's name in vain, but overall is relatively mild for a PG-13 film. The family assumes and accepts that Margaret and Drew are having premarital sex.

Photos © Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

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