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The Proposal

(2009, Rated PG-13, Comedy, Starring Sandra Bullock, Ryan Reynolds, Betty White)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 12, age appropriate for kids over 14; suggested age 14.
  • Is it any good?

    4.0
  • Common Sense says

    Bullock and Reynolds' chemistry propels charming romcom.

Themes in this movie include:   dating/crushes, honesty, peer pressure
updated 10.08.09

Why We Rated This on for Ages 14 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    Lessons about looking past the superficial.
  • Role models:

    Margaret treats employees poorly -- especially Andrew. She blackmailshim into marrying her, and he accepts. But as the movie goes forward,she realizes she can't do something so questionable. Andrew andMargaret both learn to look past each other's "covers" to unearth thereal person underneath. Andrew is a good role model as someone whodoesn't just use his family's money to live a life of entitlement butactually works hard for his accomplishments.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    In one scene, Margaret, who can't swim, falls into a lake and has to tread water for a few desperate seconds. The big "naked fall" scene is played for laughs, but it had to hurt...
  • Sex:

    The main characters accidentally crash into each other while completely nude (lots of skin is glimpsed, but no uncovered sensitive body parts). In addition to that, there are a few kisses, scenes of a couple in bed, references to morning erections, and a comical sequence of a flabby exotic dancer's strip tease (he gets down to a male G-string and pumps his hips near a woman's face).
  • Language:

    Language includes "bitch," "ass," "damn," "s--t," "boobs," "hell," "oh my God," and "Jesus!"
  • Consumerism:

    Several brands featured, including Starbucks, Apple (Mac), Pringles, Pepsi, and Hostess.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Adults drink at a cocktail party and at a bar, where one character gets buzzed.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About The Proposal

Parents need to know that this charming romantic comedy starring Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds has a much talked-about scene in which the leads, both naked, accidentally crash into and fall down on top of each other. But since it's rated PG-13, all that's shown is a tumble of skin. There's also plenty of innuendo, as well as couple of passionate kisses and a comical scene featuring a flabby exotic dancer in a G-string. Language is the basic PG-13 variety ("ass," "bitch," and "s--t" are the main offenders), and there's some social drinking and product placement.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about how this movie compares to other romantic comedies. What do most Hollywood "romcoms" tend to have in common? How is this one different (if it is)?
  • Margaret isn't just Andrew's boss, but she's also clearly older thanhim. Is that a common scenario in romantic movies?
  • The movie's trailerprominently featured the "naked fall" scene. Did knowing about that gagmake the scene any less funny? In general, do you think trailers giveaway too much, or just enough?

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Our Members Say

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  • What did you think about The Proposal?
  •  I think this movie is

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See all 42 member reviews

Most Recent Reviews

  1. Kid Reviewer Age 12
    I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language

    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    Plot

    I think that this is a awesome movie.Sandra Bullock plays an amazing part as Margeret as she and Ryan Renolds pertnd to be a fake couple. Watch the movie and the hilarious parts that come with it

  2. I rate this title on for age 12 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use

    Great funny role model from ryan renolds

    Reyan renolds is a funny role model for the teen Boys.

  3. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Georgia
    I rate this title on for age 16 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language

    Great for adults - iffy for teenagers

    My husband and I loved this movie. There is nudity and some language so I wouldn't want my young kids to see it but we thought it was hilarious. I would watch again.

  4. Parent Reviewer
    I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content

    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages

    shortys review

    Iloved it but I would not recommend it for a 12 year old but I found it hysterical

  5. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 4.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages

    i think it is ok for 13 year olds,but no younger

    i love this movie...lol... it's really funny. i love you should watch it.

  6. I rate this title on for age 14 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language

    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages

    Loved It!

    My husband and I watched it just the other night. I thought it was really good. There was a little to much nudity for me but other then that I recommend the movie.

  7. Parent Reviewer
    I rate this title iffy for age 16 and give it 2.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Excessive consumerism
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use
    • Negative message
    • Negative role models

    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages

    Sad to see unnecessary nudity displayed. That and the language will keep me from buying it or ever watching it again. I was glad my husband and I watched it without children present.

  8. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    I rate this title on for age 12 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content

    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages

  9. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    I rate this title on for age 12 and give it 4.0

    Loved it!!

    Loved it!

  10. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    I rate this title on for age 11 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content

  11. Parent Reviewer
    I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content

    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages

    Just fine for older kids.

    A little too much semi-nudity for my taste. Wouldn't let younger kids watch it. BUT, very very funny on the other hand. Teaches about being honest.

  12. I rate this title on for age 11 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content

    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    Awesome!!! sooooooo funny!!!!!!

  13. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    I rate this title on for age 14 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content

    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages

    Pretty funny and the grandma in the movie is hilarious. not very bad. the worst scene was the nude scene and it was very mild did not show anything. some pre-teens may not get some of the humor and it could get kinda boring for them

  14. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    Lives in California
    I rate this title on for age 12 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content

    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages

    I loved this movie, though I think anyone younger than 12 would be bored by the length. It was good, though the sexuality was a little strong for PG-13, and the language wasn't terrible. Also, you see Sandra Bullock's bare chest in the mirror, which is probably the only really bad part. The bachelorette stripper party is milder than Bride Wars (PG) so overall it really wasn't too bad.

  15. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Michigan
    I rate this title on for age 16 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive consumerism

    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages

    Funniest movie I've seen all year!

    This was absolutely hilarious with both physical and cerebral comedy. The "nude" scene didn't really show anything and fit appropriately into the plot line.

  16. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Michigan
    I rate this title on for age 16 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive consumerism

    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages

    Funniest movie I've seen all year!

    This was absolutely hilarious with both physical and cerebral comedy. The "nude" scene didn't really show anything and fit appropriately into the plot line.

  17. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    I rate this title iffy for age 12 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language

    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages

    Perfect for Twens and Teenagers!

    I thought it was super good! I loved it but i dont reccomend seeing it with your boyfriend can get akward! It's good n i loved it!

  18. Parent Reviewer
    Lives in Maryland
    I rate this title iffy for age 14 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Negative role models

    Okay for mid-teens, but definitely not tweens.

    "The Proposal" was a comical and sensitive movie, with scenes of romance, anger, awkwardness, and just plain hilarity. Though some of the themes (male strip tease) and language (sh-t) may be inappropriate for pre-teens, are nothing a mid-teen wouldn't know about. This movie was a great title, and I recommend seeing it when you are the proper age.

  19. Parent Reviewer
    Lives in Georgia
    I rate this title iffy for age 15 and give it 3.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Excessive consumerism
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use
    • Negative message

    The blackmailing, lies, priorities, and lack of respect were bad examples for anyone. This movie does show what having family can mean to an individual. Too much skin is shown in several scenes. Some Language, the male stripper and a reference to a morning erection are very inappropriate.

  20. Kid Reviewer Age 12
    Lives in Ohio
    I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language

    e.g. Perfect for older kids, but not for tweens

    I liked it and thought it was cute. One part in particular was a little inapropriate, but the rest was ok other than a few swear words.

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