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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 53 member reviews

Most Recent Reviews

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

    It's cute!

    Quite honestly, I LOVED this movie. It is a bit iffy with the whole naked scene and the bachelorette party, but anyone over 13 can handle it.

  2. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    I rate this title iffy for age 9 and give it 4.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Good role models

    perfect for tweens and adults

    i ahve not seen this movie but i guess it is good

  3. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    I rate this title iffy for age 9 and give it 4.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Good role models

    perfect for tweens and adults

    i ahve not seen this movie but i guess it is good

  4. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    Lives in Oklahoma
    I rate this title on for age 12 and give it 3.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages

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

    Great for teens 13+

    I loved this movie. It was really funny. The only part i would be concerned about for kids under 13 would be the brief nudity (only some skin shown... nothing too innapropriate.. well duh it's PG-13 not R) and some sexual references. Overall it was a great movie!

  6. Kid Reviewer Age 12
    I rate this title on for age 10 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language

    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages

    great!

    great movie! Im still laughing!!! great for kids and teens/familys made my fave list!

  7. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 4.0

  8. Parent Reviewer
    I rate this title on for age 14 and give it 3.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language

    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages

    Irrelevant Nudity

    I thought that the nudity was not relevant to this movie. The scene with the nudity go’s on too long. It would have been more enjoyable if that scene was shorter. It just made me feel uncomfortable. The language in the movie was also not needed and could have been substituted for other appropriate words to make the movie more appropriate while still being funny. Overall the movie was ok. It was funny in parts, and not in others.

  9. Parent Reviewer
    I rate this title iffy for age 15 and give it 2.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Negative message
    • Negative role models

    Weak movie with inappropriate parts.

    The main characters felt weak. Sandra Bullock should look for more roles where she can be herself rather than pretend to be a dim-witted, yet somehow successful woman. It just doesn't work. I particularly didn't appreciate the extended partial nudity scene, or the male dancer scene. Hair in front of nipples does not constitute covering as far as I'm concerned.

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

    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages

    FUNNY but a little too much language!

    SOOOOO funny, a little inappropriate for ages under 13. Very funny for teens, and adults though.

  11. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    I rate this title on for age 12 and give it 4.0

    Loved it!

    I like really loved this movie and i laughed really hard. It is definitely a movie to watch with your friends and there is really nothing sad in it at all. =) Plus, that guy was kind of hawt

  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

  13. 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.

  14. 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.

  15. 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

  16. 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.

  17. 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.

  18. 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.

  19. 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

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

    Loved it!!

    Loved it!

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