The Proposal, Sandra Bullock’s first movie in two years opens today on a little over 3,000 screens. That is a mega wide release. We are talking big mainstream Hollywood film release numbers. I haven’t seen the film. I tried but couldn’t get invited to any screenings. So unlike most weeks I will be making the same decision with you as to whether to pay to see this film.
From my glancing at reviews (I don’t really read many anymore) the film is not getting great notices. But I remember that Sex and the City got a lot of crappy reviews as did Mamma Mia so I don’t necessarily go by reviews.
Here is what I am using to make my decision.
Con- On the surface (from the preview and commercials) the movie looks really stupid and regressive. Woman plays bitchy boss and forces her assistant to marry her so she doesn’t get deported to Canada. Yikes. It looks dreadful so much so when I saw the preview this past winter I wrote this post: What’s Up With Sandra Bullock’s Career?
But the press over the last couple of weeks, especially from Sandra Bullock has softened me.
Pro: Sandra Bullock. She’s still a woman who can open a film and she’s also been really honest about why she hasn’t been in a film in a while. The scripts have sucked. Not too many women are that honest. So major points to her.
This movie is easily going to make $20 million this weekend and that would be Bullock’s biggest opening yet. Disney and all the folks associated with the film are doing everything to convince the public that this is a “date movie” to bring in the guys and I think the message is working. If they could get a split of 50/50 or even 55/45 between women and men that would be a great sign that a movie that stars a woman can being in men.
Here’s what she had to say about romantic comedies:
…the 44-year-old actress now says she “can’t stand” romantic comedies because most of the scripts she reads from the genre are terrible and feature underdeveloped female characters. “I always read scripts and go, ‘I want to change the role of Sam to Samantha because it’s written better,’” (Wall Street Journal)
and
“They’re not funny, they’re not romantic, they’re not written well for women anymore,” she says, explaining her decision in typically no-bull fashion. “It was basically all crap. I did the last good one. I’m done.” (USA Today)
“This is basically a guy’s film,” says Ms. Bullock, who was an executive producer on the movie, “except I’m the guy.” (Wall Street Journal)
Pro: It’s directed by a woman — Anne Fletcher. A woman directing a film that is playing on over 3,000 screens. Extremely rare. Happens maybe once or twice a year. Fletcher might now be known for her romantic comedies but she’s ready for the straight comedies:
I want to do one of those movies because I know I can and they make me laugh. I want to be a woman who says, “Yeah, I made that movie.” But it would have to appeal to me. There are certain male-driven films that cross a line for me. I don’t know if I could put my name on it. (Forbes)
Pro: Betty White – the woman’s been in the business for 60 years. How can you not love her.
All the above does not say one thing about the content of the film. But then again how many times do you go see movies that stars men knowing all about it? Probably not too often. So for me, the pros — a woman star, AND a woman director — who actually like and respect each other have pushed me towards this film. This quote from Bullock in USA Today made me laugh out loud:
…they said, ‘Here’s this woman director we like, Anne Fletcher. Can she come and meet you?’ I met her and within five minutes, she said the word ‘vagina,’ and I’m like (her voice rising giddily), ‘I love her.’ “
I know I am a broken record on this but it is my job to remind you need to support films by and about women. We. just. do. I wish we lived in a world where they don’t need our help but they do. If this movie does $25 or $30 million that would be a great sign, even though sadly, it will still probably be dismissed as a fluke.
She’s the Boss (Wall Street Journal)
Something for the Ladies (Forbes)
Sandra Bullock is (bleeping) tired of romantic comedies (USA Today)
{ 30 comments… read them below or add one }
I saw a preview screening. And I think she’s right, she’s the guy in this film and it works. As lovely as Ryan Reynold’s abs are, I don’t enjoy him that much. Yet, in this movie, their chemistry made him fun to watch. Did I laugh, yes. Were they huge guffaws, no, but that didn’t really matter to me. Was it an enjoyable way to spend the evening? Yes. Were Betty White and the rest of the cast good. Oh, definitely.
Overall, I laughed, I didn’t notice the clock ticking my evening away and I walked out remembering why I adore Sandra Bullock.
I think she is a woman we should be supporting. She’s honest, talented, runs a successful production company in a difficult business and still comes across as someone you’d love to have lunch with.
If for no other reason that it’s Sandra Bullock, go. I think you might find that it’s really a nice light romantic comedy.
Melissa, you “couldn’t get invited to any screenings”???
What is up with that?
Thanks Melissa for the insightful (as always!) recap of why we should see this movie. Sandra Bullock is smart and funny and I look forward to seeing her in a romantic comedy that doesn’t make me cringe!
Kerri
I wholeheartedly agree on supporting womens films, directors, principal actors, etc. I’ll even go to support womens movies if I’ve read mediocre to bad reviews or no reviews at all, because we keenly know womens movies are critiqued (and excused away) much more harshly than typical ‘dick flicks’. If I’ve got the money, I slap it down at the box office enthusiastically, my little part in helping build more demand for women in the film industry.
Thanks for this post, Melissa. The movie didn’t look too appealing to me, nor do most romantic comedies these days. I so agree with her about how much better they were a decade ago. I’m a huge fan of all her movies from the 90s. These days the female characters are so bland and ditzy. I long for the more offbeat quirky characters Sandra and Julia used to play years ago
Actresses say that they don’t get good roles but my producers offered her an excellent script inspired by the story of a female trucker driving in Iraq for Halleburton. She at first responded but than passed feeling nervous about being in a film that had Iraq as a backdrop.
They got to take chances if they want to play good roles.
I might check this one out but I am definitely skipping her other rom com, All About Steve. I saw the trailer and it looked painfully stupid. Why doesn’t Sandra take a chance and do a gritty drama?
Sure, she’s the “guy” in the film… Except NO, SHE’S A FEMALE BOSS IN THE FILM. The way she is in the film ISN’T LIKE A GUY. It’s like a boss, a person, a woman in charge.
Sorry, I’m just a little sick of human qualities that men and women can both have labeled as “masculine” and “feminine” because it usually leaves me labeled as not a woman. Eff that.
Although in Hollywood terms, yes, I suppose she is playing the “male” role. Sigh.
OK, all that said, I saw a screening and the film rocks. It’s the type of romantic comedy (read: funny AND smart) we haven’t seen for a while in the U.S. Reflects currently types of people, has fun twists, makes you laugh. Ryan Reynolds, Sandra Bullock, and Betty White are all great.
I’m conflicted with my desire to support films for women and by women with my need not to support thus condone much of the crap that’s out there. The Kate Hudsons and Jennifer Anistons of Hollywood consistently churn out brainless dribble one after another and I refuse to put down my hard earned cash for either of them. However, I’ll be the first in line to see Bright Star, Precious, and Amelia when they make it to my local theater. Maybe I’m not as conflicted as I first thought. LOL
The Proposal has had a good Friday and is projected to make over $30 million this weekend. This could be Sandra Bullock’s best opening weekend of her career. I, for one, would be very happy to see this.
Melissa, because of your blog I now make a point to see women-centric films on opening weekend, which is why I saw “The Proposal” last night at the Palisades Mall in Nyack, NY. Thinking the 10:00 p.m. show would have plenty of seats, I took my time getting to the theater, and ended up sitting in the one-seater next to the open handicap spot. The theater was packed–and at least 40% male. There were actually groups of guys WITHOUT WOMEN.
I wasn’t expecting to love this movie, but it was fun, funny, and charming. I really DID love it, and so did everyone else in the theater.
“Why doesn’t Sandra take a chance and do a gritty drama?”
Check Sandra’s filmography. She’s done plenty of gritty dramas.
It took awhile, but, I like Sandra Bullock’s work. It took me by surprise while at home with a cold one day, when 2 1/2 weeks, the film with her and Hugh Grant came on. I laughed out loud and loved her parents storyline in it.
Practical Magic blew me away- loved it.
And
Crash sealed the deal- her talent and skill as an actor shined thru, clearly, on that one.
Miss Congeniality is actually one of my all time fave comedies!
Then to discover that she is an exec producer as well? Well hey, how many obvously feminist actresses are there working in the the industry?
Not enough.
I might go see this simply to support her career and a female director.
Away We GO with ALison Janney is before it on my list of must sees this month (but where oh where is it playing at a decent time?).
^Yep her production company is pretty successful, the George Lopez show has made her a crapload of money.
Sandra Bullock is a woman in the industry I have a great deal of admiration for. I’m really happy to see so many people chiming in that they love her work too, and are supporting her.
Annie- That’s good to hear that it was not just women. Looks like it’s going to be her biggest opening weekend ever.
Faye-
I totally agree with you. I am conflicted about seeing crappy movies about women just as I am conflicted about seeing crappy movies about men. But not all movies are good so both sexes should be alloswed to make crappy movies.
I saw Bright Star this week and all I can say is that it blew me away. Loved it.
Perry-
You are too funny. Guess I just wasn’t on the right list for this one.
Michelle-
I gotta get on whatever list you are on to get into screenings.
Melissa,
I’m sure you get into far more movies than I do. I’ve just been lucky lately, that’s all. Usually, I couldn’t get a ticket to save my life.
Thanks Melissa for pointing out why would she be supporting this movie. If we don’t support female driven films, the studios will not get the balls to make edgier female driven movies.
And I think the men will flock to this movie because Ryan Reynolds is really a draw for them. Hes a mans man, funny, good looking and yet approachable, and this is just the beginning of his career I think!
“So unlike most weeks I will be making the same decision with you as to whether to pay to see this film.”
This is some inside-baseball info you should’ve kept to yourself, because it makes you look hypocritical. Attending promo, press or WOM screenings does not contribute to a film’s gross in any way. (As a journalist, I am guilty of this often.) How can you preach that we have to go see every film made by a woman — even Nancy Meyers? She sets us back 10 years every time she points a camera at a lady — when you’re not TECHNICALLY doing it yourself?
^Hey, I liked Something’s Gotta Give! lol
Re: Nancy Meyers–I was 14 years old when “Baby Boom” came out, and it made a huge impression on me. For me, it wasn’t about the baby; it was about making it on your own terms. Nancy didn’t set me back ten years with that film, she inspired me to carve my own path.
I didn’t get to see the film yet, but am thrilled it opened so well!
@Faye: “The Kate Hudsons and Jennifer Anistons of Hollywood consistently churn out brainless dribble”
I agree with you on Kate Hudson, but I’ve been pleasantly surprised at Jennifer Aniston’s choices. Of the “Friends” cast, she’s the one in the most quality movies.
Melissa, you’re right both sexes should be allowed to make crappy films but I’m not going to support crappy films no matter the gender. LOL
Grrljock, eh I think out of the Friends cast Lisa Kudrow has the most quality film and tv work. Jennifer doesn’t take enough risks for my taste. She has essentially transferred Rachel Green to the big screen and for me there’s no reason to plop down $14 when I can watch the same character on my tv for free.
It is equally as important to support films in their second weekend so that they don’t plunge. If the film plunges everyone will then think it was a one week fluke. Word of mouth is looked at very closely and that is what the second weekend grosses is all about. This is a very tough second weekend because of Transformers. So all of you who haven’t seen The Proposal, go see it and skip Transformers.
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