'Proposal' and 'Easy Virtue' jolly good fun

THE PROPOSAL

3 stars

Rated PG-13

Gorgeous Sandra Bullock ("Two Weeks Notice" and "Miss Congeniality") is teamed with hunk Ryan Reynolds ("Definitely, Maybe" and "National Lampoon's Van Wilder") in this funny and entertaining comedy.

Anne Fletcher ("27 Dresses") directs the cleverly written script by first-time screenwriter Peter Chiarelli.

Margaret Tate (Bullock) is a tyrannical editor-in-chief at a Manhattan publishing company. When she arrives at the office each morning, everyone looks busy after receiving the instant message "It's here!" Her assistant, Andrew Paxton (Reynolds), loathes his boss and refers to her as "Satan's mistress." She has tormented him for three years, but he has put up with her antics because he loves the publishing business. He has even written his own manuscript.

The plot is set in motion when Tate is informed that her visa application has been denied and she is being deported back to her native Canada. In order to extricate herself from this dire predicament, she concocts a bogus impending marriage to an unsuspecting Paxton. She convinces her flabbergasted assistant that his job is dependent on her staying with the company. He makes her get down on her knees to propose to him.

In exchange for his participation in this fraudulent and illegal act, he gets her to agree to promote him to editor and to immediately publish his book.

They must deceive an immigration agent (Tony Award winner Denis O'Hare from "Duplicity" and "Milk" who was born in Kansas City, Mo.) and convince him they are truly in love. Their first big test of credibility occurs when they fly to Alaska for an extended weekend to meet Paxton's eccentric family and friends.

The supporting cast includes Mary Steenburgen ("Joan of Arcadia") as Andrew's caring mother; Craig T. Nelson ("The District" and "Coach") as Andrew's aloof dad who wants his son to take over the family business; Betty White ("The Golden Girls" and "Boston Legal") as Andrew's spunky grandmother celebrating her 90th birthday; Malin Ackerman ("Watchmen" and "The Heartbreak Kid") as the college sweetheart Andrew left behind; and Oscar Nunez ("The Office") playing multiple hilarious roles in the small town of Sitka.

Bullock and Reynolds have great chemistry. Their charade forces them to share the same bedroom. They play the "getting to know you" game. They get to check each other out in various forms of undress.

Bullock is often the butt of the physical jokes in this fish-out-of-water scenario. She reveals more of her knockout body than in any previous movie. White is fabulous and steals every scene she appears in. Nunez makes an impression as a waiter, an exotic dancer and a justice of the peace.

The picturesque setting features snow-capped mountains, crystal-clear waters and tree-lined forests. Women who are secretaries or personal assistants will be especially delighted with the role reversals and the pleasure of seeing a bitchy boss get her comeuppance.

This crowd pleaser brings home the importance of having a loving family that cares deeply about your welfare. The movie zips by with a brisk pace that holds your interest while pushing all the right buttons. The "here comes the bribe" relationship between these two likable personalities mirrors that of an ice cream cone that starts off  freezing cold and then deliciously melts from the sizzling summer heat. Perfect for a date or a girls' night out.

EASY VIRTUE

3 stars

Rated PG-13

This satirical comedy with witty dialogue is jolly good fun. The screenplay is based on a 1925 Noel Coward play that humorously criticizes British upper crust aristocrats.

An impetuous marriage between John Whittaker (Ben Barnes), a young Englishman, and Larita (Jessica Biel), a sexy and glamorous American, sets the story in motion.

John takes Larita home to his mansion in the countryside to meet his parents and two sisters. His manipulative mother (Kristin Scott Thomas) rules the manor and takes an immediate dislike to this gold digging harlot who has stolen her prodigal son from the nursery. Their verbal battle of wills is the chief delight of this drawing room farce. An unshaven Colin Firth plays John's dad.

The movie for the most part adopts a light and comical tone. It makes an abrupt switch near the conclusion to a more dark and serious mood. The characters are well-developed as back stories emerge with buried secrets revealed.

Larita is a cougar who uses charm, intelligence and cleverness to snare the affection of her handsome boy toy hubby.

The title is a cutting remark made by Lady Whittaker that her new daughter-in-law is a sex-crazed female of loose morals who will jump in the sack with just about anyone at the drop of a hat.

The movie benefits from a snappy musical score with  familiar standout show tunes from Cole Porter. Other strengths are the period costumes, vintage cars and the luscious interior decorating. There is even a colorful fox hunt with everyone on horseback dressed to the nines.

Biel holds her own with the seamless acting chops of Firth and Thomas. Thomas was nominated for her supporting role by both the London Critics Circle and the British Film Awards. This tasty celluloid morsel zips by with a running time of 93 minutes that seems shorter considering how much entertainment is provided.

Now showing exclusively at AMC Studio 30 and Cinemark Palace on the Plaza.    

LEMON TREE

2 and a half stars

Not Rated

A Palestinian widow's life changes dramatically when the new Israeli Defense Minister moves next door to her on the other side of the green line border separating Israel from the West Bank.

Salma Zidane (Hiam Abbass from "The Visitor") is a poor, lonely woman who barely makes ends meet from the revenues generated by her lemons. Her father's blessed hands planted the seeds more than 50 years ago. A hand-delivered letter from the military commander of the region informs her that her lemon grove poses a threat to national security and must be cut down immediately. She is eligible for compensation.

This eminent domain action brings Salma to tears. She hires a young attorney to protest the uprooting of her beloved trees. The case proceeds through the legal pipeline all the way up to the Israeli Supreme Court in Jerusalem.

The vivid cinematography gives the viewer glimpses of scenic locations throughout Israel. This is a quiet and somber journey that allows lots of time for thought and reflection on the current state of affairs in the Middle East.

The movie doesn't resolve anything and leaves you with a frustrated view of the stalemate and the powerlessness to achieve a lasting peace.

A subplot of romantic feelings that develop between Salma and her lawyer is an unnecessary distraction. The movie also tries to contrast Salma's loneliness with the sense of isolation felt by the neglected wife of the Israeli Defense Minister.

Abbass gives a powerful performance and won the Israeli Academy Award for Best Actress.

The dialogue is in Arabic and Hebrew with short, easy-to-read subtitles. Now playing exclusively at the Glenwood Arts.

Top 5 Flick Picks

1. Every Little Step

2. Easy Virtue

3. The Proposal

4. The Hangover

5. Lemon Tree

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