The Proposal: Character Breakdown

Margaret Tate
Margaret Tate, played by Sandra Bullock, is a high-powered, hard-working Canadian book editor working for a prestigious New York publishing company. Work is her life, and she knows exactly what she wants and how to get it, so when it comes to figuring out a way to escape her imminent deportation, she has no trouble coming up with a plan of avoidance. Unfortunately for Margaret, her incredible work ethic and leadership do not compensate for her social ineptness. When she coerces and blackmails Andrew (Ryan Reynolds) to marry her, she has no idea that she will be forced to spend a weekend meeting his family in secluded Alaska. Through awkward family introductions and uncomfortable family outings, Margaret is forced to deny her reclusive tendencies and project excitement and love, all the while dodging immigration calls and visits and keeping her little dark secret under wraps.

Andrew Paxton
Andrew Paxton, played by Ryan Reynolds, is the meek, yet determined assistant to Margaret. With the patience of a saint, Andrew works hard to do whatever he can for Margaret in the hopes that she might one day promote him to editor. Whether it be drinking the same coffee drink in case he spills one, giving up his vacation time, or making midnight tampon runs, Andrew never ceases to sacrifice in order to appease “Satan’s Mistress.”  Fortunately for Andrew though, his willingness to blindly comply does not come without intelligence. When Margaret tries to coerce him into marrying him to avoid deportation, he agrees, but not without a set of stipulations of his own. By his own wit and manipulation, he overcomes his submissive nature and finally speaks up to secure his own wants and desires.