Sandra Bullock vehemently denied The Proposal is a romantic comedy, labelling it instead a screwball comedy in the vein of those jewels of the 1930s and 40s starring Cary Grant and Kate Hepburn.
This gave pause for thought about exactly what is the modern day difference between the two genres.
After some consideration (and some judicious Googling) it seems the defining difference is a 'rom com' remains, at heart, a romance with a few laughs along the way, whereas a screwball comedy has you laughing pretty much the whole way through - more of a date movie with something for both sides of the gender fence rather than a dedicated chick flick.
Read more film and theatre reviews In that, I feel Bullock hit the nail on the head with this film, directed by Anne Fletcher (27 Dresses).
The mixed-sex audience at the packed Sunday night screening of the film thoroughly enjoyed this briskly paced, laugh-out-loud comedy.
Even the group of lads who sauntered in late and were smartly accused of being in the wrong cinema at the beginning of the film were well-behaved, aka, entertained.
This is in large part thanks to perennially likeable Van Wilder star Ryan Reynolds, who brings backbone and manliness to the role of the long suffering yet doggedly ambitious editorial assistant slaving under Bullock's Miranda Priestly-esque book editor.
Comparisons between those two films are inevitable and rather than deny the template already created, this film borrows happily from the opening scene of The Devil Wears Prada, with Bullock sweeping into her New York office in four inch heels with the lofty attitude to boot.
Off the back of a major publishing coup, high flying editor-in-chief and Canadian native Margaret Tate (Bullock) is unexpectedly informed her visa has expired and she is about to be shipped off back to Toronto.
In desperation, she threatens to sack her assistant and aspiring author Andrew Baxter if he doesn't agree to a sham marriage.
After a meeting with immigration officials fails to convince the authorities they are a couple madly in love, Margaret and Andrew are given the weekend to announce their engagement to his quirky family and learn everything about one another before they undergo investigation.
Cue trip to an impressively scenic Alaskan island village and ensuing chaos as the New York publishing princess meets the rest of the Baxter clan.
While there are some great belly laugh moments, the true delights of the film are in the constant flow of witty one liners delivered by a cast of dab comic hands.
Betty White, of television's Golden Girls fame, is wonderful as the irrepressible and eccentric Gammy Annie, and Oscar Nunez's general store owner and exotic dancer Ramone is a hoot.
A lively and clever script, written by Peter Chiarelli, agile pacing and the natural flow of the leads make this film a delight to watch.
Reynolds and Bullock bounce easily off one another (quite literally in one hilarious post-shower scene) and the support cast is solid.
Some points had me wondering where scriptwriter Peter Chiarelli was going, but Fletcher has shown in the past just what a deft touch she has with light farce and keeps a rein on the silliness here.
Four stars
Stars: Sandra Bullock, Ryan Reynolds, Mary Steenburgen, Craig T. Nelson and Betty White.
Director: Anne Fletcher
Screening at Greater Union Shellharbour and Wollongong, Hoyts Warrawong, Gala Cinema.
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