When high-powered book editor Margaret (Sandra Bullock) faces deportation to her native Canada, the quick-thinking exec declares that she's actually engaged to her unsuspecting put-upon assistant Andrew (Ryan Reynolds), who she's tormented for years. He agrees to participate in the charade, but with a few conditions of his own. The unlikely couple heads to Alaska to meet his quirky family (Mary Steenburgen, Craig T. Nelson, Betty White) and the always-in-control city girl finds herself in one comedic fish-out-of-water situation after another. With an impromptu wedding in the works and an immigration official on their tails, Margaret and Andrew reluctantly vow to stick to the plan despite the precarious consequences.
This movie is beyond predictable. You have pretty much seen the movie just by watching the 2 minute trailer. There are no swerves or surprises. The characters are beyond cliche. However, I found myself laughing out loud a lot more than I expected. Even though the whole movie is completely textbook, Ryan Reynolds and Sandra Bullock played off of each other incredibly well. Ryan Reynolds plays the same role he always does and his line delivery was as perfect as always. Sandra Bullock returns to the kind of role that made her big in the first place and is definitely back where she belongs. Her going back and forth between being completely stoic, fighting off tears of sadness, and then being completely over the top silly was great.
I never thought I would say this going in, but I would definitely recommend this movie. Even though it is beyond formula it is a fun watch and a great date movie.