The Proposal
When she learns she's in danger of losing her visa status and being deported, overbearing book editor Margaret Tate forces her put-upon assistant, Andrew Paxton, to marry her.
Despite a moderate budget of $40.0M, The Proposal became a commercial juggernaut, earning $317.4M worldwide—a remarkable 694% return.
7 wins & 20 nominations
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
The Proposal (2009) demonstrates deliberately positioned plot construction, characteristic of Anne Fletcher's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 11-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 48 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.5, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Margaret Tate storms through the New York publishing office as a feared, tyrannical editor-in-chief. Everyone scatters at her approach, establishing her as cold, controlling, and isolated in her power.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 13 minutes when Margaret learns she's being deported to Canada due to visa violations. Her career and life in New York are about to be destroyed. This external force disrupts her status quo completely.. At 12% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 26 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 24% of the runtime. This demonstrates the protagonist's commitment to Margaret and Andrew fly to Sitka, Alaska for his grandmother's 90th birthday weekend, committing to the charade in front of his family. This is their active choice to enter the "fake relationship world" together, crossing into Act 2., moving from reaction to action.
The Collapse moment at 80 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, At the wedding, overwhelmed by guilt and genuine love for Andrew's family, Margaret publicly confesses the engagement is fake before the immigration officer. She sacrifices everything to protect Andrew, accepting deportation. The dream dies., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 86 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 79% of the runtime. Andrew proposes authentically to Margaret, asking her to marry him "because I'd like to date you." Margaret, transformed, vulnerably admits her feelings and turns him down to free him from obligation, telling him to ask her out in a year. They resolve the lie with truth., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Proposal's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 11 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs structural analysis methodology used to understand storytelling architecture. By mapping The Proposal against these established plot points, we can identify how Anne Fletcher utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Proposal within the comedy genre.
Anne Fletcher's Structural Approach
Among the 3 Anne Fletcher films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 6.9, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. The Proposal takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Anne Fletcher filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Anne Fletcher analyses, see Hot Pursuit, The Guilt Trip.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Margaret Tate storms through the New York publishing office as a feared, tyrannical editor-in-chief. Everyone scatters at her approach, establishing her as cold, controlling, and isolated in her power.
Theme
Andrew's colleague warns him about Margaret: "She's a monster, but she's a successful monster." The theme of appearances versus authentic connection is planted—success without humanity is hollow.
Worldbuilding
We see Margaret's world of corporate control and Andrew's life as her overworked assistant who dreams of becoming an editor. Their dynamic is master-servant, with no warmth. Margaret's visa issues are hinted at, and Andrew's Alaskan family is mentioned.
Disruption
Margaret learns she's being deported to Canada due to visa violations. Her career and life in New York are about to be destroyed. This external force disrupts her status quo completely.
Resistance
Margaret desperately concocts a fake engagement to Andrew, forcing him to go along by threatening his career. Andrew debates, resists, but negotiates—demanding a promotion and his manuscript published. They prepare their story for immigration, awkwardly learning facts about each other.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Margaret and Andrew fly to Sitka, Alaska for his grandmother's 90th birthday weekend, committing to the charade in front of his family. This is their active choice to enter the "fake relationship world" together, crossing into Act 2.
Premise
The "fun and games" of the fake engagement: Margaret experiences Alaskan life, awkward family interactions, the strip club bachelorette, sleeping in the same room, and the forest ceremony with Ramone. Margaret softens as she experiences real family and community, while Andrew sees her vulnerability.
Opposition
Margaret learns about Andrew's painful family history and his abandoned dreams. She begins to truly care. But the lie intensifies—immigration investigator Gilbertson arrives to interrogate them. The fake relationship becomes harder to maintain as real feelings complicate everything. Andrew's father pressures him to stay in Alaska.
Collapse
At the wedding, overwhelmed by guilt and genuine love for Andrew's family, Margaret publicly confesses the engagement is fake before the immigration officer. She sacrifices everything to protect Andrew, accepting deportation. The dream dies.
Crisis
Margaret returns to New York alone, packing her office. Andrew reunites with his family but realizes he loves Margaret and doesn't want to stay in Alaska. Both process their loss separately, understanding what they truly want.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
Andrew proposes authentically to Margaret, asking her to marry him "because I'd like to date you." Margaret, transformed, vulnerably admits her feelings and turns him down to free him from obligation, telling him to ask her out in a year. They resolve the lie with truth.