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 mid-range budget of $40.0M, The Proposal became a runaway success, 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) exemplifies meticulously timed dramatic framework, characteristic of Anne Fletcher's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-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 arrives at work as a feared, powerful executive editor at a New York publishing house. Employees scatter and warn each other of her arrival—she is successful but isolated, feared rather than loved.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 13 minutes when Margaret learns she is being deported to Canada because her visa has expired. Facing the loss of everything she's built, she impulsively announces that she and Andrew are engaged to prevent deportation.. 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 27 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This shows the protagonist's commitment to Margaret and Andrew board the plane to Sitka, Alaska—Margaret actively chooses to enter Andrew's world and leave her comfort zone of New York behind. This is the point of no return for the fake engagement scheme., moving from reaction to action.
At 54 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Notably, this crucial beat At Gammy's surprise birthday party, Andrew publicly proposes to Margaret with the family heirloom ring, and the family celebrates joyously. Margaret experiences genuine acceptance and belonging for the first time—a false victory as the deception deepens., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 81 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, At the wedding ceremony, Margaret stops the proceedings and confesses the truth to everyone—the engagement was fake, done to avoid deportation. She apologizes to the family for the deception and announces she's leaving. The dream of belonging dies as she walks away alone., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 87 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 81% of the runtime. Andrew realizes he truly loves Margaret and races to the airport. His father Joe, having witnessed real love, gives Andrew his blessing and reconciles with him. Andrew chooses love over safety, flying to New York to find her., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Proposal's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs a 15-point narrative structure framework that maps key story moments. 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 Bad Guys, Ella Enchanted and The Evening Star. For more Anne Fletcher analyses, see Hot Pursuit, The Guilt Trip.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Margaret Tate arrives at work as a feared, powerful executive editor at a New York publishing house. Employees scatter and warn each other of her arrival—she is successful but isolated, feared rather than loved.
Theme
Andrew mentions to a coworker that Margaret has "no family, no friends, no life"—stating the thematic question of whether career success without human connection is truly fulfilling.
Worldbuilding
We see Margaret's ruthless professional world: she fires an employee without remorse, dominates meetings, and treats Andrew as her servant. Andrew is established as her overworked, ambitious assistant who dreams of becoming an editor but is trapped under her control.
Disruption
Margaret learns she is being deported to Canada because her visa has expired. Facing the loss of everything she's built, she impulsively announces that she and Andrew are engaged to prevent deportation.
Resistance
Margaret blackmails Andrew into the fake engagement by promising him a promotion to editor. They must convince a skeptical immigration officer, Mr. Gilbertson, that their relationship is real. Andrew reluctantly agrees but sets conditions, including that they visit his family in Alaska for the weekend.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Margaret and Andrew board the plane to Sitka, Alaska—Margaret actively chooses to enter Andrew's world and leave her comfort zone of New York behind. This is the point of no return for the fake engagement scheme.
Mirror World
Margaret meets the Paxton family—including the warm, welcoming Grandma Annie (Gammy), Andrew's mother Grace, and his disapproving father Joe. This world of family warmth and unconditional love is everything Margaret lacks and secretly needs.
Premise
The "fish out of water" comedy unfolds as Margaret navigates small-town Alaska: she's attacked by an eagle, must share a bedroom with Andrew, participates in family activities, and slowly begins to see Andrew and his world differently. The family embraces her despite her awkwardness.
Midpoint
At Gammy's surprise birthday party, Andrew publicly proposes to Margaret with the family heirloom ring, and the family celebrates joyously. Margaret experiences genuine acceptance and belonging for the first time—a false victory as the deception deepens.
Opposition
Complications mount: Gertrude the stripper appears at the bachelorette party, Margaret and Andrew's genuine feelings grow complicated, Andrew's father Joe pressures him to take over the family business, and the lies become harder to maintain. Margaret learns about Andrew's estrangement from his father and his abandoned dreams.
Collapse
At the wedding ceremony, Margaret stops the proceedings and confesses the truth to everyone—the engagement was fake, done to avoid deportation. She apologizes to the family for the deception and announces she's leaving. The dream of belonging dies as she walks away alone.
Crisis
Margaret returns to New York alone, packing her office to leave the country. Andrew remains in Alaska processing what happened. Both realize they've lost something real in the midst of the fake relationship—Margaret faces deportation and isolation, Andrew faces the emptiness of his "victory."
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Andrew realizes he truly loves Margaret and races to the airport. His father Joe, having witnessed real love, gives Andrew his blessing and reconciles with him. Andrew chooses love over safety, flying to New York to find her.
Synthesis
Andrew arrives at the office and publicly declares his love for Margaret. After initial resistance born from her fear of vulnerability, Margaret admits she loves him too. They kiss as the entire office watches, merging her professional world with genuine human connection.
Transformation
Margaret and Andrew kiss in the office, surrounded by applauding coworkers. The woman who was feared and isolated is now loved and connected. She has transformed from someone who used people to someone capable of genuine love and vulnerability.