Nick Moran is a paranoid undercover cop, with Jennifer Esposito as his fake wife, brought into the investigation of a dangerous crime boss so he doesn't blow his cover. The two play off each other, at first bickering incessantly, until eventually a romantic attraction develops. All of this happens while they are attempting to tape incriminating evidence on gangster Stephen Lang. The acting by Moran, Esposito, and especially Lang, is good, and the twisty script has a few surprises. There are also some welcome moments of humor in the film. The only problem is , we have a movie without an acceptable ending. The finale is rushed, with unrealistic gun play, and tries for too many twists that just don't work. "The Proposal" is entertaining, if you can look beyond the flawed conclusion. - MERK
10 Reviews
Good entertainment for free.
DougInNC18 August 2009
Nick Moran does well in this role, a consistent and believable element in a movie with a few twists and turns. You can relax with this movie for an evening, but if you're paying for this as a rental then you might do better to see Nick Moran in "Silent Partner." An episode of Miami Vice probably has a better way of mixing the good guys, bad guys, local police, and feds or FBI. The characters in this film make good sense and you could expect to find people like them, but character development is not very strong except for that of Nick Moran's character, Terry Martin. Jennifer Esposito as Susan Reece enters the stage with a dash of freshness, shows signs of that character trait at times, but doesn't really have a believable role. Don't blame the actress - the writers and director could have done better with her skill and the role. Not a bad movie, but not gripping, either.
Good Romance, terrific story , interesting plot, great entertainment!!!
Chris-62512 February 2002
I caught this show on HBO not too long ago and it didn't disappoint me at all. The story of this cop show was well-written; it has some interesting twists along the way and some good romance which makes the show more appealing to viewers.
The main plot of this movie is about an undercover cop who was joined unwillingly by another policewoman halfway through his investigation. As the show progresses, romance build up between both of them and besides just having to conceal their true identities, they are trying to bring the villains to justice until.........
I feel that the greatest contributions to the show were the characters that were very well-developed thanks to the wonderful writers and casts. Nick Moran and Jennifer Esposito look great together and Stephen Lang portrayed his role of the villain very well.
The directing of this movie was remarkable but it is truly the characters and plot that keep people watching.
The main plot of this movie is about an undercover cop who was joined unwillingly by another policewoman halfway through his investigation. As the show progresses, romance build up between both of them and besides just having to conceal their true identities, they are trying to bring the villains to justice until.........
I feel that the greatest contributions to the show were the characters that were very well-developed thanks to the wonderful writers and casts. Nick Moran and Jennifer Esposito look great together and Stephen Lang portrayed his role of the villain very well.
The directing of this movie was remarkable but it is truly the characters and plot that keep people watching.
Better than your typical direct-to-video cop thriller
patbuddha26 May 2003
All of the warning signs are there from frame one: an opening sequence that intercuts between shots of the movie and the credits on a black screen, mobsters fresh out of movie mobster school, and unnecessary cross dissolves from one scene to the next. And then of course there are the fellow police officers who yell at one another most of the time, whether it be the captain admonishing the hero for taking too much time on the case or the hero and his new partner who don't see eye to eye.
I figured at the very least if I stuck around, I would be treated to some gratuitous nudity courtesy of the beautiful Jennifer Esposito. Unfortunately that didn't happen, yet I found myself being absorbed by the developing relationship between her character and the undercover cop played by Nick Moran.
There are some nice moments that elevate the film above its direct-to-video trappings. A scene where Esposito places a banana to her ear as if it were a phone has such a genuineness and spontaneity that it doesn't come off as a cheap attempt at humor but as an actual moment involving real people.
The two leads deserve a lot of credit for making this movie what it is. Nick Moran has a certain star quality, a charisma that holds the viewer with him. He gives everything he has in this performance, particularly midway through the film when his psyche is tortured after having been forced to assassinate an enemy of the mobster he's trying to bring down. It's almost as if he didn't get the memo letting him know that this was direct-to-video garbage and that he really need not try so hard. Fortunately for the film and the viewer he does.
I figured at the very least if I stuck around, I would be treated to some gratuitous nudity courtesy of the beautiful Jennifer Esposito. Unfortunately that didn't happen, yet I found myself being absorbed by the developing relationship between her character and the undercover cop played by Nick Moran.
There are some nice moments that elevate the film above its direct-to-video trappings. A scene where Esposito places a banana to her ear as if it were a phone has such a genuineness and spontaneity that it doesn't come off as a cheap attempt at humor but as an actual moment involving real people.
The two leads deserve a lot of credit for making this movie what it is. Nick Moran has a certain star quality, a charisma that holds the viewer with him. He gives everything he has in this performance, particularly midway through the film when his psyche is tortured after having been forced to assassinate an enemy of the mobster he's trying to bring down. It's almost as if he didn't get the memo letting him know that this was direct-to-video garbage and that he really need not try so hard. Fortunately for the film and the viewer he does.
I've got a proposal for Gale. Get a real job.
=G=30 November 2002
"The Proposal" tells of an undercover cop (Moran), somewhere in some city investigating some bad guys who are doing something...um, something bad no doubt because they laugh at bad things and look bad...that' s how we know they're bad. Said cop needs a "wife" as an excuse to keep underworld meetings short. Enter Esposito...a cop with a desk job who goes undercover, but not under the covers, as the wife. Bottom line (drum roll, please) the good guys win. Yea! A typical lackluster, no-brainer B-movie cop flick with some Maxwell Smart techno-gun thingy thrown in, and an obvious lack of the "juice" required for car crashes/chases, stunts, explosions, sex/nudity..oh yeah...and REHEARSALS. With a very tame R-rating for a couple of shootouts, "The Proposal" ignors the Hollywood maxim "When in doubt, titillate", fails to deliver anything substantial, and doesn't work well on any level except late night t.v. when the viewer is too tired to care. (D+)
Note - The only place you'll see Esposito's thigh is on the box. And what the hell did they go to Scotland for?? Bad weather in Vancouver? One more piece of advice. When in a shootout, don't hide behind cardboard cartons. Duh.
Note - The only place you'll see Esposito's thigh is on the box. And what the hell did they go to Scotland for?? Bad weather in Vancouver? One more piece of advice. When in a shootout, don't hide behind cardboard cartons. Duh.
Haphazardly-thrown together...
dwpollar3 August 2002
1st watched 8/3/2002 - 3 out of 10(Dir-Richard Gale): Haphazardly-thrown together good cop/bad cop/undercover agent thriller that seems to change from one second to the next as far as what direction it wants to go. The main stars are ok in their roles, but their roles are so confusing I'm sure it was difficult for them to get a grasp on who their character was from one minute to the next so I don't really blame them. I blame the director and screen-writer because of the very choppy way this movie seems to have been put together. They never really seem to know what they want to do and focus on(the action, the sex, the complex plot - they needed to pick one and they didn't). The movie is about an undercover cop which then becomes about his partner, then about the bad guy, then the FBI, etc. I really think I need to be done here. Goodbye, enough said. Rent something else if you want to watch a good movie.
The Proposal both contains surprises and is a surprise.
steveo-imdb23 August 2004
The Proposal both contains surprises and is a surprise. The story is suspenseful and tight, acting solid, and direction skilled, all better than I had been expecting. Undercover cop Terry Martin (Nick Moran) and his new partner Susan Reese (Jennifer Esposito) infiltrate a crime lord's underground operation. But Reese, anxious to leave her desk job behind, pushes too quickly to get close to Big Boss Simon Bacig (Stephen Lang), and soon Martin doesn't know who he can trust. Figuring out exactly who is on whose side rapidly becomes an intriguing puzzle for the viewer.
The believable acting and storyline plus lack of any significant plot holes are a refreshing change from what Hollywood often churns out. This film won't insult your intelligence with gratuitous violence, unbelievable gun fights or unwarranted car chases; the R rating probably should have been PG-13. Esposito seems genuine and comfortable in front of the camera. Unfortunately Moran's performance is marred by what I assume to be a speech impediment of the actor ("wobbewy in pwogwess"), which distracts at times. Lang is convincing as the crime boss with an inflated ego who is used to getting whatever he wants. You'll recognize character actor William Davis who plays FBI Agent Gruning with an understated appeal. An interesting mix of flashbacks and flashforwards from director Richard Gale will taunt you with clues about the mystery.
No, this movie is not without weaknesses. Until Esposito can smooth out her New York accent, she'll be relegated to playing either ethnic or tough girl roles, otherwise she has the looks and talent for more significant acting jobs. Setting and filming the movie in New York or Chicago, rather than some unnamed generic city, would have added authenticity. The background music could have been better. Still, definitely worth a view, especially if you are fond of the genre.
The believable acting and storyline plus lack of any significant plot holes are a refreshing change from what Hollywood often churns out. This film won't insult your intelligence with gratuitous violence, unbelievable gun fights or unwarranted car chases; the R rating probably should have been PG-13. Esposito seems genuine and comfortable in front of the camera. Unfortunately Moran's performance is marred by what I assume to be a speech impediment of the actor ("wobbewy in pwogwess"), which distracts at times. Lang is convincing as the crime boss with an inflated ego who is used to getting whatever he wants. You'll recognize character actor William Davis who plays FBI Agent Gruning with an understated appeal. An interesting mix of flashbacks and flashforwards from director Richard Gale will taunt you with clues about the mystery.
No, this movie is not without weaknesses. Until Esposito can smooth out her New York accent, she'll be relegated to playing either ethnic or tough girl roles, otherwise she has the looks and talent for more significant acting jobs. Setting and filming the movie in New York or Chicago, rather than some unnamed generic city, would have added authenticity. The background music could have been better. Still, definitely worth a view, especially if you are fond of the genre.
Uniquely satisfying and original in a subtle manner
bworas20 October 2002
"The Proposal" turned out to be a very pleasant surprise not simply for what it was, but what it wasn't. Amazingly, there are no cliches in this relatively low budget suspence/drama work. Most notable is the camerawork, with not a single pedestrian sequence of shots. Subtly original, these camera angles serve to nicely parallel the storyline which is unpredictable in both its direction and its mood. The audience, as a result, must give its full attention throughout this film or risk losing its bearings. Those who watch this film closely will be rewarded not only with a stimulating storyline, but the opportunity to experience some superbly interesting and well developed charactors as well. For those who appreciate the nuances of filmmaking, this is a must see.
Well written, great characters
supamatt2 August 2000
This film takes a familiar storyline and gives it a few interesting twists. I think that it is the characters and the script that make this movie as good as it is.
The story is about an undercover detective (Moran) who leads a paranoid existence, constantly vigilant against being found out for who he really is. In order to keep his cover intact, he reluctantly accepts a new partner (Esposito) who has no undercover training and who may eventually put him in jeopardy.
The Proposition takes you into the personal life of a detective who has been under for several months and the lengths he goes through to establish his identity as well as watch his own back.
The film's antagonist, Simon Bacig (Lang) is great. He is a villain's villiain who plays dangerous, vain, and eccentric, all without going over the top.
Great direction and script give this movie dimension and depth that allow you to get in touch with the characters and keep you hooked as you await the final outcome (which I guarantee, you won't be able to guess).
The story is about an undercover detective (Moran) who leads a paranoid existence, constantly vigilant against being found out for who he really is. In order to keep his cover intact, he reluctantly accepts a new partner (Esposito) who has no undercover training and who may eventually put him in jeopardy.
The Proposition takes you into the personal life of a detective who has been under for several months and the lengths he goes through to establish his identity as well as watch his own back.
The film's antagonist, Simon Bacig (Lang) is great. He is a villain's villiain who plays dangerous, vain, and eccentric, all without going over the top.
Great direction and script give this movie dimension and depth that allow you to get in touch with the characters and keep you hooked as you await the final outcome (which I guarantee, you won't be able to guess).
First-rate thriller
outlier23 March 2003
This movie is about Terry Martin (Nick Moran), a neurotic undercover cop who
finds himself in a sticky predicament. Martin is investigating Simon Bascig
(Steven Lange), a very charming, intelligent, and mildly psychotic underworld figure. To prevent himself from blowing his cover, Martin claims to have a high maintenance wife that keeps him from socializing after work. This ruse works for a while, but Bascig presses Terry to bring his wife to a social gathering. The problem: Martin has no wife, real or undercover. Enter Susan Reese (Jennifer Esposito), a cop with no undercover experience, but a lot of ambition, smarts, and beauty. Reese accompanies Terry to Bascig's party and Bascig falls for
her. Much to Martin's chagrin, Reese becomes a part of the investigation. From here, the movie unfolds into a first-rate thriller wrought with intrigue as we see...
This moving is great! The story is fresh and original, striking a nice balance between character development and action. Great acting by Esposito, Lange
and Moran. I especially love Lange's performance: the right amount of bravado and psychotic. The cinematography is crisp and does a nice job fueling the
mood of the story. The director, Richard Gale, does an excellent job bringing the story to life, which is especially impressive given that the movie was made under the smallest of budgets and shot over just a few weeks. By the way, all this information, and a whole lot more, is found in the director's well-done
commentary. Gale gives us insight into all the behind the scenes tricks as well as his reasoning for scenes. This part of the DVD is a must watch, especially for directors working under similar circumstances.
finds himself in a sticky predicament. Martin is investigating Simon Bascig
(Steven Lange), a very charming, intelligent, and mildly psychotic underworld figure. To prevent himself from blowing his cover, Martin claims to have a high maintenance wife that keeps him from socializing after work. This ruse works for a while, but Bascig presses Terry to bring his wife to a social gathering. The problem: Martin has no wife, real or undercover. Enter Susan Reese (Jennifer Esposito), a cop with no undercover experience, but a lot of ambition, smarts, and beauty. Reese accompanies Terry to Bascig's party and Bascig falls for
her. Much to Martin's chagrin, Reese becomes a part of the investigation. From here, the movie unfolds into a first-rate thriller wrought with intrigue as we see...
This moving is great! The story is fresh and original, striking a nice balance between character development and action. Great acting by Esposito, Lange
and Moran. I especially love Lange's performance: the right amount of bravado and psychotic. The cinematography is crisp and does a nice job fueling the
mood of the story. The director, Richard Gale, does an excellent job bringing the story to life, which is especially impressive given that the movie was made under the smallest of budgets and shot over just a few weeks. By the way, all this information, and a whole lot more, is found in the director's well-done
commentary. Gale gives us insight into all the behind the scenes tricks as well as his reasoning for scenes. This part of the DVD is a must watch, especially for directors working under similar circumstances.
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