This Is Where The Proposal Was Actually Filmed
The 2009 film "The Proposal" is a lighthearted romantic comedy that takes the fake-dating trope to all new heights. In this story, an executive editor named Margaret Tate (Sandra Bullock) forces her reluctant assistant, Andrew Paxton (Ryan Reynolds), to marry her in an effort to prevent her deportation. In addition to Bullock and Reynolds, the film features an all-star ensemble cast that includes Malin Akerman, Craig T. Nelson, Mary Steenburgen, and Oscar Nunez (via IMDb).
Perhaps most notably, the film also serves as a phenomenal showcase of entertainment legend Betty White's comedic prowess. In fact, the set of "The Proposal" is reportedly where Ryan Reynolds' and Betty White's epic friendship began (via Insider). Reynolds is more of an action hero nowadays, but "The Proposal" allowed him the opportunity to demonstrate his signature deadpan delivery. Trust us, if you're a fan of Reynolds, the bloopers from "The Proposal" will make you love him even more.
Although several scenes in the film take place in New York City, the majority of the movie is set in a small town in Alaska called Sitka. "The Proposal" features plenty of shots of characters wandering around Sitka and the beautiful nature surrounding the Paxton family home. Considering the awe-inspiring visuals throughout the film, many viewers may find themselves wondering if the movie was really filmed in Alaska.
The Proposal was filmed in several states, but not Alaska
"The Proposal" was filmed in several locations across the United States, but Alaska was not one of them. Numerous towns in Massachusetts, including Rockport, Gloucester, Beverly, Boston, and Manchester-by-the-Sea, were utilized as substitutes for Sitka. For example, some readers may wonder about the exact location of the house that serves as the setting for much of the film. Although this beautiful home is said to be placed in a very remote part of Alaska, it is actually located in Manchester-by-the-Sea, Massachusetts (via Between Naps on the Porch).
Interestingly, the area around the home is not quite the same as portrayed in the movie either. The Myopia Hunt Club in South Hamilton, Massachusetts, doubles as the woods behind Andrew's house, and the Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden in Arcadia, California, houses the barn where Andrew and Margaret's wedding is held. Additionally, several interior scenes were filmed on sound stages at Walt Disney Studios in Burbank, California, and some locations in Newport, Rhode Island, were also used (via IMDb).
One filming location that stayed mostly true to the narrative is New York City. The scene where Margaret proposes to Andrew was shot on a bustling street corner in the Big Apple. To be exact, the scene was filmed on the street outside of 26 Federal Plaza in Manhattan. Early on in the film, viewers see Margaret walking up a busy thoroughfare, which is actually Church Street and Chambers Street in Manhattan. However, many of the urban scenes featuring Reynolds were shot in Boston. For example, the Starbucks that Andrew visits early on in the film is located on the corner of State Street and Merchants Row (via On the Set of New York).
If you think about it, it's actually pretty impressive that filmmakers were able to primarily use East Coast locations to successfully portray a small Alaskan town.