The Proposal (I) (2009)

Craig T. Nelson: Joe Paxton

Photos 

Quotes 

• Joe Paxton : [after Margaret's plane takes off]  What's wrong?

  Grace Paxton : Margaret's on that plane.

  Grandma Annie : And he didn't get to tell her!

  Joe Paxton : Tell her what?

  Grace Paxton : That he loves her.

  Grandma Annie : So she could tell him that she loves him too.

  Joe Paxton : Yeah but how does he...

  Grace Paxton : If she didn't love him, she wouldn't have left.

  Grandma Annie : Of course not.

  Joe Paxton : Am I the only one not getting this?

  Grace Paxton : Oh, Joe!

• Andrew Paxton : That's the hell of a first impression, Dad.

  Joe Paxton : What the hell, Andrew? You show up here after all this time with this woman you hated, and now she's your girlfriend?

  Andrew Paxton : We just got here. Can we wait two seconds before we throw the kitchen sink at each other?

  Joe Paxton : Just never figured you for a guy who slept his way to the middle.

  Andrew Paxton : Actually, I'll have you know that that woman in there is one of the most respected editors in town.

  Joe Paxton : She's your meal ticket, and you brought her home to meet your mother.

  Andrew Paxton : No, she's not my meal ticket, Dad. She's my fiancée.

  Joe Paxton : What'd you say?

  Andrew Paxton : You heard me. I'm getting married.

• Mrs. McKittrick : So I wanted to know, what does a book editor do?

  Joe Paxton : That's a great question, Louise. I'm curious to know the answer myself.

  Andrew Paxton : Hello, Dad.

  Joe Paxton : Son.

  [turns to Margaret] 

  Joe Paxton : This must be Maggie.

  Margaret Tate : Uh, Margaret.

  Joe Paxton : Joe. Pleasure to meet you.

  Margaret Tate : Pleasure's mine.

  Joe Paxton : So why don't you tell us exactly what a book editor does. Besides taking writers out to lunch and getting bombed.

  Mrs. McKittrick : Now that sounds like fun. No wonder you like being an editor.

  Joe Paxton : No, Louise. Andrew's not an editor, he's an editor's assistant. Maggie here is the editor.

  Margaret Tate : Margaret.

  Jim McKittrick : So you're actually... Andrew's boss. Yeah. Well. How about that.

  Joe Paxton : I think I'll get a refill.

  [walks off] 

  Margaret Tate : Charming.

• Andrew Paxton : You want to see me?

  Joe Paxton : Your mom found these eco-balls. They dissolve in water. I don't know how she comes up with this stuff. Anyway, she, uh... is a little peeved. Apparently, I wasn't the most gracious of hosts last night. It was a little bit of a shock to find out that you're getting married especially when none of us even knew you were dating. The point is... I owe you an apology.

  Andrew Paxton : Accepted.

  Joe Paxton : There's something else. I've been going over my retirement plans recently, and it got me thinking. I've done a lot of things in my life. Practically built an empire with your mother from the ground up. It doesn't mean anything unless...

  Andrew Paxton : Unless you have someone to leave it to. We already discussed this.

  Joe Paxton : I'd like to discuss it again. You have responsibilities here. I think I've been more than understanding about your goofing off in New York. I need you to quit playing around and come home.

  Andrew Paxton : Here we go again. When are you going to start taking what I do seriously?

  Joe Paxton : Well, when you start acting seriously.

  Andrew Paxton : I'm sorry. I feel sorry for you, Dad. I wish you had another son. I really do. One who wanted to stay here. One who wanted to take over the family business. One who wanted to marry someone that you approve of, but it's not me. Now, it must seem strange to you, my life in New York, sitting in an office, reading books. But it makes me happy. You understand?

  Joe Paxton : If that's what makes you happy, son, I got nothing to say.

  Andrew Paxton : Well, that's a first. You know what? Apology not accepted. Have fun out here.

• Grace Paxton : Why is Andrew out there hollowing out that old stupid canoe again?

  Joe Paxton : Well, maybe he's planning to escape. What?

  Margaret Tate : Uh... I am so tired. I think I'm gonna go upstairs, take a shower, wash off Ramone's coconut body oil.

  Grace Paxton : Sure.

  Margaret Tate : I had a great day today. Thank you.

  Grace Paxton : [to Joe]  What did you do?

  Joe Paxton : I didn't do anything, I mean... I just had a frank conversation with him about his future.

  Grace Paxton : Oh... Well, yeah. That's a good idea. That's a good idea, Joe, because he will never come back home now. He is my son. I only get to see him every three years because of you. Because of you. I've had enough. You are gonna be supportive of him marrying Margaret, and that is that. You know, if we're not careful, we are gonna end up in this great big house just you and me alone, you and me and everything that we're angry about, and God forbid that they should have a grandchild that we never get to see. You are going to fix this, Joe. I mean it. Fix it now.