Failure to Launch is a light hearted and very enjoyable romantic comedy starring Matthew McConaughey and Sarah Jessica Parker. The story follows the traditional romcom format but does so in a way that provides plenty of genuine laughs and somehow seems fresh and vital despite being very familiar.
Tripp (McConaughey) is a successful thirty-something man, good at his job, good social life, attractive to the opposite sex – but there’s a big problem. He still lives at home with his mum and dad. Well, his parents see this as a problem, but he doesn’t – he knows where his bread is buttered, you see. Enter Paula (Parker) who is employed by Tripp’s parents (played by Terry Bradshaw and Kathy Burke) to get him to move out. What she does is simulate a romantic relationship with the man in question, and goes through various stages that end up in him building his self-esteem to the point of moving out on his own (presumably to then have his world torn apart by her disappearing from his life). Of course, though things start out well with Tripp, she soon finds herself breaking all of her own rules…
Noticing this and not too impressed is her extremely weird housemate Kit (Zooey Deschanel), who is even less impressed when she meets two of Tripp’s friends, Ace (Justin Bartha [National Treasure, but he’s much better in this]) and Demo (Bradley Cooper). They all become embroiled in the plot however when things go from bad to worse for Paula, but not necessarily for the reasons she expects… and what has Tripp’s nephew got to do with this?
The main couple work well together and have good chemistry, and they are ably assisted by the supporting cast. There is plenty to like about the film and plenty to dislike if you try – one of the plot twists is rather ridiculous, there is too much reliance on slapstick in a few scenes, and the subsidiary characters could have been explored more, and overall it’s a bit obvious. On the other hand, really all the film tries to do is be funny and entertaining – both of which it achieves consistently. There are a couple of good belly laughs to be had in the film along with a lot of chuckles, and though it does touch on a few serious films it really is a very feel-good movie. Like a lot of romantic comedies, it really depends mostly on whether you like or loath the genre. Personally I thoroughly enjoyed Failure to Launch, it’s nothing special but it was funny, light viewing with a likeable cast, a good soundtrack, and high production values. Recommended to those who like romantic comedies in general and fans of McConaughey and Parker in particular.
Other Details
Rated PG-13 for sexual content, partial nudity and language. (UK rating: 12A)
Don’t get excited girls, Matthew McConaughey only takes his shirt off… (many times, admittedly, but only his shirt…)
Runtime: 97 min – about right
Soundtrack
· "Crazy Little Thing Called Love"
Written by Freddie Mercury
Performed by The 88
· "Hit The Road Jack"
Composed by Percy Mayfield
Performed by Ray Charles
· "Cruel to be Kind"
Performed by Nick Lowe
· "Rebel, Rebel"
Performed by David Bowie
· "Fresh Feeling"
Performed by The Eels
Quotes
Tripp is told that he is an aberration of nature, and nature is attacking him…
"You're the only person I know of to be bitten by a chipmunk, a dolphin, and a vegetarian lizard in one calendar year."
Kit on her social life:
"A bunch of my co-workers are going to out to eat at T.G.I. Friday's and I didn't go because I don't really like T.G.I. Friday's and, well, I don't really like my co-workers."
Product DetailsOriginal Title:Failure to Launch (Special Collector's Edition) (Widescreen)Actors: Bradley Cooper - Justin Bartha - Matthew McConaughe...More at iNetVideo.com
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