FAILURE TO LAUNCH (2006) Reviewed by Jerry Saravia RATING: Two and a half stars
Sometimes there is a movie that pops up that doesn't work on any level, yet it still surprises you in the end. Hollywood has its share of such passable follies, such as "Boys and Girls" (yes, that Jason Biggs comedy). Notably romantic comedies can fall under such a pattern. "Failure to Launch" looks like a cookie-cutter, cut-and-paste romantic comedy that shouldn't work because it looks like any other romantic comedy. Yet, for some reason unbeknownst to me, this movie got under my skin. Who knew?
"Failure to Launch" stars Matthew McConaughey as Trip, a 35-year-old boat broker who seems to have everything he wants in life. He is carefree, loves the idea of being in love, has his own house, his parents cook his meals and do his laundry for him and, wait a second. No, he does not own his own house at all. He lives with his parents (played by the charming Terry Bradshaw and Kathy Bates)! Trip has never moved out! When he brings a date over to his bedroom, he has sex before being interrupted by his dad and, well, the date is supposed to be horrified that Trip still lives with his parents. It is an easy maneuver for a break up.
Trip's parents, however, are tired of their son living at home. So they hire a "professional interventionist," Paula (the always electric Sarah Jessica Parker) to date Trip and pretend to fall in love with him so he moves out! Of course, this movie has an idea that hasn't been considered - what if the parents just told Trip to move out! Ah, but that would be a different movie altogether and would effectively delete the Parker character and her offbeat, kill-a-mockingbird-with-no-shame roommate (Zooey Deschanel)!
"Failure to Launch" is hardly anything but a completely formulaic and foreseeable comedy at its every turn. A little surprise here or there would've been welcome, including more scenes with Paula's kooky roommate. Too many scenes focus on Trip's buddies' who of course, well, get wind of what Paula is really up to. There are also scenes of mammals biting Trip...I know why they exist in terms of the main character's evolution but they nevertheless feel distracting. And McConaughey, a handsome, charismatic actor, seems miscast in the role of a 35-year-old slacker (at first glance, the part seems tailor made for Jack Black). That is until you discover why he lives with his parents. Plus, his timing is impeccable when he utters the only F-word in the entire PG-13 movie.
"Failure to Launch" has a few funny lines, some ideal chemistry between McConaughey and Parker, a hysterical butt shot with Terry Bradshaw, and a sappy finish that seems earned, no matter how many times you have witnessed it in the past. It is an agreeable, pleasing comedy that leaves me with a certain impression. It is Zooey Deschanel (who was wonderful in "The Good Girl"). Give this girl a chance to make a romantic comedy with Jack Black, and you really might have something than the normal romantic confection.
For more reviews, check out JERRY AT THE MOVIES at: http://www.jerryatthemovies.com/
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