 |
The plot of Failure to Launch is utterly implausible, yet the movie is thoroughly fun. Tripp (laid-back Matthew McConaughey, Sahara, Dazed and Confused) is a 35-year-old man who still lives with his parents (Kathy Bates, Misery, and ex-quarterback Terry Bradshaw)--and they aren't happy about it. Eager to get him out of the nest, they hire Paula (Sex and the City's Sarah Jessica Parker), a professional motivator who feigns relationships with boy-men so that their improved self-esteem will lead them to leave the nest. But Tripp's not the usual insecure shut-in Paula's used to, and as sparks fly, Paula finds herself losing her professional distance. This sort of set-up drove classic screwball comedies of the 1930s and 40s; once you embrace the absurdity, the movie zips along with a surprising balance of humor and bittersweet shadings. Failure to Launch gets a huge boost from the supporting performance of Zooey Deschanel (Elf) as Paula's housemate Kit--part sourpuss, part tomboy, and entirely sexy and winning. McConaughey and Parker have enjoyable chemistry and carry the movie well, but Deschanel is an oddball romantic-heroine-in-waiting. Also featuring Bradley Cooper (Alias) and Justin Bartha (National Treasure).Read full review
As far as saccharine, formulaic, ending-wrapped-up-in-a-little-bow romantic comedies go, this one isn't completely unbearable. Matthew McWhateverhisname always gives a great performance, even in trite scripts like this. Sarah Jessica Parker is somewhat bearable, and she seems to have managed some control over her face, so it isn't distracting you for the entire film. But what really saved this film were unexpected performances from Terry Bradshaw (yes, THAT Terry Bradshaw) and Zooey Deschanel, both of whom deserve leading roles in their next films. Also, Kathy Bates is her usual sparky, snappy self - always very alive and interesting in her roles. The plot isn't terribly original, and the tension is only mildly felt; also, chemistry has taken a holiday for this film - Matt and Sarah go together like two metaphorical things that don't go together at all. Then again, besides the unbelievable plot, Sarah Jessica Parker's inability to act, and the recycled emotions borrowed from every other romantic comedy ever made, the film isn't so bad. There are some very humorous moments, and some interesting subplots that would have easily made a better movie than the main storyline. But, in the end, the film is what it is: a romantic comedy, doomed to tell an old story in the same old way. Yes, there are funny moments, but most men will excuse themselves from the living room before the movie is halfway over rather than succumb to the urge to strangle someone (or themselves) after sitting through the whole thing. On the other hand, all of the women I know enjoyed it. Some descriptive terms they used in our friendly arguments about the film were: cute, fun, romantic, silly, and entertaining. Obviously I have a different take on entertainment than the women in my life.Read full review
While Failure To Launch offers all the makings of your typical Romantic Comedy, it does offer a little something extra in that the "Romeo" of the story is a middle aged man still living at home with mom and dad. And, as can be expected, Mom & Dad want him out. And how, praytell, do they expect to accomplish this goal? How else other than hire a woman to make their son fall in love and want to move out! But, as can be expected, it simply isn't that easy. And that is where the barrel of laughs start rolling in. And you won't stop laughing until the end. This is not just a chick flick. This is a movie that men and women both will enjoy!
Okay, so I'm not 35 years old like Tripp (Matthew McCanaughey), but this movie tells the familiar story of kids who just won't move out (like me!). His mom (like many moms do) does everything for him from cooking his meals to washing his clothes. Although his mom doesn't seem to mind too much, she and her husband decide it is time to get him out of the house. So they hire Paula (played by Sarah Jessica Parker) to date him and make him want to be independent. Paula is a professional get-sons-out-of-the-house and has a reputation of succeeding every time she is hired by parents like Tripp's parents. But Paula makes a big mistake with this "job" by falling in love. This movie is a good chick-flick but I watched it with a lot of older single guys and a couple girls and we laughed the whole time. Although Sarah Jessica Parker is not the best-looking actress, her acting was very good in this movie. And Matthew McCanaughey pulls off a very convincing role.Read full review
Loved this movie. It was very, very cute. Matthew McConaughey and Sarah Jessica Parker were both very cute. Anyone who wants a fun movie to watch, who wants to bring some much needed levity into their life would probably enjoy this movie. Matthew McConaughey plays a 30 something-ish man still living with his parents. What makes this movie somewhat apropros right now is the fact that people really are staying at home, living with their parents longer than they used to. Sarah Jessica Parker's character serves as the impetus to get him to think about changing direction. I wouldn't say the movie was completely LOL hilarious, but it had many cute moments and my husband and I really enjoyed it. It brought some levity into our world at the right time.
Current slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES}- Best Selling in DVDs & Blu-ray Discs
Current slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES}- Save on DVDs & Blu-ray Discs
Current slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES}- You may also like
