Failure to Launch (2006)

Directed by: Tom Dey | 97 minutes | comedy, romance | Actors: Matthew McConaughey, Sarah Jessica Parker, Zooey Deschanel, Justin Bartha, Bradley Cooper, Terry Bradshaw, Kathy Bates, Adam Alexi-Malle, Anne Ewen, Mageina Tovah, Tyrell Jackson Williams, Katheryn Winnick

There is no profession as crazy as it is in Hollywood. Parents who are more than tired of their children in their thirties who live at home, do not kindly ask their child whether it is not even time for their own accommodation, so that mom and dad can enjoy each other again, no, a real “interventionist” is hired for this. In ‘Failure to Launch’ this role is played by Sarah Jessica Parker. Tripp, the man whose parents want him to leave the house is Matthew McConaughey. In fact, McConaughey does the same trick in this film as he did in ‘How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days’, in which he was tricked by Kate Hudson (although he also had a hidden agenda in that film himself). In ‘Failure to Launch’ he is only the victim, because it is obvious that he falls for the charms of Paula (Parker).

Tripp has it all done well, a nice job as a boat broker, a nice appearance, his laundry is neatly ironed, his room is vacuumed before he comes out of his own bathroom and fresh pancakes every morning. The countless relationships he has had are nipped in the bud as soon as things get a little too serious and the girl gives him “the look” by taking the lady in question to his house, so that she finds out that he still lives at home. Paula’s theory is that people who do not want to leave the parental home suffer from low self-esteem. That’s why she boosts such ‘losers’ by making them fall in love with her…

In a rombow like this, a number of ingredients are very important: the chemistry between the protagonists (check), amusing scenes (check), witty dialogues (check) and last but not least, the supporting actors (double check). The main and only supporting roles in ‘Failure to Launch’ are played by Kathy Bates (mother), Terry Bradshaw (father), Tripp’s two friends: Demo (Bradley Cooper), Ace (Justin Bartha) and a delightful role of Zooey Deschanel as Paula’s roommate, Kit. Deschanel plays a wonderfully crazy girl, whose obsession with a mockingbird runs like a thread through the film. The scene of her discussion with Paula in a sporting goods store near the weapons department is really hilarious. A lead role for this actress please, and a bit soon!

So it’s okay with these aspects of the film, but do all the parts also make a good whole? Of course! ‘Failure to Launch’ has become a successful production, with which you will enjoy yourself for over an hour and a half. What makes ‘Failure to Launch’ slightly better than the average romantic comedy is that every character in the film actually has a deeper layer. Although you can already predict halfway through the film where the last scene will take place, the road to it will sometimes surprise you!