Tanya Batson-Savage, Freelance Writer
Paula (Sarah Jessica Parker, left) and Tripp (Matthew McConaughey) in 'Failure To Launch'. - CONTRIBUTED
FAILURE TO Launch, directed by Tom Dey and written by Tom J. Astle and Matt Ember, is a reasonably entertaining romantic comedy. For the most part, it stays within the box, but in a few moments it seems willing to jump out and dance around it (naked).
The flick is the story of a 35-year-old man who is still living at home (with parents) and the adventures this brings him in the dating world. The film stars Matthew McConaughey as Tripp, the man who has failed to launch, and (technically) Sarah Jessica Parker as Paula Tripp's love interest.
MCCONAUGHEY'S CHARM
Even though the flick is quite light fare, McConaughey is able to act rings about Parker, leaving her dizzy in his charming wake. Indeed, that is in many ways what McConaughey brings to this film - charm.
McConaughey makes a great romantic hero. He's good looking (especially now that he's lost the crazy muscles of Reign of Fire); instead of sweat, charisma oozes from his pores, and he has just enough of a southern accent to sound dashing, but not so one strong enough to make him sound retarded.
MORE EXPECTED FROM PARKER
Sarah Jessica Parker, on the other hand, is able to deliver a performance quite reminiscent of bubblegum. She is remarkably lacking in nutrition, but she is sweet. Failure to Launch would probable have been a far more interesting film if the writers had bothered to make Paula more interesting. Of course, it would have also been more interesting if Sarah Jessica Parker could do more than look pretty and clutch her chest in passion/anger/ frustration.
McConaughey's presence is particularly important, because, unlike the majority of romantic comedies, Failure to Launch is a guy's story. Tripp suffers from immense commitment phobia, which is a part of the reason he remains firmly entrenched in his parents' nest. Of course, as his mother continues to make him pancakes, iron his clothes and clean his room, his wish to continue at home is quite reasonable.
For the most part, it seems that the role of Sue is far beneath the skills of Kathy Bates. However, during her single moment of emotional intensity, Bates redeems having taken a role that she could have done while in a coma.
The flick relies mainly on physical comedy, usually with some kind of animal or other attack upon Tripp. Additionally, a second romance is added to the storyline through Kit (Zooey Deschanel) and Ace (Justin Bartha). Even though Bartha's performance is nowhere as bad as the travesty he produced in Gigli, Kip and Ace received far more on-screen time than they deserved.
Still, Failure To Launch would have been better served developing Paula and Tripp's relationship.
