Film reviews: Failure To Launch
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What's the story?
A 35-year-old luxury yacht broker (Matthew McConaughey) is determined to remain living with his parents' for as long as he can. So they hire a dating specialist (Sarah Jessica Parker) to lure him away.
What we say
Failure to launch is the new US term for the growing phenomenon of children unwilling (or unable) to leave the nest. Rather than exploring the issue in any great depth, the premise forms the basis for a wretched romantic comedy that ultimately displays a complete failure to entertain. From the moment director Tom Dey resorts to using animals to attack Matthew McConaughey's main character, Tripp, whenever he is outdoors (we're talking animatronic chipmunks and lizards) you can tell the film is straining for laughs. So while the cast clearly had a good time sailing, surfing, rock climbing and paintballing as part of the set pieces, their enjoyment comes at the audience's expense. The biggest problem with Failure to Launch is therefore its inability to provide a single character worth caring about. The two leads share very little chemistry while their on-off relationship feels like a weary re-tread of Matthew's previous rom-com hit, How To Lose A Guy In Ten Days. Throw in an ending ripped right out of another of Matt's hits, Ed TV and you really have to wonder what the filmmakers were thinking.
Review: Rob Carnevale
Photo: © UIP
