Barnes & Noble

The increasing reluctance of adult children to move out of the family homestead provides the jumping-off point for this cleverly written comedy. Matthew McConaughey plays a strapping, aimless 30-something whose loving parents (Kathy Bates and Terry Bradshaw) are ready for some long-overdue privacy. To this end, they hire Paula (Sarah Jessica Parker), a special consultant whose strategy relies on making the commitment-phobic young man fall in love with her. This being a mainstream American romantic comedy, though, you know it’s inevitable that she will fall in love with him, and that complications will ensue. Director Tom Ney (Shanghai Noon) relies heavily on the charm of his principal players to keep the movie bright and fluffy, and McConaughey and Parker are letter-perfect in their respective roles. Zooey Deschanel also registers solidly as the latter’s acerbic roommate, and football-legend-turned-broacaster Terry Bradshaw is surprisingly effective as McConaughey’s extroverted dad. As delightful as it is ultimately frivolous, Failure to Launch is a cool splash of fun, perfect for a light evening’s entertainment. Ed Hulse

All Movie Guide

A overgrown mama's boy who hasn't found the courage to take flight from the nest gets a little help from the girl of his dreams in Failure to Launch, a comedy that proves it's never to late to strike out on your own. Tripp (Matthew McConaughey) may have hit 30, but that doesn't mean that he's ready to give up the many benefits of living at home with mom (Kathy Bates) and dad (Terry Bradshaw). His desperate parents have had enough, though, and after years of gentle nudging they soon realize that it's going to take a concerted effort to get Tripp out and enjoy their twilight years in peace. Realizing that their only hope for ridding themselves of their reluctant-to-leave offspring rides on the off-chance of his meeting the ideal female companion, mom and dad enlist the help of a beautiful and talented woman (Sarah Jessica Parker) in providing the romantic incentive needed to finally get their son out of the family home. Jason Buchanan

Product Details

• UPC: 097361181042
• Source: PARAMOUNT
• Presentation: Pan & Scan
• Sound: Dolby AC-3 Surround Sound
• Language: English
• Editions: Special Edition
• Time: 1:36:00
• Sales Rank: 8,376