It is not uncommon for college students to be strapped for cash so I decided to choose the cheaper option of renting a DVD this week. I was not looking for the pretense of an indie-flick and I am quite tired of being bombarded by the blockbusters inspired by comics. With this in mind, I strolled down the aisle ignoring my usual inclination to check out the foreign film section and decided to rent the ‘chick flick’, full of fluff movie, “Failure to Launch.” My class work is piling up and the need to watch a thought-provoking movie was not too strong. I had hoped that the mindless entertainment would fit the bill.
First off, though I was not terribly disappointed with the plot, the circumstances of the film seemed a bit unlikely. Our main character, played by Matthew McConaughey, is a handsome and successful 35-year-old who just happens to live at home with his parents. Maybe there was some sort of irony I missed or there was possibly a miscasting of the role, but come on, this guy is named Tripp. Can’t you see that name embroidered on a new golf bag at any local country club? Girls love the corporate preppy type. Most importantly, Tripp is portrayed by McConaughey who is usually seen shirtless on a grocery store tabloid near you, so you can see how this scenario seems unrealistic.
So Tripp has an interesting job, drives a nice car, and unfortunately for his parents Al and Sue, still lives at home. Terry Bradshaw plays Al and does not stretch too far from his regular goofy demeanor, but the acclaimed Kathy Bates delivers a solid performance as Sue, the mother who takes action into her own hands. Sue hires the interventionist Paula, brought to us by Sarah Jessica Parker, to help ease Tripp out of the house by applying a proven formula she has cleverly devised to cause a domino effect that will hopefully ‘launch him’ out on his own.
While Sarah Jessica Parker usually infuses her roles with style and an approachable best friend disposition, her precocious nature could not spark any kind of chemistry between herself and McConaughey. Sometimes I felt my self reverting back to my to-do list while their scenes stretched on. Most of us watch a movie for the escapism so needless to say, I did not delight in my reaction to their neverending scenes. However, there were some good laughs and the occasional emotional Oprah-like moments.
This film does not set out to provoke any new ideas so I suppose it would be unfair for me to expect greatness from it. Granted, I was impressed by the dead pan delivery of Zooey Deschanel as Paula’s roommate Kit. Her pension for alcohol and strange aversion to mockingbirds was one of the few high points in the movie. If anything, I would recommend the film on Deschanel’s merit alone. While this movie is not my favorite, I won’t deem it terrible either. It does not exactly reach for the stars, but it serves the purpose of date night movie or hanging out with the girls.
This film is rated PG-13 for sexual content, partial nudity and language.

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