Failure to Launch (2006)

Director:

Tom Dey

Writers (WGA):

Tom J. Astle (written by) &
Matt Ember (written by)

Release Date:

10 March 2006 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Romance

Tagline:

To leave the nest, some men just need a little push.

Plot:

A thirtysomething slacker suspects his parents of setting him up with his dream girl so he'll finally vacate their home.

Plot Keywords:

Friend | Secret | Mockingbird | Slacker | Love

Awards:

4 nominations

Cast

Matthew McConaughey	...	Tripp
Sarah Jessica Parker	...	Paula
Zooey Deschanel	...	Kit
Justin Bartha	...	Ace
Bradley Cooper	...	Demo
Terry Bradshaw	...	Al
Kathy Bates	...	Sue
Tyrel Jackson Williams	...	Jeffrey
Katheryn Winnick	...	Melissa
Rob Corddry	...	Gun Salesman #1
Patton Oswalt	...	Techie Guy
Stephen Tobolowsky	...	Bud
Kate McGregor-Stewart	...	Bev
Adam Alexi-Malle	...	Mr. Axelrod
Gretchen Cleevely	...	Gretchen the Veterinarian

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for sexual content, partial nudity and language.

Runtime:

97 min | Philippines:95 min (cut)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital | DTS

Certification:

USA:PG-13 | UK:12A | Singapore:PG | Canada:PG (Ontario) | Ireland:12A | Australia:M | Switzerland:10 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:10 (canton of Vaud) | France:U | Netherlands:6 | Portugal:M/12 | Malaysia:U | Argentina:Atp | Finland:K-7 | Sweden:Btl | Brazil:14 | USA:PG-13 (certificate #42417) | Hungary:16 | Philippines:PG-13 | Iceland:L | South Korea:15

Filming Locations:

Annapolis, Maryland, USA

Company:

Paramount Pictures

Trivia:

Towards the end of the movie we find out that Justin Bartha's character, Ace, bought his house from his parents to avoid having to pay the inheritance tax when they pass away. The Federal inheritance tax during the year this movie was released was on inheritances starting at $2 million. There are state inheritance taxes as well, but Maryland, where this movie is supposed to take place, exempts direct descendants of those receiving the inheritance from the tax.

Goofs:

Factual errors: On Tripp's car there is no front plate. In Maryland where the film is set, there are license plates on the front of every car.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Melissa: I just feel really close to you.
Tripp: You are really close to me.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Hierarchy (2009)

Soundtrack:

Cruel to be Kind

Should've been better.

I went to see this film because I have admired Kathy Bates' acting for years. I must say that I am confused as to why she would accept a role so beneath her abilities. Given that, she could have brought life into her character.

As for Sarah Jessica Parker. Well, her ability to portray emotions ranges from clutching her chest to clutching her stomach. And when is this 40+ year old woman going to stop squealing like a stuck pig. Girls in middle school are able to express themselves better.

The male actors were, well, unimpressive at best.

The story line could've have been developed a lot more, with interesting banter and twists and turns. But it wasn't. Yet there were times when there were some good one-liners.

For a inexpensive matinée, why not. For a full priced movie ticket...