Failure to Launch (2006)

A thirty-something is still living with his parents until they hire an interventionist to help him graduate out of the house. That's when the fun begins.

Director:

Tom Dey

Writers:

Tom J. Astle, Matt Ember

Stars:

Matthew McConaughey, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kathy Bates

5 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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

Storyline

At 35, Tripp has an interesting job, a hip car, a passion for sailing, and a great house - trouble is, he lives with his parents. They want him out, so they hire Paula, an "interventionist," who has a formula in these cases: chance encounter, get him to ask her out, involve him in a trauma, meet his friends and get their nod, delay sex, have him teach her something, then launch him. It's worked up to now, but this gets complicated when Tripp thinks she's getting too serious and one of his pals is attracted to Paula's deadpan, semi-alcoholic roommate, who's plagued by a mockingbird. Too many secrets may scrub the launch, and what if Paula really likes him? Who can intervene then?

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Plot Keywords:

loose bird | friend | intervention | moving | secret | 

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Taglines:

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

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Genres:

Comedy | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

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

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

10 March 2006 (USA)

Also Known As:

Failure to Launch

Filming Locations:

Annapolis, Maryland, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$50,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$24,411,322, 12 March 2006, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$88,715,192, 22 June 2006

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$128,406,887

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Pictures, Scott Rudin Productions, Failure to Launch Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

97 min 95 min (cut)

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital DTS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Brooke Shields, Tori Spelling, and Reese Witherspoon were all offered the role of Paula, but turned it down.

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Goofs

After Tripp and Paula get off the boat, when they were caught by the actual owner, a close up shot shows Tripp's arm around Paula, and then a long shot, his arm is not around her.

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Quotes

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

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Connections

Referenced in Getaway: Episode #17.16 (2008)

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Soundtracks

All the Time in the World
Written by Shane MacGowan
Performed by The Nips

User Reviews

Silly, Predictable But Entertains

Tripp (Matthew McConaughey) is a thirty-five years old bachelor man that still lives with his parents, Al (Terry Bradshaw) and Sue (Kathy Bates). Al and Sue hire the manipulative interventionist Paula (Sarah Jessica Parker) to play Tripp's girlfriend and seduce him, convincing Tripp to move out of their home. Paula and Tripp fall in love for each other, but Tripp's best friends Ace (Justin Bartha) and Demo (Bradley Cooper) accidentally find the truth about Paula and Demo discloses to Tripp, spoiling the plan and their relationship. When Tripp and Paula miss each other, their friends plot a scheme trying to arrange an encounter to fix the situation.

"Failure to Launch" is a silly and predictable romance, but entertains only because of the excellent cast. There is a great chemistry among the actors and actresses of this movie, keeping the interest of the viewer, in spite of a terrible and forgettable screenplay. The gorgeous Zooey Deschanel is the best in this flick performing Kit, the funny and complicated roommate of Paula. My vote is five.

Title (Brazil): "Armações do Amor" ("Tricks of Love")