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:

family life | usa | united states | intervention | bird loose inside a house | 

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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

Did You Know?

Trivia

Matthew McCaughney appeared in an episode of Sex and the City alongside Sarah Jessica Parker. He played himself as someone who is interested in putting Carrie Bradshaw's columns on film.

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Goofs

When Paula and Tripp are walking into his parents' house, there are two cars parked across the street, but when they enter the house a few seconds later, the cars are gone.

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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 Arrested Development: A New Start (2013)

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Soundtracks

This Love
by Michael Goldwasser
Performed by Jr. Jazz
Courtesy of Marc Ferrari / Master Source

User Reviews

A talented cast flounders

Another pre-McConaissance mediocre rom-com from ya boi Matty McConaughey. There's a smidgen of chemistry between him and Parker, but not nearly enough to keep this cliched, predictable film afloat (get it? because boats?). Deschannel is the MVP and by far the highlight of the film, though her random mockingbird side quest takes up a disturbing amount of time. This really is a great cast that just isn't given great material. The constant, over-the-top animal-biting scenes? WTF. It's some mild entertainment, but nothing to write home about.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

10 March 2006 (USA)

Also Known As:

Failure to Launch

Filming Locations:

Alabama, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$50,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$24,411,322, 12 March 2006

Gross USA:

$88,715,192

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$130,224,158

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