Tripp (Matthew McConaughey) has never been able to leave the nest. He's always had some reason or other, but now, his desperate parents have had enough. They hite the gorgeous and talented girl of his dreams (Sarah Jessica Parker) to get him to move out of the house.
(from FailureToLaunchMovie.com)

Ah, the romantic comedy. Formulaic always, but sometimes rewarding. Romantic comedies work much like any baking recipe where the result relies so heavily on just the right amount of each ingredient. When the romantic comedy relies too much on drama and not enough on comedy (Notting Hill), or relies too heavily on sexual material to direct the romantic element (Keeping The Faith), the film can feel problematic or even sloppy. Enter 2006's attempt Failure To Launch.

Director Tom Dey (who did a fine job on the Jackie Chan / Owen Wilson western vehicle Shanghai Noon) flounders when handed the promising premise of the predictably resulting Failure To Launch. From the get-go, Failure To Launch has every necessary ingredient and cliche the romantic comedy needs to fit the bill. While it's well-acted throughout, the film struggles with whether or not to pursue reality or camp, clearly siding with the latter by the film's wincingly cheesy resolution. The other problem is, even when the characters may have their charming or sweet moments, there's a sleezy feeling that's woven into the mix. McConaughey's Tripp won't commit to a relationship and brings his dates home to bed them in his parents' house when he feels the need to sever the ties. Other characters seem to base attraction strictly on looks or status as the usually sweet Zooey Deschanel (Elf, The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy) plays the foul-mouthed and rather shallow Kit. Same could be said for Justin Bartha who played the comedic relief in 2004's National Treasure, plays Ace who falls for Kit and they end up sleeping together on the first date. Of course, this is all meant to be very funny and cute, but it ends up merely turning the sweet to sour.

Is there much redeemable about Failure To Launch? I wouldn't presume to suggest much at all, but the film did offer some worthy laughs. The camaraderie between McConaughey and his fellow live-at-home buddies was often entertaining, as well as a few moments when nature resists Tripp's interactions or when he gets a chance to toy with his family when he realizes what's going on. Finally, somewhere deep within the tangles of the mess called Failure To Launch, is a message about being truthful and honest in relationships. But ultimately, Failure To Launch just seems to fail at about all it tries its hand at.

Although it offers a promising cast, a decent director, and a premise that had potential, Failure To Launch does just that. It may have its moments, but in the end, the film just seems too bogged down with racy material to be worth recommending. It's annoying that it seems so hard to find a good clean date movie today and Failure To Launch only makes it worse.

- John DiBiase, (reviewed: 3/23/06)