Failure to Launch

Name: Failure to Launch
Genre: Comedy, Romance
Released: March 10, 2006
Duration: 97 min
Rating: 47
Cast: Kathy Bates, Matthew McConaughey, Sarah Jessica Parker, Terry Bradshaw

2006

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 31 Critics

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USER SCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 72 Ratings

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5.6

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5.6	User Score Mixed or average reviews based on 72 Ratings

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FAILURE TO LAUNCH

Movie Details & Credits

Paramount Pictures | Release Date: March 10, 2006

Starring: Kathy Bates, Matthew McConaughey, Sarah Jessica Parker, Terry Bradshaw

Summary: Tripp (McConaughey) has never been able to leave the nest. He's always had some reason or other, but now, his desperate parents (Bradshaw, Bates) have had enough. They hire the gorgeous and talented girl of his dreams (Parker) to get him to move out of the house. (Paramount Pictures)

Director: Tom Dey

Genre(s): Comedy, Romance

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 97 min

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Critic Reviews

New York Post - Kyle Smith

This is a guy comedy being mismarketed as a chick flick, complete with a poster that looks like a page from Lucky magazine. Read full review

Baltimore Sun - Chris Kaltenbach

There's comfort in seeing actors we know doing what we've come to expect them to do. But more important, the film surrounds them with supporting characters who are less familiar to us, who act in ways we don't expect. Read full review

TV Guide Magazine - Maitland McDonagh

That there's precious little chemistry between buffed-and-tanned stars Parker and McConaughey is only the first of this slight, overly busy film's problems. Read full review

Salon - Stephanie Zacharek

Deschanel may not be as brilliant as the great comedian Gracie Allen (and, at any rate, it's too soon to tell). But her Rube Goldberg timing (which only seems indirect) and blissfully zonked demeanor suggest the spirit of Allen. She's the only actor in Failure to Launch who isn't earthbound; she leaves everyone else in the dust simply by hanging back. Read full review

New York Daily News - Jack Mathews

Failure to Launch sounds like really bad Oscar Wilde, but it's not that good. You are not supposed to dislike anybody here. Read full review

Seattle Post-Intelligencer - William Arnold

Somehow the screwball concoction does not jell. The stars are pleasant but unexciting, the goofy ensemble has a few moments of hilarity but never catches fire, the laughs are very scattered and the film's title is a self-fulfilling prophecy. Read full review

USA Today - Claudia Puig

The premise is misbegotten, the chemistry non-existent and the dialogue leaden. Did we mention how tediously the plot unfolds? Read full review

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User Reviews

LisaF.

May 3, 2006

Truly the feel good movie you want to go see. Laugh out loud or just chuckle, you can't help but enjoy yourself here (even if it is just because you are thankful you never had this happen to you!) [***SPOILERS***] Sarah Jessica Parker comes across as genuine and relateable, and you Truly the feel good movie you want to go see. Laugh out loud or just chuckle, you can't help but enjoy yourself here (even if it is just because you are thankful you never had this happen to you!) [***SPOILERS***] Sarah Jessica Parker comes across as genuine and relateable, and you feel happy for her when she realizes she has finally found The One, even though you are sad because you know what has to happen next -- The Reveal. Matthew McConaughey is delightful and fun. Kind of the boy next store, big brother we all wanted. He lends a spontenaity and charm to the character that helps draw us into his world and root for his success. While I love Kathy Bates and Terry Bradshaw, and am happy to see them "show" the older couple as loving and sexual partners after all those years, I could have gone the rest of my life without seeing Terry's butt! Take a friend or a girlfriend and check out Failure To Launch.… Expand

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JamesB.

Mar 26, 2006

Enjoyable romantic & buddy movie. McConaughey was maybe a little miscast, but it's made up for with Parker, Bradshaw, and certainly Kathy Bates. This is a "no surprises" film with an excellent cast and a decent script. If you're in the mood for somehting light, you shouldn't Enjoyable romantic & buddy movie. McConaughey was maybe a little miscast, but it's made up for with Parker, Bradshaw, and certainly Kathy Bates. This is a "no surprises" film with an excellent cast and a decent script. If you're in the mood for somehting light, you shouldn't be disappointed.… Expand

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NicolaD.

Jul 5, 2006

Its a fun comedy. It's not earthshattering, but its amusing. For the life of me I don't know why anyone would spend the time writing a 700+ word review on such a light weight movie!! Its entertainment it doesn't need to be over-analysed.

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Jul 23, 2006

Not the best romantic comedy I've seen, but not the worst either. It was, for the most part, entertaining. Worth renting.

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jp992751

Jan 18, 2011

Not terrible but definitely not one I would watch again. McConaughey lost points in my mind after this one. It had some funny moments but far too few.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

MatthewM.

Jun 30, 2006

By no means am I a movie critic, but this movie has bad acting, bad comedy and bad chemistry.

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MatthewR.

Mar 9, 2006

Deschanel wih those Betty Davis eyes steals the picture. Sarah Jessica continues to be as excrutiatingly annoying as she was in that stupid shoe fest called Sex and the City. Is Terry Bradshaw the new Robert DeNiro?

0 of 0 users found this helpful

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