Failure to Launch (2006)

It's very difficult to not start this review with the phrase "failure to make a good movie". See? I couldn't not do it.

Tripp (Matthew McConaughey) is in his mid-30s and refuses to move out of his parents' house despite having a steady job, a nice car, and plenty of friends. So his parents hire Paula (Sarah Jessica Parker) to "launch" him into his own life. Apparently Paula does this for a living. It, unsurprisingly, must not be a consistent, in-demand job since she lives in a small place with her stereotypically-odd-Zooey-Deschanel roommate character. So Paula embarks on her tested plan to seduce and manipulate Tripp.

Surprise! Things don't go according to plan!
Surprise! Paula and Tripp may actually like each other!
Surprise! People find out the truth and get upset with each other!

Oh wait. Those aren't surprises at all. They're forced, unrealistic, formulaic "comedy". There's nothing here you haven't seen before and no added value to those overplayed elements. This endeavor even has no less than three incidents of animals attacking people - an event that's become commonplace in so many romantic comedies lately. It's cheap comedy with limited appeal. Some people might laugh the first time but does a biting dolphin really add value to your comedy quotient?

This is the type of movie people think of when you say "romantic comedy". I find that unfortunate. But if you like to have seen a movie before you've actually seen it, it may be comforting.

Rating: 1/5
Recommended for: Those who hate surprises and love McConaughey.