Caffeinated Clint
I love Matthew McConaughey. No, not in a “Brokeback Mountain” kind of way (although I am very fond of Heath Ledger) but in a “Hey, that’s my kind of guy” kind of way…kind of. My personal sense of manliness, acquired (right or wrong) from a baby boomer upbringing filled with TV westerns, Jimmy Stewart reruns and “Easy Rider” on the big screen, is somehow justified when watching a McConaughey film. From his laid back Wooderson in “Dazed and Confused” to the do-the-right-thing defense lawyer in “A Time to Kill” to the unlikely heroic submarine captain in “U-571”, McConaughey’s characters were the guys you wanted on your side. And even when most critics were torpedoing his Dirk Pitt role in “Sahara”, this reviewer defended the over-the-top action pic as a “boatful of exhilarating fun”. That said, the love affair is now on thin ice.
Matthew McConaughey, Sarah Jessica Parker, Zooey Deschanel, Justin Bartha, Bradley Cooper, Terry Bradshaw, Kathy Bates, Tyrell Jackson
I love Matthew McConaughey. No, not in a “Brokeback Mountain” kind of way (although I am very fond of Heath Ledger) but in a “Hey, that’s my kind of guy” kind of way…kind of. My personal sense of manliness, acquired (right or wrong) from a baby boomer upbringing filled with TV westerns, Jimmy Stewart reruns and “Easy Rider” on the big screen, is somehow justified when watching a McConaughey film. From his laid back Wooderson in “Dazed and Confused” to the do-the-right-thing defense lawyer in “A Time to Kill” to the unlikely heroic submarine captain in “U-571”, McConaughey’s characters were the guys you wanted on your side. And even when most critics were torpedoing his Dirk Pitt role in “Sahara”, this reviewer defended the over-the-top action pic as a “boatful of exhilarating fun”. That said, the love affair is now on thin ice.
In “Failure to Launch” McConaughey plays Trip, a 35-year-old playboy still living with his parents who are ready for him to leave. So, they hire Paula (Sarah Jessica Parker) to do the dirty work for them by seducing Trip into falling for her. Trip’s parents (played by Kathy Bates and Terry Bradshaw) could just kick him out, but as we learn later, they have their reasons. Unfortunately, the reasons don’t make sense, just like the story. But before I bury this film too deeply, let’s skip the fact that the plot is a flop and talk about characters and gags.
Trip has two still-at-home buddies who totally agree with Trip’s philosophy of dumping every girl before things get too serious. Paula’s roommate Kit (Zooey Deschanel) is skeptical of Trip and every other guy. And it’s the scenes with these friends that almost save “Failure”. Deschanel gives one of the quirkiest, comedic performances of the year as a dark, goth-like loner who has it out for a noisy mockingbird, going as far as buying a gun and attempting to kill the singing once and for all. Her begrudging relationship with one of Trip’s friends is terrifically funny, and she comes close to stealing the film. But what’s a romantic comedy without the animal world attacking the male lead? Inexplicably, throughout the entire film Trip is accosted by animals that keep biting him—from chipmunks to iguanas to dolphins. They do, however, serve to divert us from the plot, or lack thereof. McConaughey and Parker both do a descent job. But the chemistry just isn’t there. And when you find yourself wanting to see more of the “buddies” you know there’s a problem. Even Bates and Bradshaw can’t save things (warning: the following line may make you seriously ill) especially when the film’s big nude scene features Bradshaw himself. (I warned you. Now try and get that image out of your head.) The slight twist in a predictable ending just isn’t clever enough, although I am glad I waited for the closing credits. So, McConaughey, it’s time to do what you asked of your beloved Texas Longhorns football team just before they won the national championship. “Live the dream.” Take on a role that means something. (Remember “Lone Star”?) But don’t worry. I still love ya…kind of.
Extras on the DVD include a making of and a couple of other things. Nothing special.
Rating : 
Reviewer : Tim Basham
