Failure to Launch (PG-13)
Mike:
Scott:
Scott: We are here to review Failure to Launch
. This movie is about a 35 year old man, Trip (Matthew McConaughey) who still lives at home with his parents Sue and Al, played by a Kathy Bates and a funny Terry Bradshaw.
McConaughey's parents are tired of him living at home so they hire a 'separation specialist', Paula (Sarah Jessica Parker), to get him out of the house. Apparently, she specializes in getting grown men to move out of their parent's houses. I didn't really know this was a big issue, but every older parent we see in this movie has the same problem. Maybe it's the neighborhood?
Your thoughts Mike?
Mike: I thought it was fine. What my Mom would call a "cute" movie. We've seen this all before, but that isn't necessarily bad.
And you?
Scott: I know there are going to be a lot of puns written up for this movie, but I have to start with one... Failure to Launch never gets off of the ground. I couldn't get into it. It started so ridiculous. I just don't see Parker as a gorgeous woman and in her first scene they try to make her out to be that. It just didn't work.
Mike: I am not a big Sarah Jessica Parker Broderick, Jr, III fan either. She is not as attractive as the role called for. As a matter of fact she has "man hands" and that kind of scared me.
Scott: She has a very muscular neck as well.
Mike: Unfortunately, she's not the sweet slightly nerdy girl from Square Pegs anymore. Now she is always going to be Sex in the City worldly woman.
Scott: Yes, she is much more sophisticated. I like her in roles where she is more aloof, not so down-to-earth. I just don't get that feel from her.
Mike: It's a bit sad that as a guy I was more taken with Matthew McConaughey than Parker.
Scott: Um, yeah, you go with that. I liked the female costar, Kit (Zooey Deschanel). She has had a special place in my heart since Elf.
Mike: Yes we know about you and your Zooey crush. I think you have mentioned this in several reviews.
Scott: I have to mention my crush in every review of her movies.
Mike: But I have to agree with you. She has a great quality about her and her character is one of the most appealing in the movie.
There are some funny moments in the movie, though. I think Terry Bradshaw and Kathy Bates as the parents help save this movie.
Scott: Bradshaw has appeared in a ton of movies like Cannonball Run and ... ... ... this movie. I liked him in this. It was obvious in parts he was overacting, but I liked him all the same. He seems like a loving father and an understanding one as well.
Mike: If you want to see Terry's backside, then this is the movie for you.
Scott: Bates was great. She was the perfect Mom. She did everything a growing boy could want. Notice I said Boy and not Man. There is a difference there, or, at least there is supposed to be a difference.
Mike: Are you saying that your mom doesn't still make you pancakes for breakfast and do your laundry?
Scott: No, unfortunately, she doesn't anymore.
Mike: It's a nice racket if you can get away with it.
Back to Zooey. I think the funniest scenes in the movie are hers.
Scott: Yes, they are. She has a great deadpan delivery.
Mike: Zooey's scene in the gun store is memorable.
Scott: Rob Corddry was the gun store clerk. He is a pretty funny guy who has been on the Daily Show a few times. Yet another funny Daily Show veteran.
Mike: I did not know that.
Scott: I specifically listened out for the score and the soundtrack so I could talk about it. Did you listen out for it?
Mike: Not much going on this time. Basically some junky remakes of cheesy Burt Bacharach songs. Not even the originals.
Scott: Cheesy is the perfect word. The music was pulled from the 'Romantic Comedy' section of the store. The music was just another formulaic addition to the movie.
Mike: The only original is in the end credits, when they do an actual Ray Charles song.
This movie brought to mind Hitch and also How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, which starred McConaughey oddly enough.
One thing this has over the average 'Date movie', is that this isn't just from the woman's point of view. It's also not a man basher.
Scott: It was 90% romantic comedy. The end was a bit different, but really, it was similar to all of the other movies. It's really difficult to come up with a new romantic comedy I guess.
Mike: True.
Are you ready for some trivia? Do you know who Zooey's father is?
Scott: No idea.
Mike: Caleb Deschanel, the famous cinematographer. You have seen his work in The Right Stuff, he Natural and The Patriot, all very stunning looking films.
Scott: The Right Stuff is one of my favorite movies of all time, The Natural as well.
Mike: The three I mentioned are some of my favorite movies.
Scott: So what do you rate this?
Mike: I am going to give it a 2 for romantic comedy, but a 3 overall. Even though it all seems very familiar, it has some laughs and would probably be a good movie to take a date.
Scott: Wow, you are generous. I give this a 1.5 overall and a 1 for romantic comedy. It was bad, bad, bad.
Mike: I didn't see you walk out.....
Scott: I would have, the first 20 minutes were really bad. Zooey kept me there after that.
Mike: Bad, bad, bad are the last couple of movies we saw. This is actually a step up.
Scott: Remember people, it was Mike that said that, so don't come looking for me after you see this movie!
Mike: Come on Scott; get in touch with your feminine side!
Scott: If you live with your parents, or are a 1970's Pittsburgh Steelers fan, this is the movie for you!
