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By CityFailure to Launch
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Failure to LaunchEnough Said
2006-03-16
Article Written by: Sami Jo
A thirty something man still living at home with mom and pop is the laughing joke of girls everywhere. That said, one would think a film on the subject would be hilarious. Casting Hollywood elite (Matthew McConaughey, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Bates) in such a film should make it a blockbuster. Nonetheless, Failure to Launch does just that.
While the film had its funny moments, the majority of the laughter came about from Paula’s (Parker) quirky roommate, Kit (Zooey Deschanel) and various peaceful animals biting Tripp (McConaughey). The only thing funny in the film about Tripp living with his parents is that they helped him get rid of girls he no longer wanted to date. Writers Tom J. Astle and Matt Ember had other problems on their hands too. It seems as if they wrote the script with Parker in mind and figured her name would sell tickets, therefore, forgot to give her character substance.
Parker’s character wasn’t the only one that needed help in the writing department. A guy living at home is supposed to be funny. The film briefly mentions that the reason why Tripp lives at home is because his former fiancée died. There’s nothing romantic or comedic about that! Then, after they throw this bit of background information on you and let you know that Parker got started in her niche launching career because of a former flame of her own, they continue on with more silly animal bites as if they didn’t drop a huge bomb!
As with most romantic comedies, it was completed in a mathematical, cookie-cutter fashion. It was more predictable than rain in Florida. It seems as if Hollywood has banned the idea of original cinema and insulted the intelligence of educated moviegoers. Instead of taking a good idea and creating a dynamic film, they settle for a sub-par script, add gorgeous celebrities and we’re supposed to run to the theaters and drop $8 for two hours of pure crap. When are the many faceless men and women that work behind the scenes in Tinsel Town going to stop capitalizing on the pretty faces of celebrities and actually use the talent that got them where they are?
