‘Failure to Launch’: One of the Fun, but Forgettable Rom-Coms


It’s been a long time since this romantic-comedy made its debut in theaters. But right before Netflix bid it goodbye, I did give it a watch, come away liking the laughs, but not loving Failure to Launch.

Failure to Launch (2006) Film Review

For 30-some years, Tripp (Matthew McConaughey) is the guy who lives with his parents. He’s comfortable, and plus, anytime a girl looks for commitment, all Tripp has to do is bring her back to his place where the fact that he lives with his parents is just too unattractive to overcome. Then, he meets Paula (Sarah Jessica Parker).

Paula is somehow a little bit different than the other girls. She’s charming and funny, but she isn’t making their dating relationship all that easy. What he doesn’t know is Paula is actually being paid to inspire Tripp to leave, and it just may pose a problem for a would-be future between them…

Have you ever seen a movie that’s cute, makes you laugh at the time, but ultimately, you find forgettable? That’s kind of my reaction to Failure to Launch. This is a situation I realize many people would apply to the films I love and gush over (*ahem* The Kissing Booth 2), but that’s part of what makes it fun to see the vast array of titles, genres and concepts that make up a movie.

‘Failure to Launch’: One of the Fun, but Forgettable Rom-Coms. Review of the 2006 rom-com with Sarah Jessica Parker. #WhattoWatch #RomCom #SarahJessicaParker #Movies Share on X
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Not sure what it is about this one that makes it “meh,” but I think if I have to say, it’d be the slacker personality of the characters (some of them) and the stereotype that is the way Tripp serial dates women. (Again, I recognize that I forgive this in other films.) The plot is fun beyond this, and Matthew certainly seems to enjoy his days as the leading man of rom-coms. Sarah isn’t a favorite actor, but what IS surprising is the star power behind the supporting cast. There’s Bradley Cooper, Justin Bartha and most pleasant, Zooey Deschanel. They help make everything more fun.

If you enjoy some laughs, and silly shenanigans, then Failure to Launch is a fun if forgettable romantic-comedy. It’s stronger on the comedy than any real romance, but the end is cute, and it’s fun to watch something with a different premise.


Content: There’s sexual innuendo [there’s a sex scene in the beginning, non-graphic and the lead-in to another later]. There’s some profanity and other crude humor. The film is PG-13.

About Rissi JC

amateur graphic designer. confirmed bookaholic. bubbl’r enthusiast. critical thinker. miswesterner. social media coordinator. writer.

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