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Hahahahaha. That was me watching Failure to Launch, the new Paramount movie from director Tom Dey and starring the well matched on-screen couple of Matthew McConaughey and Sarah Jessica Parker. I truly don’t think I have laughed out loud this much in a long time. It was part writing, part delivery, part timing all coming together at the right times that made this film stand out.

Trip (McConaughey) is a 35-year-old guy who has everything going for him. Looks, personality, charm. But one glitch always seems to keep him
unhitched. He lives with his parents. Now we aren't talking about some pathetic loser who lives under the wing of an over protective mom. No, he
likes this gig. And in fact uses it to stay out of the commitment realm. When his parents have had enough and are ready for a little empty nesting, they hire Paula (Parker). Paula’s job is simple. She gets men interested in her enough to want to better themselves and get out on their own. But of course this is a romantic comedy so they end up falling for each other and all that romantic comedy jazz.

What grabbed me about this movie was the side plots of the minor characters. To sort of break the monotony of a normal run of the mill “will they wont they” get together film, the writers threw in quirky characters that had their own issues and life dealings. Paula's roommate Kit, played incredibly by Zooey Deschanel is this moody, sarcastic person who almost steals the movie. Deschanel has a dark way at comedy that just cracks me up. She is so at home in this role and brings some truly hilarious moments.

Likewise, Trips parents are played believingly by an unlikely duo. I never would have pictured The QB turned commentator Terry Bradshaw holding his own with an actress the caliber of Kathy Bates. Yet he delivers when he needs to and does a decent job.

So yeah, I think you combine competent writing that takes a fresh spin on a rehashed plot, with convincing, solid performances and you get a romantic comedy that puts itself above the others. I know that the more serious critics will more than likely blast it for not having something or too much of something else, but if you want a fun, laugh out loud comedy with some romance thrown in. This is the film to see.

Failure to launch is Rated PG-13 for sexual content, partial nudity and language. As with all romantic comedies sex is looked at as a simple past time and as casual as watching TV. As far as the nudity, well lets just say it is not sexual in any shape, form or fashion but meant to simply bring a laugh. And does. The story line and character development is based around the 30 something crowd and will be non relatable to many teens especially under the age of 13. But being in that 30 something crowd I truly enjoyed every moment of this film and give it a hearty 4 out of 5 mockingbirds. With a look at Failure to Launch, I’m Matt Mungle.

The Mungle (matt@spin180.net)(3/08/06)

Matt is a member of the North Texas Film Critics Association (NTFCA) and hosts the weekly syndicated Indie Rock Radio Show Spin 180. Plus with his wife Cindy they do a weekly radio feature, The Mungles on Movies. For additional reviews and interview clips visit the website www.mungleshow.com