SYNOPSIS:
Matthew McConaughey is Tripp, a 35 year old who still lives
with his parents. And who can blame him? It's free, he's got
a great room and mom does the laundry. Desperate to get him
out of the house, his parents hire a gorgeous woman, Paula to
give him a little push. They just didn't expect Tripp would
push back!
MOVIE REVIEW :
This
reviewer should be ashamed of himself.
He
is comfortably typing this article in the comfort of his room,
while Mum does his household chores for him. Yes, it includes
things like laundry, cooking and making sure that every corner
of his room is spick and span.
Sounds
like a life which most of you local readers are leading? Well,
this kind of lifestyle is apparently frowned upon in America
– especially if you are a 35-year-old eligible bachelor
like Matthew McConaughey.
The
good-looker (with a hot bod to boast of too!) plays a singleton
who still lives with his parents. They employ an attractive
woman (played by Sex and the City’s Sarah Jessica Parker)
to “fall in love” with him, so that he will move
out of the house. A business deal soon evolves into a relationship
with real feelings involved.
Typical
Hollywood treatment, we hear you say? Truth be told, we knew
the ending the moment we read the synopsis of this romantic
flick. We knew there will be the obligatory slapstick moments,
the drama-mama confrontations, and the happy conclusion that
will please viewers of all demographic. And all these are
interjected with sweet and saccharine romantic scenes of the
two pretty stars exchanging dialogue, as well as eyes for
each other.
While
McConaughey and Parker are pleasing to the eyes, and give
adequately decent performances, it is the supporting cast
who cracked us up. Be it Zooey Deschanel’s crappy girly
sidekick, Justin Bartha’s goofy but sincere buddy, or
Bradley Cooper’s himbo with a heart, their characters
definitely add spice to an otherwise bland movie.
Throw
in veteran actors Kathy Bates and Terry Bradshaw and to round
up the cast.
If
there is this part of you that has long lost interest in watching
human actors interact, watch out for some very entertaining
performances from animals like a mockingbird, a dolphin and
a very cute mountain lizard.
It helps that the picture clocks in a total runtime of 97
minutes. The necessary materials are presented without any
redundancy. Everything is straight to the point without being
unnecessarily self-indulgent.
Director
Tom Dey does the job with his limited filmography, but it
is an acceptable one nonetheless. The movie makes for great
viewing with your other half, preferably if you are still
not married.
Worst
case scenario: Just watch it alone like this reviewer at the
comfort of his own room; because you know that Mum will always
be there around the house for you, should you need anything.
SPECIAL
FEATURES :
The Code 3 disc does provide a fair amount of extra
features to complement the movie. But remember, quantity does
not always equate to quality.
Casting Off: The Making of Failure to Launch
– This 12-minute segment features interviews from the
director, cast and writers of the movie. Like many other making-ofs,
everyone says nice things about each other, and of course,
the movie.
The Failure to Launch Phenomenon – This feature
tries to convince me that it is alright living with my parents.
Of course it is, you self-believing Americans! (no offence
intended) The 11-minute segment interviews people across all
ages to seek their views regarding grown-up men like this
reviewer who still lives with their parents. It pretends to
be analytical, but oh well; it did provide some amusement
for a while.
Dating in the New Millennium – Another seemingly
in-depth feature that aims to explore how people date each
other in today’s high-tech world, and why some of us
unfortunate souls are still single. Authors and fashion magazine
editors (all female!) are interviewed in this 7-minute segment,
and I sense some sense of unfriendly mockery. But then again,
maybe I’m just oversensitive.
Moviefone.com Unscripted with Matthew and Terry –
A 13-minute segment where McConaughey and Bradshaw interview
each other. These two grown men have great chemistry with
each other. It is very funny seeing two grown men talking
about having to be nude in movies. Crude to some, disturbing
to others, but amusing to us.
The Failure to Launch Contest – There
is actually a contest in America where people who still live
with their parents can take part in conjunction with this
movie. The three finalists are interviewed in this 6-minute
feature, and surprise surprise, the eventual winner is a 29-year-old,
hold your breaths – woman! There is hope in me yet.
Trailers – Included are the movie’s theatrical
trailer and J.J. Abrams’ Mission: Impossible III DVD
trailer.
AUDIO/VISUAL:
The visual and audio transfers
are fine, but then again, for a romantic romp-com like this,
you don’t really need to ask for that much. Language
options include English and Thai Digital Dolby 5.1.
MOVIE
RATING:
DVD
RATING:
Review
by John Li
|
