SummaryTripp (McConaughey) has never been able to leave the nest. He's always had some reason or other, but now, his desperate parents (Bradshaw, Bates) have had enough. They hire the gorgeous and talented girl of his dreams (Parker) to get him to move out of the house. (Paramount Pictures)
Directed By:Tom Dey
Written By:Tom J. Astle, Matt Ember
Failure to Launch
Metascore
Mixed or Average
47
User score
Mixed or Average
5.3
My Score
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Top Cast
Metascore
Mixed or Average
47
23% Positive
7 Reviews
7 Reviews
52% Mixed
16 Reviews
16 Reviews
26% Negative
8 Reviews
8 Reviews
88
This is a guy comedy being mismarketed as a chick flick, complete with a poster that looks like a page from Lucky magazine.
75
"The Family Stone" did nothing for Parker, but Failure to Launch makes a strong case for life after "Sex and the City."
User score
Mixed or Average
5.3
20% Positive
9 Ratings
9 Ratings
61% Mixed
27 Ratings
27 Ratings
18% Negative
8 Ratings
8 Ratings
Apr 3, 2025
6
-Failure to Launch’s best element is definitely the cast. I think the leads (the aforementioned McConaughey and Sarah Jessica Parker) are cast very well in their respective roles. I enjoyed their performances - both were funny, had good comedic timing and have that undeniable star quality. The shared chemistry between the two was believable for sure, but I wouldn’t say it was anything special. The supporting cast were all fun to watch too, with the absolute scene-stealers being McConaughey’s onscreen parents Terry Bradshaw and Kathy Bates. The score in Failure to Launch was very romantic and **** and definitely set the tone for this rom-com. Overall, Failure to Launch has a very nostalgic, distinctly 2000’s feel. I can’t really explain what that is, but if you know, you know. Some of the comedy on display in Failure to Launch worked. Yet on the other hand, some of it didn’t. It was a really mixed bag for me. The slapstick/physical comedy scenes were the moments when the film felt truly unfunny. As well as this, both the main characters have questionable, some may even argue cruel, morals. I couldn’t get on board with a lot of the decisions made. All in all, Failure to Launch does what it says on the tin. It’s a cutesy romantic comedy which ties up nicely at the end without the stakes ever being too high. It’s a decent rom-com, but definitely not the best out there. If you like any of the cast then I would suggest giving this one a go, but if not then you can probably skip it.
Oct 12, 2013
5
It`s an ok movie, with a unique twist, but it failed to Launch anything to grab my attention for to long.I think it`s worth watching, but it`s just an avr. Romance/comedy flick.I will say more original than most.
50
Deschanel may not be as brilliant as the great comedian Gracie Allen (and, at any rate, it's too soon to tell). But her Rube Goldberg timing (which only seems indirect) and blissfully zonked demeanor suggest the spirit of Allen. She's the only actor in Failure to Launch who isn't earthbound; she leaves everyone else in the dust simply by hanging back.
50
Deschanel, as the token oddball of the gang, runs off with the movie.
42
Somehow the screwball concoction does not jell. The stars are pleasant but unexciting, the goofy ensemble has a few moments of hilarity but never catches fire, the laughs are very scattered and the film's title is a self-fulfilling prophecy.
38
Cursed with an honest title, Failure to Launch waves a white flag in scene after scene, declaring surrender. We give up! We do not know how to make a decent mainstream romantic comedy!
25
During the course of Failure to Launch, characters are bitten by a chipmunk, a dolphin, a lizard and a mockingbird. I am thinking my hardest why this is considered funny, and I confess defeat.
Jan 18, 2011
5
Not terrible but definitely not one I would watch again. McConaughey lost points in my mind after this one. It had some funny moments but far too few.
Nov 8, 2012
3
In order for romantic cheese to appeal to me, it either has to be funny, or least feature a likable enough actress to where I care whether they find happiness or not. It's not funny, and Sarah Jessica Parker looks like a horse.
Production Company:
- Paramount Pictures
- Scott Rudin Productions
- Aversano Films
- Failure to Launch Productions
Release Date:Mar 10, 2006
Duration:1 h 37 m
Rating:PG-13
Tagline:To leave the nest, some men just need a little push.
Awards
Teen Choice Awards
• 2 Nominations
Kids' Choice Awards, USA
• 1 Nomination
People's Choice Awards, USA
• 1 Nomination
