“Failure to Launch” hit the silver screen last weekend with resounding success. It was number one at the box office, despite reviewers panning it. Of course, most of us who enjoy romantic comedies want to watch Matthew McConaughey regardless of what critics have to say, right?

I am always up for a good romantic comedy. Actually, I’m usually up for a bad one as well. As long as I like the actors despite the script or as long as I like the script despite the actors, in either case I’m not usually all that picky as long as I’m entertained. (While this holds true for my taste in romantic comedies it’s not the case for all genres. Comedies are either funny or they’re not, drama’s are either good or not. You get the point).

So back to “Failure to Launch.” The film stars McConaughey as Trip, a 35-year-old man still living at home with his parents. While his parents, Al and Sue, (played by Terry Bradshaw and Kathy Bates) love their son, they are more than ready for an empty nest. It’s revealed at a backyard bar-b-que that Al and Sue’s friends all have the same problem: Apparently there is a whole community of 30-something slackers who still live at home with their parents. One couple announces that they have finally managed to get their son out of their home by hiring the services of Paula (Sarah Jessica Parker). Al and Sue hire Paula to pose as Trip’s dream girl in order to lure him out of the house.

When things don’t work out quite as Paula planned, she discovers that there is more to this “case” than she ever could have known.

Zooey Deschanel (think “Elf”) costars as Paula’s quirky and brooding roommate, and adds a dark comedy that is rarely found in bright eyed, bushy tailed romantic comedies.

Overall I found “Failure to Launch” an enjoyable flick. The basic premise is original, but also far fetched. I could have done without the idea that there is a whole group of 35-year-old men still living at home, but, in the end, the story finds a way to offer at least some explanation for that.

The relationship between Bradshaw and Bates is one of the best parts about this movie. Bates plays her usual brash character while Bradshaw gets comfortable on screen...maybe a little too comfortable. Viewers get an unexpected and unwanted view of Bradshaw’s back side free of any clothing.

McConaughey and Parker are the quintessential stars of this romantic comedy. Parker is adorable and gives her “Sex and the City” fans the Carrie Bradshaw fix they’ve been looking for, and McConaughey is as good looking and charming as ever with his southern drawl.

This film isn’t life changing, it doesn’t really have any intention for a deeper message and it won’t win any Oscars, but it is a fun way to spend an hour and forty minutes on a Friday evening.

**1/2

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