The title is a phrase to denote that the son has not left the family nest, even if he has a good job and is in his mid-30s.  He is still there with his parents – and they really want him to launch.

Matthew McConaughey is the breezy boat salesman who finds that his devoted parents look after him so well that there is no reason for him to go elsewhere.  He has two slacker-like friends who seem to be in a similar unlaunched situation and encourage him.  Meanwhile his parents hear from friends that there is a woman who has a system to make all systems go – from home.  They hire her – and, of course, you know what happens.  But, not without some romantic interludes along the way before disaster occurs.  He finds out.  Will they, won’t they?  And what are parents for, and friends, except to bring to star-crossed lovers together.

On that slender but light plot, Failure to Launch builds a pleasant romantic comedy.  Matthew McConaughey gives his performance yet again.  Sarah Jessica Parker (recuperating after being the hate-object of everyone in The Family Stone) walks supremely confident through her system – until she falls in love.  Clearly, she and he have to do a lot of re-thinking about their life-styles and their values before the happy ending.   Kathy Bates is the mother and Terry Bradshaw is the interestingly unconventional father.

Despite all the critical jokes about the film based on its title, it did take off and has proven popular.

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