Review: She’s Out of My League

Paramount presents a film directed by Jim Field Smith. Written by Sean Anders and John Morris. Running time: 106 minutes. Rated R (for language and sexual content).

Can a regular guy date a “hard 10” and come out on top? That’s the question asked by a half raucous, half sweet new comedy about Joe Average falling for a knockout only to be stricken by insecurities when he discovers she likes him too.

Hapless Pittsburgh airport safety agent Kirk (Jay Baruchel) has been dumped by his former flame (Lindsay Sloane) and according to his best buds, has the demeanor of a “man poodle”—the death knell for dating. Devon (Nate Torrence) is a married, straight-arrow in leisure suits; Stainer (T.J. Miller) a would-be lady-killer in a Hall & Oates cover band; and Jack (Mike Vogel) a ground control smooth operator. They’re a merry band of misfits, with the exception of miscast and good looking Vogel, an actor who has graced the cover of Men’s Health magazine and is known primarily for All-American hunkiness.

When Molly, a hottie with a world-class body, leaves her cell phone at the security checkpoint, the pair are mutually attracted. While her body precedes her, she also turns to be nice, warm and genuinely into him—and to the dismay of her best friend (Krysten Ritter, very funny), they are soon snuggling at Penguins games and candle-lit dinners. Molly is an upwardly mobile event planner (and former attorney) with a perfect ex (Geoff Stults) and future prospects. Kirk is an uneducated nice guy with dashed dreams of flight school.

The film gets comic mileage out of in-law set-ups, particularly when Molly meets Kirk’s parents and the rest of his motley brood, including a crass brother (Kyle Bornheimer) and his broad fiancée (Jessica St. Clair). Infinitely patient Molly tolerates sexual slurs and come-ons, as well as general ineptness of a family a few notches down the food chain from her own. But that’s okay with her, because she is looking for a change of pace, and that becomes increasingly harder for Kirk to accept when his insecurities about being a “5” take over. Why would a girl like Molly be interested in him, he wonders? It’s in this discussion that She’s Out of My League, often perfectly situated as a slapstick romp, becomes increasingly thoughtful.

No doubt many will dismiss the film outright, but She’s Out of My League works because the cast works hard. Baruchel has a gawky charm and avoids playing Kirk as a crass stereotype. His late scenes with Eve, including a botched sexual encounter, are sensitive enough to make it work.

The film doesn’t shy away from a few gross-out gags regarding premature ejaculation, a pesky family dog, humiliating relatives and a very funny—and very low—pubic shaving scene that had me laughing in spite of all I know to be right about comedies.

But there’s also a cheeriness and inspired lunacy present in all of the supporting turns that clues you in that these are smart people playing dumb people, smartly. I had a good time with this little picture, and while I don’t want to oversell its modest merits, you could do worse for a mainstream comedy—Leap Year and When in Rome come to mind. Unpretentious and sweet, She’s Out of My League is an enjoyable time passer.

Kirk Jay Baruchel
Molly Alice Eve
Stainer T.J. Miller
Jack Mike Vogel
Devon Nate Torrence
Marnie Lindsay Sloane
Dylan Kyle Bornheimer
Mrs. Kettner Debra Jo Rupp
Mr. Kettner Adam LeFevre

-Lee Shoquist