SHE'S OUT OF MY LEAGUE

Directed by Jim Field Smith
Written by Sean Anders and John Morris
Stars: Jay Baruchel, Alice Eve, T.J Miller, Mike Vogel, Nate Torrence

This amiable, if slightly saccharine sex comedy (scripted by Sean Anders and John Morris who co-wrote the upcoming Hot Tub Time Machine) tells the story of Kirk (Jay Baruchel) an airport security guard who meets the beautiful Molly (Alice Eve) and through a series of events, summons the courage to ask her out on a date. Kirk’s slacker work colleagues Stainer (T.J Miller), Jack (Cloverfield’s Mike Vogel) and Devon (Nate Torrence) do their best to chip away at his self confidence by telling him that Molly’s a “hard 10” and that he is, at most, a “5”. Kirk’s insecurities begin to come to the fore; firstly as he introduces his new girlfriend to his deranged, dysfunctional family, then as he meets Molly’s fighter pilot ex who presumes Kirk is her new gay friend. It’s the presumptions of others that Kirk has to deal with if he’s to win Molly’s heart and his struggles with his deficiencies are very funny. Baruchel plays essentially the same character he played in the Judd Apatow produced TV series Undeclared and makes for a sweet, amiable lead. Actor-turned-first time director Jim Field Smith has cast the roles solidly and draws the characters well enough to provide some decent moments of comedy. Its final moments settle into formulaic rom-com territory and the dynamic of Kirk’s friends giving him unreliable relationship advice seems to be lifted straight from The 40 Year Old Virgin but it’s still an enjoyable ride with a cheerfully funny and realistic edge.