REVIEW: ‘She’s Out Of My League’
The “zero-to-hero” story is a classic movie trope, with roots back as far as the dawn of cinema. However, it has rarely been given as likely, or likable, “zero” than Jay Baruchel in “She’s Out Of My League.” The new comedy from first time director Jim Field Smith is equal parts broad slapstick, honest modern romance, and awkward family and friend interaction, and a solid cast and nimble writing makes the whole thing mesh flawlessly.
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RCC Rating: Worth Full Price On Opening Weekend |
Baruchel plays Kirk, a nebbish twentysomething accustomed to getting trampled on in his job, a TSA agent; his home, where his parents and brother have zero respect for him; and his love life, where his ex-girlfriend still comes around to his home daily – with her new boyfriend.
Kirk’s fortunes change when he rescues a phone for Molly, an attractive event planner (Alice Eve), who finds Kirk charming – and a departure from her previous boyfriends, who are historically just as hot as she is. While Kirk has a hard time coming to grips with Molly’s interest, his friends and family are even more dumbfounded. The largest hurdle winds up being Kirk’s own self-doubt – after decades of being told he’s simply not good enough to land any girl of quality, the prototypical “dream girl” is here to stay, as long as he doesn’t screw it up.
The audience may have as tough of a time accepting Molly’s motives, but the chemistry Eve and Baruchel have on screen is enough to silence any doubts for the on-screen couple. They lead a cast that is simply solid throughout – T.J. Miller, Mike Vogel and Nate Torrence kill as Kirk’s trio of close friends, Krysten Ritter is dynamite as Molly’s acerbic best friend, and Lindsey Sloane is deliciously bitchy as Kirk’s ex, Marnie. Back to Baruchel: he’s having an amazing stretch of roles. From the plebian Sandusky in “Tropic Thunder,” to starring roles in “League” and a vocal lead in the upcoming “How To Train Your Dragon,” Jay Baruchel is an unlikely leading man, but a highly capable one. He’s note-perfect as Kirk.
The script, by Sean Anders and John Morris, is simply brilliant. In particular, there’s one scene between Baruchel and Torrence, involving personal grooming, that comes in so far from left field and is executed so effortlessly that it will leave you gasping for air from laughing. Like many scenes in the movie, you’ll be talking about it for quite a while.
Sure, it’s easy to get caught up in the whole “She’s a 10, I’m a 5″ bit, as the movie’s marketing onslaught would have you believe. However, at its core, “She’s Out Of My League” is about bringing the “hero” out of the “zero.” Do not miss this movie.
