Movie Review: “She’s Out Of My League”

You’ve seen it before. Maybe you’re in a restaurant enjoying a meal, when you glance across the room and she catches your eye. Sitting, alone, at a table in the bar area, is one of the most beautiful women you’ve ever seen. She seems flawless; so, then, why is she alone? Just as you are about to leave your own date at the table and move in on Ms. Perfect, her company arrives. An average looking guy sits down next to her. They begin a conversation, making light contact every once in a while; leaving you to wonder, who is this guy? Her brother? Gay best friend? Coworker? But then, a kiss. And you realize that she, the most perfect woman you’ve ever seen, is actually romantically attached to him, a guy that even you – with your lackluster physique and poor sense of fashion – could compete with.

And so is the story of She’s Out of My League.

Kirk (Jay Baruchel) is a TSA agent, working security at the Pittsburgh Airport, when he briefly encounters Molly (Alice Eve), an incredibly attractive woman who is rushing to make her flight to New York. Molly forgets her cell phone at security, and Kirk promises to return it to her when she gets back from her trip. As a reward for returning her phone, Molly takes Kirk to a hockey game where the two form a surprising connection and begin dating. As their relationship progresses, Kirk’s insecurities – fueled by constant criticism from family and friends that he isn’t good-looking or successful enough for Molly – take over and he begins to unwittingly sabotage his new relationship.

She’s Out of My League begins promisingly enough, introducing us to Kirk, a likable-loser-type character and his band of misfit friends. Kirk is good-natured and kind-hearted – often to a fault – and most of his shortcomings can be blamed on his ridiculous family. Much of the film’s success can be attributed to Jay Baruchel, who is perfect in his role and is undeniably charming when onscreen. We love this guy and want to root for him. So, it really comes as no surprise to the viewer when Molly falls for him. We already have, so we expect her to as well.

The concept of Kirk is a good one. We, as audience members, understand his appeal, but are also aware of his imprefections and his insecurities about them. Outside factors in the film like his family, friends and societal expectations are all rooted in reality as we know it, so it’s easy to buy into his dilemma. By conventional standards Molly is, in fact, out of his league – but we know, and hope for him to learn, that conventional standards aren’t always correct.

After 30 minutes or so, audiences will be deeply invested in Kirk and the film as a whole.

Tragically, problems arise somewhere in the middle of the second act, when film begins to suffer from an identity crisis: does it want to be a poignant examination of what makes an individual attractive, or does it want to be a typical comedy with no real point to make? Unfortunately the film’s initial promise gives way to the latter, and we are left with a film that plays like it was made by a poor-man’s Judd Apatow.

In the end, She’s Out of My League is still funny, and Baruchel still charms – so the film stays watchable and even somewhat enjoyable until the credits roll, but unfortunately it ultimately feels a bit disappointing. Perhaps if this movie would not have been as refreshingly unconventional out of the gate, its mediocrity at the finish line wouldn’t have been so apparent.