She’s Out Of My League

She’s Out Of My League is one of those movie titles that say it all. If you can get past the crude language and vulgarity, it is really a sweet film. But don’t tell the guys that. The story centers on Kirk (Jay Baruchel-Super Bad) who works at the airport with his other underachieving friends, Stainer (T.J. Miller), Jack (Mike Vogel) and Devon (Nate Torrence). One day, he makes a grand gesture and impresses a beautiful blonde girl (Alice Eve) who reciprocates by inviting him to a party. His self-esteem is so low that he can’t even wrap his mind around the idea that she may be interested in him. So he consults with his friends. They confirm that she is totally out of his league so he accepts the invitation as a thank you gesture. But when she asks him out again, he becomes confused. She keeps sending him signals, but he lets The Guy’s influence cloud his perceptions. Until he realizes his own worth, he’s never going to be able to see what she sees.

Kirk has still not recovered from his last break-up. If you remember Lindsay Sloane as Big Red from Bring It On, she is back at her bitchy best. Even after two years Kirk still wants to get back with her, but she throws it in his face. But when the beautiful Molly shows up, Marnie sees Kirk in a whole new light. Unfortunately for her, after a few dates with Molly, he sees Marnie in a new light, too.

Even though the dialogue was a little too crude for my taste, I did appreciate the memorable characters. Stainer is a legend in his own mind, Jack is a dating guru, and Devon is an incurable romantic. Molly’s friends are fun, too. Krysten Ritter plays Molly’s associate and she is brutal with men. Kim Shaw plays Molly’s little sister and Geoff Stults plays Molly’s ex-boyfriend Cam. He is a pilot and would make any guy insecure.

One of my favorite moments in the film is when Kirk brings Molly home to meet his family. Debra Jo Rupp is so thrilled that her son brought home such a beautiful girl that she jumps and claps like she’s on a game show. His father, played by Adam LeFerve, is dumbstruck. Only when he is jabbed in the ribs does his jaw snap closed. His older bully of a brother (Kyle Bornheimer) is incredulous. He is determined to make his brother look foolish as possible. And his brother’s pregnant fiancé is almost as much of a bully as he is.

For any guy who has ever been picked on, teased, or ridiculed by his friends, you are going to identify with this film. Whether the message is lost on you is another thing. Boys are clueless when it comes to girls and what they are looking for in a guy. If you learn anything it’s that your friends are just as ignorant as you are. Don’t give them too much credit.

Rating: Second Run Crude, rude, and sweet, what a combination