“She’s out of my league”… those crushing words have been uttered many times in a variety of awkward social situations ranging from slurred bar speak to side-by-side urinal talk. That phrase may be damning, ego-deflating and self-deprecating, but somehow it still doesn’t stop 10s from locking arms with 5s. Come on be honest… when you see a 10 with a 5: first base is money, second base is prostitution, third base is the 10’s in Hell and a home run – well, how often does that happen?

So what if it really did happen to a brother, an imaginary friend, a lover… or that “friend” with herpes? Would you believe it for one minute and more importantly, would you be a supportive buddy or a doomsday prophet? Well, that’s where Kirk (Jay Baruchel) finds himself caught between his loser airport security friends, underachieving family and Molly (Alice Eve), a perfect 10 in Tsssshh… “Margaret Thatcher naked on a cold day! Margaret Thatcher naked on a cold day!” …She’s Out of My League.

Catch the rest of the review and the trailer after the jump…

After Kirk loses his “longtime” girlfriend, his destiny is set to change as a drop dead gorgeous 10 named Molly forgets her iPhone in that plastic x-ray container at the airport security check. Kirk, the only security guy not to pass out upon her arrival, contacts her to make a rendezvous at an exclusive party and the rest as they say is history… but if it’s up to those closest to them, it won’t be long before their romance really does become history.

While She’s Out of My League does bowl one or two American Pie gutter balls featuring premature ejaculation (see movie trailer) and a pubic trim (not recommended), these moments are short-lived and actually quite funny. The “poor” vocabulary is responsible for the greater part of its age restriction, yet the overall tone is actually quite sweet sponging the majority of the filth. Jay Baruchel also goes a long way to cleaning up the teen comedy residue with a nice guy performance you can’t help but like. You may even catch yourself rooting for the underdog, thinking “so what if he gets the girl, he’s paid his dues in public pubic embarrassment and it’s time nerds finish first?”

♫ Why do birds suddenly appear? Every time you are near. ♫

Baruchel recently voiced Hiccup in How to Train Your Dragon and is probably best remembered for his roles in Fanboys and Knocked Up. He’s a regular Joe Average and it’s difficult to think of an adequate replacement once he’s leached himself to a character. Alice Eve, yet another Australian beauty, fills in for There’s Something About Mary’s Cameron Diaz as the gorgeous unattainable girl of Kirk’s dreams (cue wind fans).

You may recognise most of her from Crossing Borders, where she shared a series of sex scenes with Ray Liotta or perhaps her performance in Starter for 10 opposite James McAvoy. (Shame, this one’s more like Starter for 10.) The most surprising performance comes from comedian T.J. Miller as Stainer, who steals every scene he’s in with his comic bravado and “Ferrelesque” demeanor… it’s a word.

You wouldn’t think it, but She’s Out of My League marks writer Jim Field Smith’s directorial feature debut after a series of comedy shorts.  It may not have any big name stars, but really outdoes itself as a romantic comedy with all these star-in-the-making performances. This is light, easy-going entertainment that is likable for its character, ridiculous nice-guys-finish-first message and general optimism when it comes to outgrowing your predestined league. She’s Out of My League has the typical formulaic elements of any Hollywood comedy in this genre, but it comes across as a sweeter, less hair gel version of There’s Something About Mary.

The film welds a series of laugh-out-loud set pieces together to form an ’80s style romance comedy with a fresh batch of comedy. Baruchel succeeds as the film’s lead and the other stars all wave their hands up in their air for tickets to future feature comedies. It’s a little prickly at times for those unfamiliar with the antics of American Pie and There’s Something About Mary, but the greater part is easily accessible and genuinely funny – adding up to a light, enjoyable and rewatchable piece of comic entertainment. It starts off a little slow, but once it takes off you’ll feel like you’re literally walking on air without a safety net or parachute.

The bottom line: Entertaining.

Release Date: 25 June, 2010

Watch She’s Out of My League Trailer

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