Average Joe gets a go

Seriously, if I don’t see a bad movie soon people are going to start thinking I’m a pussy film critic. I truly haven’t seen a bad film this year. There have been some mediocre ones, hello Crazy Heart and Alice In Wonderland, but there hasn’t been any sacrilegious, mind-fucking bombs like Transformers 2: Revenge Of The Fallen. I guess Dear John was pretty close, but no cigar. It must be that Oscar-related time of year, so I’m holding out for Clash Of The Titans to bring the overall calibre of 2010 releases down a few notches.After watching the trailer for She’s Out Of My League, I figured it might be the one bring the movie hatin’. Surprisingly, it didn’t.

The film centres on an average Joe, Kirk (Jay Baruchel), who by chance meets the perfect woman Molly (Alice) (as pictured above, awwww). As their friendship develops in to something more, his lack of confidence and the influence of his friends and family begin to pick away at the relationship.

It is a simple enough concept and for the most part it works due to the charming performances from Baruchel and the supporting cast. After scene-stealing roles in Tropic Thunder and Knocked Up, and voicing the lead character in How To Train Your Dragon, Baruchel gets a well-deserved starring role in this comedy. Like a cross between Nicholas Cage and John Cusack, he is a quirky leading man to watch.
The colourful array of characters that make up the friends and family in the story provide much of the comedy, particularly stand-up comedian T.J. Miller (far right) as the abrupt, loud-mouthed member of Kirk's posse. He has some of the throw away lines and his explanation of a `moddle’ (man poddle) is hilarious. Nate Torrence (far left), Alice Eve and Krysten Ritter are also stand-outs.

Although marketed at the American Pie audience, this is more substantial than the frat-boy franchise, yet not quite as good as last year's sleeper hit The Hangover.
Formulaic in parts, She's Out My League exceeds the constraints of the genre by looking at the greater issue behind the story; self-esteem and the respect we have for ourselves. Plus, there’s some good dick jokes balanced out with a spot of romance.

She's Out Of My League is released in cinemas next Thursday, April 1.