This Week at the Movies: She’s Out of My League

I love giggling at Jay Baruchel’s apologetic, q-tip-blowing-in-the-wind stance as much as the next person, but unfortunately his adorable and geeky charm is not enough to boost this film into lasting memory. Following the trend of group male-bonding movies that has been sweeping Hollywood for the past half decade, She’s Out of My League features a cast of caricatured twenty-something men who constantly make fun of each other. Unlike Judd Apatow’s regular crew though, this foursome lacks the charisma that charms an audience into loving them despite their ridiculous qualities. The fact is that I really wouldn’t want to hang out with these TSA workers.

Speaking of which, these guys (Kirk, Stainer, Jack and Devon) work in menial airport security jobs. Is it in bad taste to portray security workers as reckless, self-serving and lazy people? I would say not necessarily, if the portrayal of them were thoughtful or provocative. Honestly though, the many airport scenes seem superfluous and cartoony. It is irreverent in a bad way – in that the situations come off as careless and incidental. An example of irreverent in a good way: Love Actually’s triumphant airport scene. Triumph is utterly lacking in this film, though. At its very peak, we get a sheepish hint that once in a while, good things happen to pretty average people.

The problem that lies at the heart of this film’s ability to perform (pun intended) is the lack of chemistry between the two romantic leads. Independently, they both bring their characters to life in very appealing and real ways. Jay Baruchel is wonderfully insecure and ironic. Alice Eve as Molly, the perfect 10 girlfriend, is vulnerable and relatable. All the slightly hackneyed content and banter of this film relies on the connection between these two characters… and we just don’t quite buy it. Their tandem screen time seems strained and lacking any fire. No matter if they’re awkwardly talking on their first date or kissing intimately – the fact is that they are just unsettling to watch together.

All in all, this movie encapsulates the bromantic comedy style that’s recently become classic. Instead of boosting that style with new and surprising zaniness, director Jim Field Smith seems content to coast by on fake laughs and modest box office earnings. With a lackluster cast, predictable script and two leads that can’t quite sell the idea that a “10” can fall for a “5,” this movie falls short of impressing. Here’s to hoping that writers Sean Anders and John Morris did a better job with the soon to be released Hot Tub Time Machine. She’s Out of My League is now playing at Hamilton Theater.