She’s Out of My League

ALICE EVE AND JAY BARUCHEL, playing characters Molly and Kirk, have a romantic evening disrupted by one of Eve’s ex-boyfriends. photo courtesy of http://www.collider.com

“She’s Out of My League” isn’t your typical romantic comedy. Hitting theaters on March 12, the film asks that age-old question—is it possible for a drop-dead gorgeous “10” to fall for a meager-looking “5”?

But filmmakers insist it isn’t just a “geek gets hot girl” flick. The movie has an emotional core, according to first-time director Jim Field Smith.

“I really loved the script because the comedy came from the characters rather than being pure formula,” Field Smith said in production notes provided to The Times-Delphic.

The movie explores the relationship between awkward Kirk and beautiful Molly. Molly loses her cell phone at airport security as she’s trying to catch a flight. Lucky for her, Kirk is a TSA agent at the airport and finds her phone. He gets it back to her in one piece, and she’s so overwhelmed with gratitude that she asks him out on a date.

Kirk can’t believe his dumb luck. But what starts off as a twist of fate soon blossoms into a ro­mance between Kirk and Molly—much to the surprise of Kirk’s friends and the chagrin of Molly’s family.

Jay Baruchel, playing Kirk, is no stranger to comedies. His film credits include roles in “Tropic Thunder” and “Knocked Up.” Lately, however, he’s been entering the mainstream with leading roles in “She’s Out of My League,” as well as the upcoming “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” with Nicolas Cage.

“Kirk is the epitome of the ‘everyman,’” Baruchel said. “It’s easy to stereotype a character like that by making him a nerd. But Kirk is happy doing his thing; he doesn’t have any great overriding ambition.”

Where the problems arise for Kirk, Baruchel said, is when he and Molly start having a relation­ship.

“The guy who was comfortable in his own skin suddenly starts being insecure and paranoid,” Baruchel said.

Alice Eve, who plays Molly, said the real challenge for her was to be the “perfect girl.”

“I’ve never felt under so much pressure in my entire life,” Eve said. “It’s an incredibly tenuous position to be in.”

Most of Eve’s acting background—in contrast to Baruchel’s comedic roles—consists of Broad­way productions and in London’s West End. She said it was a nice change of pace to try a romantic comedy.

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Century 20 Jordan Creek Theater

101 Jordan Creek Parkway

West Des Moines