She's Out of My League is a 2010 American romantic comedy film directed by Jim Field Smith in his feature directorial debut, and written by Sean Anders and John Morris. It stars Jay Baruchel as an average man who begins a relationship with an attractive woman, played by Alice Eve, which is warned by his friends that it is doomed to fall apart because of their differing appearances. T.J. Miller, Mike Vogel, Nate Torrence, Krysten Ritter, Geoff Stults, and Lindsay Sloane also star.
It was filmed in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with production finishing in 2008. She's Out of My League released on March 12, 2010, by 20th Century Fox's Fox Searchlight Pictures. The film grossed $49.8 million on a $20 million budget, but received mixed reviews from critics.
Plot[]
Kirk Kettner is a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agent at Pittsburgh International Airport. His ex-girlfriend Marnie has retained a relationship with his dysfunctional family, being at his parent's home with her current boyfriend, Ron. Kirk attempts to reconcile with her, despite having broken up two years ago, and Ron being present. Back at his job, an attractive and successful woman named Molly McCleish arrives at the terminal to board a flight. Kirk is the only TSA agent who does not ogle her, then saves her from his boss's harassment. After boarding, she realizes she left her cell phone at security, then when her friend Patty calls Molly's cell number, Kirk answers. Molly and Kirk arrange to meet the following day at the Andy Warhol Museum, so he can give Molly her phone.
The next evening, Kirk and his friend Devon arrive at the museum. Molly invites them to stay at the party. Molly's clumsy sister Katie bumps into Kirk, causing him to spill his drink on the museum director. Kirk takes responsibility for the mishap, yet the director kicks them out. As Kirk and Devon leave the building, Molly follows them outside. Grateful that Kirk took the hit so that her sister was not fired, she offers Kirk tickets to a Pittsburgh Penguins hockey game. Kirk brings his friend Stainer to the game, where they see Molly and meet her friend Patty, then all sit together. While Stainer and Molly are away from their seats, Patty tells Kirk that Molly is interested in him.
Molly asks Kirk out a few days later and he agrees. Stainer predicts that their relationship will fail—he considers Molly a "10" and Kirk a "5", and that the numerical "chasm" between them is too big. Meanwhile, Patty thinks Molly has chosen Kirk only because he is "safe" and will not hurt her. On their date, Kirk tells Molly that he dreams of being a pilot. Molly tells him she almost became a lawyer before realizing her love for event planning. At the end of the night, they kiss in Kirk's car.
Molly accompanies Kirk to a family lunch, where she charms the men and makes Marnie jealous. After returning to Molly's apartment, while making out, Kirk ejacul*tes prematurely in his pants moments before Molly's parents unexpectedly arrive. Desperate to conceal the stain on his pants, Kirk will not stand to shake hands with Molly's father, and leaves quickly. Believing he fled to avoid interacting with her parents, Molly ignores Kirk's calls. Kirk tracks her down, embarrassingly explains why he had to go, and she forgives him.
In conversation with Molly, Kirk suggests that Molly host a party for her sister Katie's 21st birthday. At the party, Kirk is troubled by Molly being intentionally vague about Kirk's line of work to her parents. Molly's ex-boyfriend Cam, a stunt pilot, then arrives and alludes to Molly having a physical defect. After the party, they return to Molly's apartment and partially undress. Kirk discovers Molly's "defect" is slightly webbed toes, which Kirk considers so minor that he decides that she is indeed too perfect for him. Upset with Kirk over his insecurities, Molly tells him that Cam had also had her on a pedestal, then he cheated on her. She confesses that she asked Kirk out because she considered him safe, causing Kirk to break up with her. Kirk resumes his relationship with Marnie and makes plans to attend a family vacation in Branson together.
Later, Stainer asks his ex-girlfriend why she left him, and she says his insecurities were a turn-off. Realizing he caused Kirk and Molly's break-up by telling Kirk that Molly was too good for him, Stainer phones Patty and gets her to bring Molly to the airport. Stainer tries to get Kirk off the plane he has boarded, but to no avail. He has Jack stop the plane, causing everyone to have to de-board. Kirk flees from Marnie, who chases after him, and Kirk breaks up with her in the process. Kirk meets Molly at the terminal gate, where she confesses Kirk's insecurities about himself are justified, but that she wants to be with him regardless. They reconcile and resume their relationship. Later, Kirk surprises Molly with a mystery trip to Cleveland via small aircraft, revealing that he has fulfilled his dream of becoming a pilot.
Cast[]
- Jay Baruchel as Kirk Kettner, a nerdy and skinny TSA agent.
- Alice Eve as Molly McCleish, a beautiful and successful party planner, who falls in love with Kirk.
- T. J. Miller as Wendell "Stainer", Kirk's friend, who ranks everyone 0-10 and refers to Kirk as a "5" and Molly as a "10".
- Nate Torrence as Devon, Kirk's sensitive friend, who married the only girl he kissed.
- Mike Vogel as Jack, Kirk's athletic and handsome friend who provides helpful advice to Kirk.
- Lindsay Sloane as Marnie, Kirk's promiscuous former girlfriend, who always despised him until he started dating Molly.
- Krysten Ritter as Patty, Molly's sarcastic best friend.
- Geoff Stults as Cam, Molly's ex-boyfriend and stunt pilot.
- Kyle Bornheimer as Dylan Kettner, Kirk's older brother who has always bullied him.
- Jessica St. Clair as Debbie, Dylan's fiancé, who also bullies Kirk.
- Debra Jo Rupp as Mrs. Kettner, Dylan and Kirk's mother.
- Adam LeFevre as Mr. Kettner, Dylan and Kirk's father.
- Kim Shaw as Katie McCleish, Molly's sister.
- Sharon Maughan as Mrs. McCleish, Molly and Katie's mother.
- Trevor Eve as Mr. McCleish, Molly and Katie's father.
- Jasika Nicole as Wendy
- Hayes MacArthur as Ron, Dylan's best friend.
- Andy Daly as Mr. Fuller
- Robin Shorr as Tina Jordan, Stainer's love interest.
- Yan Xi as Karen, Devon's wife.
Production[]
Principal photography commenced on March 31, 2008, at the Mellon Arena, now the former home of the Pittsburgh Penguins hockey team. Filming continued in various locations around Pittsburgh until the end of May 2008, including the Pittsburgh International Airport, The Andy Warhol Museum, Mount Washington, the downtown Regional Enterprise Tower, PNC Park, Market Square, and Century III. Area sound stages were also used. Pluma's Restaurant in Irwin, Pennsylvania was used for bar scenes when shooting at Mellon Arena became impossible due to the Penguins' advancement to the 2008 Stanley Cup Finals. The film was co-produced by Jimmy Miller of Mosaic Media Group, a native of Castle Shannon, Pennsylvania and the brother of comedian Dennis Miller.
Molly's parents, Mr. and Mrs. McCleish, are played by Alice Eve's real-life parents, Sharon Maughan and Trevor Eve.
