She’s Out of My League is not big on originality, yet it scores points for addressing self esteem and body image issues amongst young males.

While body image is often associated with women, especially young girls keen to match the photo-shopped physiques of pop-starlets who feature in a long line of teen beauty magazines, it is an issue which affects males in much the same way. Only, their plight has been stifled by the power of the self containing mal machismo and a less than interested media.

The casting of Jay Baruchel in the lead role works since he is both a symbol of modern geekism (aka fanboy) and as an anti-leading man.

His role as Kirk, a totally likeable airport security worker undervalued by his family and friends, will hopefully cap off the talented young Canuck’s streak of nerdy roles. That is until he is cast as Gillian in the forthcoming film adaptation of Gilligan’s Island. Come on, who wouldn’t want to see Baruchel play Gilligan to Seth Rogen’s Skipper?

The films plot and momentum stems from the unlucky in love Kirk’s amazement at landing hip and beautiful Molly. She is played by Alice Eve, a stunningly beautiful British actress who fulfils the “perfect 10” requirement needed to make her role work.

In their paring, Kirk’s family and friends firmly believe that they are watching a live version of The Twilight Zone played out in front of them, with best friend, the aptly named Stainer (T.J. Miller, given all of the best lines) stating repeatedly that the universe is out of order.

Yet the latter couldn’t be further from the truth, with She’s Out of My League firmly a comedy of the Judd Apatow (Knocked Up) mold, with its mix of crude and sentimentality. But more than often there are enough moments to make it worth watching and laugh at.

One of those moments is a key scene where Kirk and Molly undress in front of each other, bringing the main theme home. Here he is, skinny, not so handsome, intimidated by the perfection in front of him, and frustrated that he is not what (he thinks) she deserves.

Sure, She’s Out of My League is crude as hell (not many American comedies aren’t). But in Baruchel it has a sweet centre and a leading man who proves that physical beauty is not needed to headline a rom-com.