DVD Review: Girl Next Door, The (B)

The Girl Next Door (2004)
Directed by Luke Greenfield
Starring Emile Hirsch, Elisha Cuthbert, Timothy Olyphant and James Remar
MPAA: UR
Grade: B

Review by Bobby Nashville

At times, The Girl Next Door reminds you of those great John Cusack high school movies where finding a girl to call your own was all that mattered in life. Emile Hirsch plays Matthew Kidman, a somewhat geeky teen that is trying to break out of his shell. A beautiful girl moves in next door, and that's about all he needs.

Complicating matters for Matthew is the girl next door's background. She was a porn star and she's trying to return to some semblance of "normal life". However, can Matthew deal with the reality of her past? His buddies go completely nuts when they learn the news and their influence confuses Matthew.

The acting in The Girl Next Door is surprisingly good, especially the young Elisa Cuthbert. The story is very original and I was never quite sure where the story would turn next. My big complaint with the film was the length. The unrated version that I saw ran for 109 minutes but really felt longer than that. A little editing here and there could have brought this film in under 100 minutes.

Cute, very original and well acted, The Girl Next Door is a pleasant surprise. If you are looking for a good high school comedy, definitely gives this one a spin.

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