Release Date: April 9, 2004
MPAA Rating: R for strong sexual content, language and some drug/alcohol use
Written and Directed by: Luke Greenfield
Starring: Elisha Cuthbert, Emile Hirsch, Timothy Olyphant, James Remar, Chris Marquette, Paul Dano

Plot:
An ambitious high school senior, Matthew (Hirsch), with dreams of a career in politics is overjoyed to discover that his new neighbor, 19-year-old Danielle (Cuthbert), is absolutely beautiful, and they fall in love quickly, head over heels. Their relationship is put to the test, however when he discovers (along with the rest of the town, eventually) that she used to be a... porn star.

Review:
From its simple story, its sexy style and teen flick feel to it, The Girl Next Door may seem like just another attempt at catching the young audiences attention. That is somewhat correct, but the difference is this attempt succeeds. There is plenty to enjoy in this film and its more than an ordinary flick because it combines interesting characters and a strong premise that is surprising and unpredictable.

Everyone, from the cast to the crew of this film is fairly unknown. With this film they will certainly begin to be more recognizable, especially Director Luke Greenfield who provides the film with a nice touch and has a more than ordinary style. Flashbacks and humor is something Luke put a lot of time and focus into and it shows in the outcome.

Luke Greenfield had a sense for making the camera shots very different tan ordinary and that is always accepted. Some shots are very good and is quite unexpected. And besides the camera shots, the film delivers quite acceptable music as it is strolling along. The soundtrack has songs from different bands and also a share of its own original sounds. It fits good with its scenes and it never becomes weary or stupid.

There is never a sign in The Girl Next Door of stupidity and that's what many teen films lack completely of. The film keeps its focuses and knows what its reliability is and doesn't just take a different route. The Girl Next Door emphasizes in showing its surroundings in that this story can likely occur to anyone. While not necessarily with a pornstar, but just with any regular girl or guy.

This film stars beautiful actress Elisha Cuthbert who plays a former pornstar named Danielle. She hardly knows that she made a guys dream come true by simply moving in right next door to him. This is of course, until she find him spying on her while she is undressing herself. Clearly, that is not the best way to make an impression on someone you find attractive and as the film continues you will see that he doesn't get away with it, not at all.

The kid I'm speaking about is actor Emile Hirsch who plays Matthew Kidman in the film. It focuses mostly on his character and how he is completely lonely and has nothing memorable in his high school years. He's actually like many teenagers and the ones that can reflect with his experiences will definitely see a lot to enjoy with the film.

A trap that The Girl Next Door avoided was in casting twenty five year olds to play the parts of high school seniors. It is seen quite a lot in many different teen films and with Emile Hirsch ad the two other kids it is completely believable. Half of the fact it is believable is because they really are the age they look, no older and no younger which makes for solid realism.

Speaking on the subject of realism, The Girl Next Door shows a side of how dangerous it can be when one is involved in changing the way of life of a pornstar. Its not something to take lightly and has its consequences. However, what Emile Hirsch's character Matthew Kidman is entitled to do is not let Danielle slide for anything.

Matthew knows that this is an opportunity that will never pass him by again. Not that she is a pornstar and that it is an easy way to get a girl, but that he feels something special with this girl and the feelings are becoming stronger with each day. It can almost impact you in a way that you never thought was possible, especially to certain crowds.

Even Matthew's friends in the film are all about sex and girls, but Matthew just concentrates on Danielle and places her even in front of his school and friends. It comes to the matter that someone would do anything for that one special person, even if they are in a downfall. There are ways for improvement and acceptations at times and that's part of what The Girl Next Door shows.

By the looks and the concept of The Girl Next Door, one would think its going to be a complete sex and nudity party. Its for one thing far from that. While the film does show its share of nudity, it really avoids from showing too much of sex or nudity. That for one thing was a solid move and because of that the film relies completely on its story and interesting characters instead of just nudity.

The film is much more than it seems and doesn't follow a trendy formula that other films with similarities have followed in the past. It makes impressive points to the audience, it keeps the story shifting, but always on target. The Girl Next Door leaves you with a lasting impression that it delivers strongly as a whole and has meanings that it throws to the audience. There is simply plenty to like in this film and hardly any places where it lacked.

The Girl Next Door is a pleasant surprise of a film and it is much more than meets the eye. It is almost like a lesson to not only teenagers, but to adults as well. The film always keeps you entirely focused and always surprises with original ideas that work all throughout. While keeping its story strong, it even delivers laughs to boot and in the end it results as a solid film that is actually quite memorable.