Enjoyable for what it is

Rating: Null/10 (5 June 2004)

Lets face it, teen movies aren't exactly rocket science. You have your basic formula of boy meets girl, boy makes a mistake causing girl to leave, boy comes to terms with himself and makes a meaningful speech to win girl back. Insert the occasional fart joke and the cocktail is complete.
The Girl Next Door has all this, but it has a little more as well. It begins in typical fashion but its not long before its playing with the usual teen movie conventions a bit. There are three main facets to the film with it being split up quite obviously, with little running commentary between, but this is what makes this film a bit different and interesting. It wants to be something a little more unusual and in the end it succeeds.
I think overall most of the actors in the film did a fine job although for me Olyphant stole the show as Kelly, even though it seems the writers weren't sure whether we were supposed to like him or not. There are a few nice plot twists here and there which mix it up a bit and Elisha Cuthbert is undeniably cute throughout. It is a little surprising that her part is played down two thirds of the way through the movie though, since it is supposedly about her.
Worth watching if you're bored like I was. Expect the usual teen comedy formula, but at the same time be prepared for something a little different and you should find this an enjoyable 2 hours.