Mixed Feelings.

Rating: Null/10 (4 April 2004)

The Girl Next Door was a movie that I had mixed feelings about. One part of me thought the movie was going to be just another piece of teen garbage and the other half actually had hope for the film. I am very happy to say that the film was actually very good. This movie is not your average teen movie of course it does have a lot of sexual/porn jokes/references and nudity but it doesn't go overboard with the sex jokes. The most important element of the film was its meaning which is to live life to it's fullest and don't let the people around you control you. The plot wasn't too original but I enjoyed the film very much.
The film stars Emile Hirsch as Matthew Kidman,a straight arrow A+ student and his two friends Eli (Chris Marquette) and I think Klitz (Paul Dano), who are just entering their senior year of high school. Matthew and his friends have always been the geeks of the school and been the target of humiliation. Matthew has never really lived life and has never had a real sexual experience. So one day the ultra-gorgeous Danielle (Elisha Cuthbert) moves in next door and he immediately falls in love with her. Matt thinks that Danielle is innocent and perfect. . .that is until he finds out she's a former porn star. When Matt's friends find out she's a former porn star, they try and convince Matthew to have a sexual experience with her. Ultimately, Danielle helps Matthew emerge from his shell and discover that sometimes you have to risk everything for the person you love -- as he helps her rediscover her innocence and true self. The film gives off a very good soundtrack with a mixture of many different types of music. I especially liked when Matt and his friends went to the porn convention. So as you can tell from the brief description of the movie, it does try to have its sexual jokes but aren't very offensive or sick like other teen movies. But most importantly to me is the end the film, which made a very good point. The movie was a very fun ride for me and I seen it many times already and enjoyed it after ever viewing. My final rating for the Girl Next Door would be a 7/10