Chris Marquette, Elisha Cuthbert, Emile Hirsch

Eighteen-year-old Matthew Kidman is a straight-arrow over-achiever who has never really lived life--until he falls for his beautiful and seemingly innocent neighbor, Danielle. When Matthew discovers t...( read more  read more... )hat this perfect "girl next door" is a one-time porn star, his sheltered existence begins to spin out of control. Ultimately, Danielle helps Matthew emerge from his shell and discover that sometimes you have to risk everything for the person you love, as he simultaneously helps her rediscover her innocence.

Flixster Users

71% liked it

202,088 ratings

Critics

56% liked it

151 critics

R, 1 hr. 49 min.

Directed by: Luke Greenfield

Release Date: April 9, 2004

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DVD Release Date: August 24, 2004

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Stats: 15,767 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (15,767)


  • February 22, 2009
    i am so bored with these average teen comedy reels. fuck off and die
  • November 16, 2008
    I thought this was a pretty entertaining movie. Nothing really touching or special, but good.
  • October 29, 2008
    "Always know if the juice is worth the squeeze"

    Boy meets girl who's already met all sorts of boys and girls in this teen-slanted comedy. Matthew Kidman (Emile Hirsch) is a straight-laced and highly ambitious high school student who plans to study at Georgetown Universi...( read more)ty and dreams of a career in politics. While most of his classmates are in the throes of an epidemic of senioritis, Matthew is obsessed with schoolwork and has a hard time relaxing and having fun. But he finds himself a bit less focused on his future career when Danielle (Elisha Cuthbert), a beautiful 19-year-old blonde, moves in next door. Danielle is playful, spontaneous, and doesn't always remember to draw her shades, and before long Matthew is head over heels in love. Danielle soon finds herself taken with Matthew as well, but their relationship takes an unusual turn when he discovers that, before she moved to town, Danielle had a successful career as a porn actress. Matthew is able to convince Danielle that she's cut out for better things in life than appearing in porn videos, but his advice doesn't especially please Kelly (Timothy Olyphant) or Hugo (James Remar), two porn moguls who figure Matthew owes them big-time after convincing their leading lady to drop out of the adult industry. The Girl Next Door -- which, appropriately enough, shares its title with a 1999 documentary about adult film superstar Stacy Valentine -- also features Timothy Bottoms, Paul Dano, and Chris Marquette.

    Review
    The Girl Next Door is so full of clichés and just overloaded with cheesiness and yet, after all this I find it quite amusing. That isn't normal of me because I usually despise teeny bopper chick flicks (American Pie makes the cut among a few other classics) and surprisingly, this one makes it on top. Elisha Cuthbert exudes the eroticism and beauty of the character and yet, she didn't over do it, just the right mix. Emile Hirsch, a then unknown, equally shines as well.

    As a huge fan of all that is John Hughes, it was no surprise to discover certain homages paid to its teen movie predecessors. Even in the score of the film there was the underlying beat of that Risky Business mood music (or something closely resembling it) in key scenes with Emile.

    In a film that could have easily turned to garbage with boobs and butts galore, the filmmakers never forgot that what we were dealing with here, is simply two kids trying to be comfortable in their own skin. They discover a balance in each other and fall head over heels. And why wouldn't they? I can't remember the last time in any recent release where two characters were able to communicate so much through their facial expressions and eyes.

    So what if the premise is far-fetched. We could all pick apart the logistics of such a scenario with its ridiculous improbabilities. However, the reason we all fork over our hard earned money at the box office or in rentals or in cable subscriptions is that we want to be entertained. This movie does just that and was in no way the predictable teen farce that Hollywood usually cranks out.
  • September 20, 2008
    I luv this fuckin movie!
  • March 5, 2008
    I love this comedy - Elisha is so hot
  • November 6, 2009
    The best dialoge in this movie was never said, the way he stares at her says enough. On top of that a kick ass sound track
  • November 6, 2009
    Dai va beh, l'ho guardato solo per Emile e per passare un'oretta.
  • November 4, 2009
    Historia muy Equis... chava muy bonita de cara... pero muy pi.. flaca!
    Le faltan atributos.
  • October 31, 2009
    i luv elisha cuthbert. so hot!!!
  • October 30, 2009
    This movie really sucked.

Critic Reviews


May 3, 2005
Nick Schager, Lessons of Darkness

Essentially Risky Business for the 21st century, and I don't mean that as a compliment. full review

April 9, 2004
Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle

The movie captures, on the most basic level of tone and attitude, what it feels like to be a teenager, a teenage boy in particular. full review

April 9, 2004
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

This is a dishonest, quease-inducing 'comedy' that had me feeling uneasy and then unclean. full review

April 9, 2004
Moira MacDonald, Seattle Times

It appears to not only be made for hormone-crazed adolescents, but by them. full review

April 8, 2004
Liam Lacey, Globe and Mail

At this stage in Hollywood history, any teen movie that doesn't involve flying body fluids deserves some kind of commendation. full review

April 8, 2004
David Edelstein, Slate

Emile Hirsch has the perfect stricken alertness, and Greenfield has a marvelous joker up his sleeve in Timothy Olyphant as Kelly, Danielle's quasi-pimp. full review

April 8, 2004
A.O. Scott, The New York Times

A lumpy blend of sweet teen romance and naughty, R-rated prurience, this comedy follows the improbable relationship between a high school senior and a former porn star. full review

April 8, 2004
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

What if you were a horny high school geek and a porn star moved in next door? Your answer will surely outwit anything in this cut-rate Risky Business. full review

View more The Girl Next Door reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

Comments


  • HayleyLeigh1
    September 29, 2009
    the guy makes it funny, Elisha makes it hot!
  • kingsofcheez
    September 21, 2008
    my comp won't play the movie what do i do?
  • perfectgentlemn
    July 20, 2008
    I honestly thought this would be a 85min titilating Brain-Fart of a Movie. But, I was really surprised to find it a Sexy & just really fun movie to watch !!, especially for guys. Great Story, Loved it !... ;-)
  • riam20032003
    July 17, 2008
    i just love this is a movie. and it was best film in this one. its very fantastic film and Cool. also have lots of funny. this movie are about love and sex educaiton. also elisha is so gorgeous
  • pavacri23
    May 31, 2008
    this movie is hilarious
  • donnathat
    April 17, 2008
    The best movie so far, when u watch it you will realised that people can change from bad to good and when you talk about love talk about sincerity and love, I love these movies i watch it nearly everyday and its make me to realised love is a powerful words which people don't have to joke with...! u really tried to the firm
  • Simontbh
    March 13, 2008
    I absoulatly love this movie. As well as being a fan of Chris Marquette, i am now a fan of Timothy Olyphant, Paul Dano and Emile Hirsch thanks to this film.
  • pratyushiitd
    February 13, 2008
    elisha looks gorgeous in d movie......
    the movie is all right(avrg fun movie)
  • nativepride69er
    January 11, 2008
    i think it was the best i have seen this far so i hope that they can make more or some thing like LOl
  • rizaldoturno
    September 24, 2007
    Ohhhhhhh....I just really love this movie..This is one of my favorite movie in the Top Ten Lists..It has a lot of good thoughts about Sex Education..Emile and Elisha are just very good casts here..They are very compatible to each other..Elisha and Emile,, hope to see you two in personal..God bless and more career to come!!!

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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The Girl Next Door Trivia


  • What movie included the saying 'three legs of the tripod'  Answer »
  • in which movie does elisa cuthbert plays a role of a girl who fella in love with the boy girl next door   Answer »
  • In what movie does former Professional WWE wrestler Matt 'Horshu' Wiese have a cameo, as the boyfriend to one of the porn actresses during the Adult Film Convention sequence?  Answer »
  • Name the movie from this antonym. The Boy Before Wall  Answer »

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