ellsworth81
04-24-2004, 10:04 PM
To call “The Girl Next Door” a cliché is an understatement. Rehashing an-all-too-familiar genre of movie that seems to always rear its ugly head out of nowhere in the summertime like fat people in revealing clothing, the producers walk upon thin ice at the box office. Patently campy and intent upon cashing in on horny teens expecting another skin flick, this movie is certainly not up for contention for an Academy Award anytime soon. So as it stands, those of you hesitant to shell out the 10 bones for this copycat must be pondering why you should even bother.
Because imitations can pass for the real deal sometimes, and where other cookie-cutter teen movies have failed, this quiet gem outshines the many others that have preceded it.
Featuring a relatively unknown cast, the movie follows Matthew, your archetypal overachiever, in his last few weeks as a graduating senior at Westport High School. However, he quickly realizes that, despite all of his extracurricular achievements and academic prowess, he is unable to eke out even a pithy phrase to flesh out his yearbook memories. Wholly dissatisfied with the way things have turned out, he heads home, downtrodden and sullen. But as he walks towards his house, he notices a mysterious car parked next door – the car that belongs to Danielle and the woman that will change his life forever.
I won’t bore you with the rest of the details, as it is standard fare for those familiar with the genre. Admittedly, you may find yourself like many others quick to dismiss this as “just another teen movie”. But don’t let yourself do that. Ignore the superficial elements that guised this movie as a forgettable, vapid summer popcorn flick. Upon closer inspection, you will realize that there’s more at the heart of this movie – that you will not find the pie-fucking or prostate stimulation you’ve come to expect.
As it turns out, this movie achieves its ludicrous status in slightly different manner, as this time around, the hapless guy of the movie is not your chiseled pretty-boy Freddie Prinze Jr. type. In fact, he’s your fairly regular looking guy. She, on the other hand, is your prototypical sizzling hot babe - the one girl you wished you had the courage to even ask for the time. And despite the blatant disparity in looks, the two instantly connect and find a smidgen of salvation within one another - just enough to make this a mutual pursuit.
Yet, the relationship between the two lovebirds is a fairly straightforward one, but the sheer simplicity makes it that much more obvious. It forces the viewer to reassess that keystone that keeps their relationship with a loved together – trust. How much does one’s past matter? Can we have in faith in our partner to stay the course and be everything that you originally encountered? It’s a conflict that is more thought-provoking than it seems. And that, in my opinion, makes for an enjoyable view, if not a great one.
And the amazing chemistry between the sultry Danielle and sheepish Matthew frames the classic theme masterfully. Whether it’s Matthew indecisive awkwardness in her presence or Danielle’s deliciously rueful pout, the pairing could not have been done any better.
Though it pains me to say it, as I watched this film, I saw glimpses of My Sassy Girl, which I consider THE benchmark romantic comedy. Yet, just like My Sassy Girl, this movie will make you laugh, if not chuckle. It’ll make you wonder. It’ll make you smile. Still, if you didn’t like this film, then 1) you’ve probably seen a better version of this somewhere down the road or 2) that $9 would have served you better in the form of a Denny’s Grand Slam Breakfast or 3) you are simply very satisfied with your romantic life.
Well, we can still dream, can’t we?
Because imitations can pass for the real deal sometimes, and where other cookie-cutter teen movies have failed, this quiet gem outshines the many others that have preceded it.
Featuring a relatively unknown cast, the movie follows Matthew, your archetypal overachiever, in his last few weeks as a graduating senior at Westport High School. However, he quickly realizes that, despite all of his extracurricular achievements and academic prowess, he is unable to eke out even a pithy phrase to flesh out his yearbook memories. Wholly dissatisfied with the way things have turned out, he heads home, downtrodden and sullen. But as he walks towards his house, he notices a mysterious car parked next door – the car that belongs to Danielle and the woman that will change his life forever.
I won’t bore you with the rest of the details, as it is standard fare for those familiar with the genre. Admittedly, you may find yourself like many others quick to dismiss this as “just another teen movie”. But don’t let yourself do that. Ignore the superficial elements that guised this movie as a forgettable, vapid summer popcorn flick. Upon closer inspection, you will realize that there’s more at the heart of this movie – that you will not find the pie-fucking or prostate stimulation you’ve come to expect.
As it turns out, this movie achieves its ludicrous status in slightly different manner, as this time around, the hapless guy of the movie is not your chiseled pretty-boy Freddie Prinze Jr. type. In fact, he’s your fairly regular looking guy. She, on the other hand, is your prototypical sizzling hot babe - the one girl you wished you had the courage to even ask for the time. And despite the blatant disparity in looks, the two instantly connect and find a smidgen of salvation within one another - just enough to make this a mutual pursuit.
Yet, the relationship between the two lovebirds is a fairly straightforward one, but the sheer simplicity makes it that much more obvious. It forces the viewer to reassess that keystone that keeps their relationship with a loved together – trust. How much does one’s past matter? Can we have in faith in our partner to stay the course and be everything that you originally encountered? It’s a conflict that is more thought-provoking than it seems. And that, in my opinion, makes for an enjoyable view, if not a great one.
And the amazing chemistry between the sultry Danielle and sheepish Matthew frames the classic theme masterfully. Whether it’s Matthew indecisive awkwardness in her presence or Danielle’s deliciously rueful pout, the pairing could not have been done any better.
Though it pains me to say it, as I watched this film, I saw glimpses of My Sassy Girl, which I consider THE benchmark romantic comedy. Yet, just like My Sassy Girl, this movie will make you laugh, if not chuckle. It’ll make you wonder. It’ll make you smile. Still, if you didn’t like this film, then 1) you’ve probably seen a better version of this somewhere down the road or 2) that $9 would have served you better in the form of a Denny’s Grand Slam Breakfast or 3) you are simply very satisfied with your romantic life.
Well, we can still dream, can’t we?