This character-driven, cleverly risqué teen sex farce has much more in common with Risky Business (the genre's high watermark) than it does with the lowbrow body-fluid antics of the post-American Pie era. Eye-popping Elisha Cuthbert (from TV's 24) stars as every nerdy teenager's dream come true: an alluringly sexy, accessibly sweet 19-year-old ex-porn star who's just looking for a nice, normal boyfriend--in the person of straight-arrow high schooler Emile Hirsch (The Emperor's Club). Initially intended as a crass teen comedy, but given polish and panache by screenwriter Stuart Blumberg (Keeping the Faith), the story does follow a fairly predictable path as Hirsch loses his inhibitions and his virginity (while trying to dodge contrived obstacles such as a greasy-cool, pissed-off porn producer played by Timothy Olyphant who wants the girl back) on the road to love and a scholarship. But like Risky Business, this is a movie with sublime performances and higher ambitions than simply serving up another shallow, sex-minded shock comedy (at least up until the ridiculous prom-night climax). Recommended, overall. [Note: Available in either R-rated or unrated versions, DVD extras include audio commentary by director Luke Greenfield, a pair of scene-specific cast commentaries (one by Emile Hirsch, the other by Elisha Cuthbert), a “Revealing The Girl Next Door” popup text trivia track, “The Eli Experience” adult film convention featurette hosted by costar Chris Marquette, “A Look Next Door” making-of featurette, 16 deleted/extended scenes (including the original ending) with optional commentary by Greenfield, a gag reel, a still gallery, and trailers. Bottom line: a solid extras package for a better than average romantic comedy.] (R. Blackwelder)[Blu-ray Review—Sept. 15, 2009—Fox, 109 min., not rated, $29.99—Making its first appearance on Blu-ray, 2004's The Girl Next Door sports a nice transfer with Dolby 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio. Blu-ray extras include most of the features from the standard DVD release, such as audio commentary by director Luke Greenfield, a pair of scene-specific cast commentaries (by costars Emile Hirsch and Elisha Cuthbert), 16 deleted/extended scenes (including the original ending) with optional commentary by Greenfield (11 min.), “A Look Next Door” making-of featurette (10 min.), “The Eli Experience” adult film convention featurette hosted by costar Chris Marquette (8 min.), a gag reel (3 min.), and trailers. Bottom line: a solid Blu-ray debut for a better-than-average teen sex comedy.]
The Girl Next Door
Fox, 109 min., avail. in R and unrated versions, VHS: $50.99, DVD: $27.98, Aug. 24 Volume 19, Issue 5
The Girl Next Door
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