If you support pornography – when will they sanitize it with a less offensive word? – and think your girlfriend, daughter, or best friend has the talent to enter the field, then this movie is a terrific recruiting film!

High School senior Matthew (Emile Hirsch) is the perfect student. His parents are rightly proud of his achievements. He just got accepted to Georgetown University and raised $25,000 to bring a young Cambodian math genius to his high school. He is preparing for a college scholarship competition on moral fiber when Danielle (Elisha Cuthbert), a sexy porn star, moves in next door for a few weeks to housesit for her aunt. Danielle is the same age as Matthew.

Danielle likes Matthew immediately but his shy courtship is ruined when his porn-watching buddy Eli (Chris Marquette) recognizes her. For screenwriters Stuart Blumberg, David T. Wagner and Brent Goldberg, teen sex stars pose no moral consternation. No value judgments are made.

THE GIRL NEXT DOOR takes sex out of the sex industry. It is now a viable career option.

Thank goodness Danielle's manager Kelly (Timothy Olyphant) turns up to sneak some reality into this fairy tale and smudge the pretty picture. Kelly is a cunning spark of danger and the only reason he is unacceptable is not that he is a ruthless porno manager but he has unruly hair. Behind Kelly is the real threat to Oz, suave porn czar Hugo Posh (James Remar). He wears beautifully tailored suits, has two bodyguards, and a gorgeous house. Since he is the true menace, he has a neat coiffure. Kelly and Hugo want Danielle back in the business.

The story imaginatively twists forcing Matthew to make some choices his comatose parents would surely disapprove of if they were conscious. Nevertheless, the twists are worthwhile and the screenwriters work hard to make this a clever fantasy that ends in the required redeeming fashion.

While THE GIRL NEXT DOOR will not launch Hirsch like RISKY BUSINESS did Tom Cruise, it is a wonderful showcase for his talent. Cuthbert is simply gorgeous and natural, but it is Olyphant's Kelly that you want to see more of, especially when he decides to visit Matthew's high school and interacts with the students.

My strong objection to the film is that it reduces involvement in pornography to casual happenstance. It is simply a stepping-stone to a flashy car. There is no warning against the dangers of pornography except be clever when you do it.

THE GIRL NEXT DOOR
20th Century Fox
Regency Enterprises presents
a New Regency production

Credits:
Director: Luke Greenfield
Screenwriters: Stuart Blumberg, David T. Wagner, Brent Goldberg
Producers: Charles Gordon, Harry Gittes, Marc Sternberg
Executive producers: Arnon Milchan, Guy Riedel
Director of photography: Jamie Anderson
Production designer: Stephen Lineweaver
Music: Paul Haslinger
Co-producer: Richard Wenk
Costume designer: Marilyn Vance
Editor: Mark Livolsi

Cast:
Matthew Kidman: Emile Hirsch
Danielle: Elisha Cuthbert
Kelly: Timothy Olyphant
Hugo Posh: James Remar
Eli: Chris Marquette
Klitz: Paul Dano
Mr. Kidman: Timothy Bottoms
Samnang: Ulysses Lee

Running time -- 109 minutes
MPAA rating: R

by Victoria Alexander - FilmsInReview.com