Forget Ten Things I Hate About You, forget The American Pie, if there’s one teen-comedy movie that encompasses all the goody elements of movies of this genre, it’s got to be The Girl Next Door (2004).

TGND is showing this month on Star Movies on cable. Starring Elisha Cuthbert (Jack Bauer's pretty daughter from 24) as the female lead Danielle, it is about a straight-A boy (Emile Hirsch as Matthew) who meets and is clearly stricken by the girl next door who just moved in. They eventually get to know each other, get out on a date and attend a party where the two earned the movie an MTV Movie Awards Nomination for Best Kiss scene. (The Notebook won that award which sucked because the kissing scene on The Notebook was shot just like any other sappy love movie. Blech...)

The day after the party, Emile’s porn-aficionado friend shows him an adult videotape with Danielle as the star. That’s when it gets interesting and the story picks up and preps the viewer for a one-of-a-kind ride full of turnarounds you’ll never know what to expect. The plot gets even more complicated at the arrival of Danielle’s producer Kelly - played by Timothy Olyphant (aren't those the big elephant giants on The Lord of The Rings?) who’s trying to get Danielle back into the adult-industry.

I think that what sets this movie far apart from other teen-comedies is that the story is presented in a very realistic point of view. Sure, being a senior about to enter college is full of fun and juvenile excitement but even at that age, life is serious business and so are the choices teenagers make. I love the way Emile suddenly gets initiated into the real world by Danielle’s producer. The world is unforgiving and it will have you for breakfast if you’re not ready. You also couldn't say anything about the acting, the casting was brilliant and the chemistry between the lead roles and their friends were perfect - we get goosebumps every time Matthew and Danielle kiss!

This would probably be Luke Greenfield's (director, The Animal 2001) best work yet. He, the producers and writers managed to work around a not so original plot (see Risky Business, 1983, starring Tom Cruise) and delivered a highly creative film that's fit for this generation. The soundtrack just provides the right mix featuring Take a Picture by Filter and Under Pressure by Queen.

According critics and reviews, TGND is a highly underrated film but has been gaining a cult following in the US since its DVD release. Overall, a very inspiring story of what a person would give and go through for that loved one. Just as one of the movie’s popular quotes say – “Always know if the juice is worth the squeeze.”

I have this movie on original DVD (not the quiapo versions!) and it was definitely worth the squeeze.


--