The Girl Next Door | |
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Directed by | Luke Greenfield |
Produced by |
Harry Gittes Charles Gordon Marc Sternberg |
Screenplay by |
Stuart Blumberg David T. Wagner Brent Goldberg Luke Greenfield (uncredited) Chris McKenna (uncredited) |
Story by | David T. Wagner Brent Goldberg |
Starring |
Emile Hirsch Elisha Cuthbert Timothy Olyphant James Remar Chris Marquette Paul Dano Olivia Wilde |
Music by | Paul Haslinger |
Cinematography | Jamie Anderson |
Edited by | Mark Livolsi |
Production
company |
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Distributed by | 20th Century Fox |
Release date
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Running time
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108 minutes |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
Budget | $20-21 million |
Box office | $30.4 million |
The Girl Next Door is a 2004 American romantic comedy film about a high school senior who falls in love for the first time with the girl next door, but finds the situation becoming complicated after he learns that she is a former pornographic actress. It stars Emile Hirsch, Elisha Cuthbert, Timothy Olyphant, James Remar, Chris Marquette and Paul Dano and is directed by Luke Greenfield.
Ambitious high school senior Matthew Kidman (Emile Hirsch) has been accepted to Georgetown University, but cannot afford the tuition. He has raised $25,000 in order to bring a brilliant Cambodian student, Samnang, to study in the United States, but finds little else truly memorable about his high school experience. His life suddenly changes when charismatic Danielle (Elisha Cuthbert) moves in next door. Matthew witnesses her undressing from his bedroom window, until she sees him and storms over, knocking on the door and introducing herself to his parents. They suggest to Matthew that he show Danielle around town.
While driving around, Danielle stops the car and forces Matthew to get out and strip for her. The two get to know each other through weird adventures, which includes Matthew finding himself in his principal's pool. He and Danielle sneak away and pick up his friends before going to a party. When a few of Matthew's athlete classmates attempt to get him away from Danielle and kick him out of the party, he finds the courage to walk right up and kiss her. Matthew's world is suddenly rocked the next day when his friend Eli informs him that Danielle is an adult film actress.
On Eli's advice, Matthew takes Danielle to a sleazy motel. Danielle, insulted, realizes that he has discovered her past and abruptly ends the relationship. Matthew later attempts to apologize and reconcile, but Danielle believes that she will never be able to escape her past and decides to return to the adult industry. Matthew tracks Danielle down at an adult film convention in Las Vegas where Kelly (Timothy Olyphant), a porn producer and Danielle's ex, menacingly warns Matthew not to interfere with his business. Matthew ignores him, convincing Danielle both to leave the adult industry and to begin their relationship anew.