The Girl Next Door

Elisha, not-Elisha (nothing against her, she's a beautiful woman), the charm of this little film lies in something else. I really wouldn't expect to ever use the adjectives “smart” and “witty” in the context of a teen comedy, but here I have no problem with it. And the final twist is utterly disarming in its unexpectedness and charmingly casual moral :) (23.05.2007)

A pleasant surprise, a sweet, funny and not completely dumb teen comedy. And also Elisha, who is just lovely. It's a great pity that every half hour is in a different style and it doesn't always work as the creators probably intended. Hirsch will definitely make some noise – sooner rather than later. (05.07.2004)

A heartfelt affair that doesn't require any genre concessions to forgive. The five stars are capable of captivating the main characters themselves - the shy jerk Matt and the moving-in neighbor Danielle in Elisha Cuthbert's now legendary performance. The initial closeness of the main duo touched me, and I am convinced that I have never seen better "chemistry" before. I didn't mind the subsequent complications after Matt learns the truth. And if Timothy Olyphant pushed me like this, I would probably retreat even faster than Matty. This film simply has everything - including a divine soundtrack and surprising twists. Even after x number of viewings, I am infinitely enthusiastic, giving it 100%. (01.04.2006)

Zugegebenermaßen ist das genrelos und tendiert unnötigerweise auch in Richtung Familienkomödie, aber glücklicherweise wird das Ganze von guter, schräger Komik für diejenigen dominiert, die kein Problem damit haben, die Pornoindustrie als eine weitere Form der Unterhaltung zu akzeptieren. Wie auch immer, Elisha hat mich nicht verzaubert. (20.10.2010)

This film has style, flair and, most importantly, a solid dose of intelligence, and it is this last ingredient that elevates it a notch above other films of its ilk. (17.01.2005)

For me, Girl Next Door is just another generic teen comedy, the kind we've seen many. It's not even close to the fun, properly wacky and fresh American Pie, even though both films take completely different paths. Elisha Cuthbert is really hot, but her interesting antics and a few funny scenes from the more relaxed and overall funnier first half are the only things that have stuck in my mind. But perhaps the girls will have a completely different opinion... (17.08.2012)

I no longer find the film as funny as the first time I saw it. Plus, concerning the porn industry, it was really naive. Danielle is as old as the protagonist (I assume 18), and yet she is an ex-porn star. How would she have possibly made it? Maybe before the Traci Lords scandal, but later it would have been odd. Despite smaller and bigger goofs, I didn't want to rate it too low, because I've seen worse. Plus, Dexter's dad and Paul Dano were hilarious. Looking at Elisha Cuthbert didn't make me feel like the creators were trying to torture me (which often happens to me with Elisabeth Moss), and I had a good laugh watching Timothy Olyphant trying to pose as Billy Idol. 3*- (05.05.2020)