by Mike Hilty, Contributing Writer
To me, the greatest strength a movie can have is when a quote makes it into my lexicon. A great quote can make all the difference — they make movies memorable and rewatchable. I remember how I felt listening to a quote that had a lasting impact. It can make me think or it can be life-changing. For instance, Sam’s speech at the end of The Two Towers about how there’s some good in this world, and it’s worth fighting for is something I say often, especially when I’m feeling down.
Another quote that had a lasting impact on me is, “Always know if the juice is worth the squeeze.” I have The Girl Next Door to thank for that.
The Girl Next Door follows a student named Matthew Kidman (Emile Hirsch) as he winds down his high school career. With a focus on academics and student life, Matthew struggles to find something he’ll always remember about his time at the school. A new neighbor moves in next door, Danielle (Elisha Cuthbert), and his whole world is flipped upside down.
One reason this movie works is that Hirsch absolutely commits to his role. Matthew is one of Hirsch’s first roles as a lead actor. His comedic timing is outstanding, yet he’s still a straight-laced character for the majority of the movie. He also has outstanding chemistry with Cuthbert (I read that they dated during and after the production; the chemistry shows). Cuthbert puts Hirsch in some awkward moments, but they still manage to have some incredible moments together. She’s outstanding because she’s the free-spirited person who helps break Matthew out of his shell. Their relationship takes time to build, and Cuthbert sells the looks she gives him while also forcing Matthew into situations he has never found himself in.
Although there’s a heightened sense of high school drama beyond the walls of the school, The Girl Next Door feels relatable in many ways. For instance, the beginning of the movie starts with yearbook quotes from several students who talk about what they’ll remember from high school. Some amazing moments include sports team victories, hanging out with friends, and getting into trouble. With making memories as a central tenant of the story, the characters strive to make their moments shine.
The other thing that makes this movie relatable is the dynamic that the core friend group has. Matthew has two main friends, Klitz (Paul Dano) and Eli (Christopher Rodriguez Marquette). Their friend group has some very distinct roles. Leading the group is Matthew, who’s also the most front and center as the student body president of his school. Klitz is the shy guy who has confidence issues. Eli is the outspoken one who pushes everyone out of their comfort zones. The three of them, the three legs of a tripod as they are known, feel like real friends together. Dano in particular is outstanding. This was the first time that I saw Dano in anything, and I knew instantly that he would be a star one day.
The other thing that makes The Girl Next Door relatable is the emphasis on prom being a milestone night in high school. Prom also serves as a backdrop for a way to get Matthew out of trouble and help Danielle. The final act takes place during prom, and several callback events of the story come up. It’s a hilarious sequence, and one of my favorite instances of prom in a movie.
There are a number of bit characters in this movie who make a huge difference. When you think the main antagonist is going to be high school bullies, it’s actually Kelly (Timothy Olyphant). He’s connected to Danielle’s past, and he makes Matthew’s life miserable by ruining a plan of his to bring a foreign exchange student to their school. Olyphant plays this character so well because he is both friendly and menacing. At first, you think he’s going to be helpful, but he turns sinister in a hurry. Another character who makes an impact is Hugo (James Remar), a pornography producer who helps Matthew out of his situation with Kelly. Remar is great in his limited time on screen — he provides the solution that helps tie the movie together.
Comedy is subjective, and it’s understandable why more people don’t like this movie. It’s crude at times, while also focusing on topics that will not be for everyone, like pornography. However, The Girl Next Door has comedic gold due to the strength of the cast and the story. Everyone is great in the movie, down to the bit players like Dano, Olyphant, and Remar. To echo the movie, I will always remember the chemistry between Hirsch and Cuthbert, the twist ending, and that quote about knowing if the juice is worth the squeeze.
You can read more from Mike Hilty, and follow him on Twitter, Letterboxd, and Serializd