The Girl Next Door is a 2004 American romantic comedy film.
Plot[]
Ambitious high school senior Matthew Kidman has been accepted to Georgetown University but cannot afford the tuition. As class president, he has raised $25,000 in order to bring a brilliant Cambodian student, Samnang, to study in the United States, but otherwise feels there is nothing exciting to remember from his high school years. His friends Eli and Klitz are not receptive to his suggestions that they take some risks and get crazy before they graduate.
Matthew’s life changes when the beautiful Danielle moves in next door. After he catches her undressing, Danielle takes Matthew on a drive through town. Danielle persuades Matthew to undress in the street, steals his clothes, and drives off as revenge for watching her undress.
Matthew and Danielle go on to bond through a series of flirtatious dares. At a raucous party thrown by a classmate, Matthew finally finds the courage to kiss Danielle. The following day, Matthew's reverie is shattered when Eli informs him that Danielle is a former adult film actress.
On Eli's advice, Matthew takes Danielle to a motel and tries to treat her like a sex worker. Danielle, insulted, abruptly ends their relationship. Believing that her past can’t be outrun, she resigns to give up her attempts at normalcy and return to the adult industry. Matthew, Eli, and Klitz search for Danielle at an adult film conventionin Las Vegas where Kelly, an adult film producer and Danielle's ex-boyfriend, menacingly warns Matthew not to interfere with his business.
Days later, an enraged Kelly abducts Matthew from school and physically attacks him, saying that Danielle’s failure to film has cost him $30,000. Kelly offers to let Matthew erase his debt by stealing an award from the home of his former business partner, Hugo Posh. After Matthew enters the house, Kelly calls the police and leaves the scene. Matthew narrowly escapes and rushes to an important scholarship award dinner. High on ecstasy that Kelly tricked him into taking, he improvises a sentimental speech. Although he endears himself to Danielle, he does not win the scholarship.
Kelly exacts further revenge by posing as Matthew's student advisor and stealing the money raised for Samnang. Matthew fears that he will be implicated in the fraud. He turns to Danielle for help, and she calls Hugo Posh.
The next morning, Eli calls Matthew, informing him that the tape has been stolen. Matthew enters his house to find Kelly in possession of the tape and talking with his parents and principal. Kelly demands Matthew's half of the eventual profits. When Matthew refuses, Kelly plays the tape for the group, who are surprised to find that Matthew and his friends have made a modern sexual education film. Although initially skeptical, they realize that Matthew's film could work. Having failed again to destroy Matthew’s life, Kelly finally admits defeat and shows a grudging respect for Matthew.
Hugo Posh and Matthew make millions, and Posh pays for Samnang's travel to the U.S. Matthew sends Kelly some luxury cigars as a gift, ending their rivalry, while Eli becomes a successful filmmaker. Klitz attends college and is pleased to learn that his classmates are impressed with his scene in the film. Matthew attends Georgetown and brings Danielle to DC with him.
Cast[]
- Emile Hirsch as Matthew Kidman
- Elisha Cuthbert as Danielle/Athena
- Timothy Olyphant as Kelly
- James Remar as Hugo Posh
- Chris Marquette as Eli Brooks
- Paul Dano as Tim Klitz
- Ulysses Lee as Samnang
- Harris Laskawy as Principal Salinger
- Autumn Reeser as Jane
- Olivia Wilde as Kellie
- Amanda Swisten as April
- Sung-Hi Lee as Ferrari
- Timothy Bottoms as Mr. Kidman
- Donna Bullock as Mrs. Kidman
- Richard Fancy as Mr. Peterson
- Catherine McGoohan as Mrs. Peterson
- Jacob Young as Hunter
- Luther Reigns as Mule