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The Girl Next Door

1999, Movie, R, 100 mins

The Girl Next Door: Review

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Although Dr. Arthur Bradley (Henry Czerny) is seemingly devoted to his pregnant wife, his seven-year itch surfaces around his best friends' teenaged daughter Fiona (Polly Shannon). Because Fiona is being harassed by a former high school sweetheart, Corey Vandermeer (Daniel Enright), her parents ask Arthur to keep an eye on her when they go out of town, little realizing that their daughter's vulnerability will lead to an affair with Arthur. Encouraged by her pal Vicki (Amy Jacobson), Fiona starts keeping a video diary. Then, one night, Fiona is brutally murdered. Suspicion initially points to Corey. However, local reporter Howard Poolin (Vlasta Vrana) confides in Arthur that his daughter Vicki has handed him Fiona's video. Dropping by Howard's office, a shocked Arthur confronts his undressed image onscreen. When Howard fearfully retreats to inform the cops, he takes a fatal tumble down a flight of stairs and Arthur destroys the evidence. As the police dig deeper, Fiona's killer tries to strike a bargain with Arthur. Will Arthur keep his identity a secret in order to hush up his own infidelity? Unlike the majority of erotic thrillers, this one doesn't lick its lips over sex scenes or concentrate on a revenge motif; instead, it's a low-key thinking man's thriller anchored by Czerney's masterful performance. In order to avoid being charged with statutory rape, Arthur must publicly mislead the cops by playing the role of detached family friend, even though his heart is breaking over Fiona's brutal demise. In Alex Boon and John Hunter's contemplative screenplay, sex is only the catalyst; guilt fuels the characters as this intricate film explores our everyday deaths of conscience. leave a comment --Robert Pardi
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The Girl Next Door (Unrated Edition) [Blu-ray]
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From Twentieth Century Fox (Blu-ray)
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Gwyneth Paltrow: Grace And The Girl Next Door (Snap Books: Star Biographies)
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From Icon Press (Paperback)
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