The Girl Next Door review

Why you can trust 12DOVE Our experts review games, movies and tech over countless hours, so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about our reviews policy.

Every generation should have its own Risky Business. And while this tame comedy isn't a patch on that iconic Tom Cruise vehicle, its tale of a college-bound over-achiever who falls for an ex-porn star has just enough spunk to justify the comparison.

Its chief assets belong to 24's Elisha Cuthbert, well-cast as the `girl next door' who leads nerdy Matthew (Emile Hirsch) off the straight and narrow and into a world of ecstasy pills, skin flicks and porn conventions. Acting honours, though, go to Timothy Olyphant (Go), who brings a welcome dash of danger to his role as Cuthbert's jilted pimp cum-manager.

Director Luke Greenfield keeps the dialogue fruity but stops short of smut, making this the cleanest porn farce ever committed to celluloid. But while there's a broad gap between the raunchy subject matter and its kid-glove treatment, this teen caper has sufficient intelligence and charm to avoid the usual American Pie pitfalls.

The Total Film team are made up of the finest minds in all of film journalism. They are: Editor Jane Crowther, Deputy Editor Matt Maytum, Reviews Ed Matthew Leyland, News Editor Jordan Farley, and Online Editor Emily Murray. Expect exclusive news, reviews, features, and more from the team behind the smarter movie magazine.