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Rating:  - Coming from an extreme gore hound, I feel violated and dirty.
What starts out as a light hearted drama such as "Stand by Me" takes a turn into "Flowers in the Attic" meets "Hostel". Inspired by the true events of Sylvia Likens, I have never felt so ashamed to have watched a movie regarding this genra. King quoted it was the most shocking thing he had seen since "Henry" however, I believe Henry is practically G rated compaired to this. This movie takes you into the dark relms of child abuse, without pulling away from multiple rapes, burnings, cuttings, and beatings of a teenage girl. The writer/director used a shock factor that I believe was needed and the shock factor was showing society the not so sugar coated reality of child abuse. I did not think the performance of the aunt was spectacular until the end when I saw her mood change from leaving the basement to speaking to the cops at her front door, as far as the rest of the characters are concerned they did wonderful jobs, especially the girl who portrayed the life of Sylvia. So a note of advice, do not watch this if you are easily disturbed, keep away from children and the elderly, most of all don't watch on a first date.
Rating: - Great Translation From Book to Film!!
I'm purposely not going into detail about the movie, as others have done so already. But for those who've read and loved the book, you won't be disappointed with the movie version. It stuck fairly close, except for the ending...which really wasn't a big deal and didn't have any dramatic effect on the outcome of the story. Since I'd read the book already, nothing was that shocking to me. But my girlfriend who hadn't seen it yet, she had to turn her head away at times...and understandable so.
My only gripe was the character who played Meg looked Puerto Rican, when it was supposed to be a redhead. And I thought the girl was crippled from the accident, not polio (but I could be wrong). Other than that it was a fair translation of a film that took about 9 years to make (due to the subject matter).
The bonus material wasn't bad, but I expected a bit more. Maybe a few deleted scenes. But the commentary that went with the film was great, and the interviews and "making of" were enlightening as we learned the struggles it took to get the film made.
Overall a great movie, disturbing as it is, that shows the real boogieman, or monster, that lurks in your neighborhood doesn't necessarily take the form you might expect.
Rating:  - not as good as you think
I just bought this movie because of the good reviews and the great packaging. I wish I had not. The movie itself played more like a made for tv flick. The casting was a bit bad also. All of the cast were pretty slack. There was no development of relationships or characters themselves that was worth a rip. The acting throughout the movie was so wishy washy. Not the least bit impressed and barely average. Now the story overall was a good one but it was not well done at all. I am a huge fan of disturbing movies and this one is disturbing. As disturbing as it was it wasn't executed in a heavy way so it just weakened the experience. My opinion is that it is a great story but a lame movie. If anything rent it first unless you can get a used copy for real real cheap.
Rating:  - Painful
Watching this film was like having wisdom teeth pulled. Having read the book, I knew what to expect, wasn't looking forward to it, can't say I enjoyed it, and was glad to just get it over with. So why did I buy it and watch it if I knew this beforehand? Because never before has a book so disturbed, depressed, aggravated, and emotionally sledgehammered me....thus compelling me to see the movie (analyze that). The movie itself is good, as long as you can stomach the violence, which surpasses that of any Saw or Hostel film due to the truism of the incident depicted. In actuality the book is even more excruciating. Bottom line, it's a story based on a real life innocent victim of another person's insanity that deserves telling.
Rating: - The Ultimate in Depravity
I have seen a lot of horror movies. From the Guinea Pig Films to the best\worst in Euro-Asian-American shock cinema.
There are few, if any movies out there than can reach such a level in depravity as the Girl Next Door. This movie based on the true story is so horrifying, you will wish you never saw it. That being said, the film is remarkably well done. From the acting the production values, to the care of leaving the gore one frame away.
For those that enjoyed Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer - The Girl Next Door is the new standard. Nothing, but nothing out there is more horrifying than this film.
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