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The Girl Next Door 
Actors : William Atherton, Blanche Baker, Grant Show, Catherine Mary Stewart, Kevin Chamberlin
Director : Gregory Wilson
Studio : ANCHOR BAY
by ANCHOR BAY
Brand : STARZ HOME ENTERTAINMENT
Release Date : 2007-12-04
Publisher : ANCHOR BAY
Availability : Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Number of Items : 1
EAN : 0013131559699
UPC : 013131559699
Avg. Customer Rating: (based on 57 reviews)
List Price : $26.98
Our Price : $10.78
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Americancivilwar.com |
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Based on the novel by acclaimed author Jack Ketchum, The Girl Next Door draws its nerve-wracking power from a real-life horror show--the torture of Sylvia Likens and her sister by Gertrude Baniszewski and her offspring in the mid-1960s (the case also serves as the basis for the film An American Crime). Here, the Likens character is a recently orphaned teen (Blythe Auffarth) taken in by Ruth Chandler (Blanche Baker), a single mother who plies her adolescent sons and their friends with alcohol and lax supervision. Ruth takes an almost instant disliking to the bright young girl and her sister (who is afflicted with polio) and mounts a campaign of mental and physical abuse upon them; her sons quickly fall into step behind their mother, and a neighborhood friend (Daniel Manche) struggles with his own participation in the atrocities. As true crime thrillers go, The Girl Next Door succeeds on many fronts: Baker and Auffarth give impressive performances, and the violence, though harrowing, is never offered as exploitation. Director Gregory Wilson also keeps the pace brisk and breathtaking as the torture escalates; however, he is less capable in the expositional scenes, and the script by Daniel Farrands and Philip Nutman has a leaden ring at times (which undoes the efforts of the younger cast). Still, it's challenging fare for strong-hearted horror and suspense fans. The DVD includes two sets of commentary: one by Wilson, producer Andrew van den Houten, and cinematographer/co-producer William M. Miller, and another by Ketchum and the screenwriters, who pull no punches in expressing their displeasure over changes made to the film's conclusion (and their assessments are entirely correct). Interviews with the cast and crew and the original screenplay (in DVD-ROM format) round out the supplemental features. --Paul Gaita |
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Product Description |
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In a quiet suburban town in the summer of 1958 two recently orphaned sisters are placed in the care of their mentally unstable Aunt Ruth (Emmy® winner Blanche Baker of HOLOCAUST). But Ruth s depraved sense of discipline will soon lead to unspeakable acts of abuse and torture that involve her young sons the neighborhood children and one 12-year-old boy whose life will be changed forever. William Atherton (DIE HARD) Catherine Mary Stewart (NIGHT OF THE COMET) and Grant Show (MELROSE PLACE) co-star in this devastating drama adapted from the controversial best seller by Jack Ketchum that Rue Morgue Magazine called one of the most disturbing reads in the history of horror literature. System Requirements:Length: 97 minsFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: TELEVISION/MADE FOR TV MOVIES Rating: R UPC: 013131559699 Manufacturer No: DV15596 |
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BUY IT, BUY IT, BUY IT |
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This is well worth the money. A movie that actually delivers on what they promise. I think that some of the scenes should have been longer but you wont be disappointed. I was completely satisfied with the movie overall. Too bad more movies dont live up to their reviews. This is excellent. |
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Four Horrifying Stars |
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I have not read the book but know the true life story of Silvia. I was reluctant to rent this knowing its harrowing content. Well I should have followed my instinct. The film is well done, scripted, and acted BUT the graphic torture was too much for me (and I'm a veteran horror/slasher film addict). Perhaps having children of my own or the realistically sad and pathetic nature of the subject matter made me cringe uncomfortably. I made it through 3/4 of the film before retreating and found myself disturbed for several hours after. I do not recommend this film unless you know what your in for and have a strong stomach because it is CRUEL! |
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The Girl Next Door Horror |
After viewing this movie I vomitted. Depression took over for several days. This is an account of one of the most horrific TRUE stories in our lifetime. The story of Sylvia Likens in the 1950's in Indiana. She was tortured, raped, humiliated, and starved. Her battered body was used like a punching bag until she died. She died in the basement of a house where she was chained and tied up. Sylvia suffered every horror you can imagine one person committing against another. Shockingly, the group of young boys who violated her were allowed to continue until her death if they promised not to tell anyone else. Could your teenage son, brother, nephew, grandson, etc., be capable of these unspeakable violations of poor Sylvia? Or are you the one adult who encouraged this behavior? Do you know what is happening in your neighbors house? Be prepared to have your heart ripped.
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Disturbing but ultimately hollow |
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I won't rehash the plot since many have done so here. Suffice it to say that this film's subject mater is disturbing, but there is such a lack of developed characters that I found many of their actions inconceivable. Yes, this is based on actual events, but without motivated characters I sat there wondering why anyone did what he or she did. I'm sure the book delves into the psyches of the participants more fully, but I couldn't help thinking that if the "moral" boy next door had just said, "Mom, Dad, I need you to come next door because our neighbor has a tied up, stripped, and tortured young girl in the basement," the film would have lasted about one-half an hour. I mean, c'mon! the door was never even locked. |
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Ending Failed to Live Up to Source Material |
My primary reason for watching this movie was because I read the book last week and I like to see how movies compare to the books upon which they are based (I'm weird that way).
The movie was pretty faithful to the book, even including some of the more graphic parts (which I was surprised were included), right up until the ending. That's where the movie failed. If you listen to the audio commentary with Jack Ketchum for the last few scenes, you will hear how disappointed/upset he was that the producers changed the ending without bothering to consult him or the script writers. I completely agree with his take on it; the book's ending was much better, both in the climax and the epilogue. I won't give away the ending to either, but if you read the book, you will know what I mean. I don't understand why they changed what was a fine ending.
The acting was very well done, especially the actresses playing Meg, Ruth and Susan. The filmmakers also did a nice job of making it look and feel like the 50s.
I'm glad I read the book first and suggest anyone considering watching this movie do the same. I'll still give it 4 stars (my true rating is actually a little less than 4), but I wish the ending had been truer to the source material. |
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