Film Review: Story Won’t Go All the Way in ‘The Boy Next Door’

Printer-friendly versionPrinter-friendly versionE-mail page to friendE-mail page to friendPDF versionPDF version
Average: 5 (1 vote)

CHICAGO – There was a different kind of vibe coming from the thriller “The Boy Next Door,” different than what is expected when hearing “Jennifer Lopez as teacher caught in a scandal with a student.” But for every piece of original thinking, there was a fear of making it too different.

HollywoodChicago.com Oscarman rating: 3.0/5.0
Rating: 3.0/5.0

A Jennifer Lopez film that is willing to have a steamy J-Lo love scene, a new attitude for the typical male high school dream boat, plus inappropriate violence and nudity can’t be all bad, especially when anticipating (or not) a flick with Lopez’s name above the title. There are a few – dare I say – Hitchcockian nuggets in the scenario, with some of them actually landing, but overall the necessity to make everything come out right for the J-Lo character was enough to torpedo the overall result. This is not a bad film, but it is lacking.

Claire (Jennifer Lopez) is a woman separated from her husband Garrett (John Corbett) for nine months. Garrett cheated on her, and the sting of that infidelity has made Claire extremely vulnerable. When a 18 year-old stud muffin named Noah (Ryan Guzman) moves in next door to care for his elderly uncle, Claire begins thinking some impure thoughts about the seemingly perfect man child.

When an attempt at a date fails miserably, Claire ends up at Noah’s home, and is seduced by him. Waking up the next morning, the hangover of this indiscretion is all guilt and fear of losing her job, especially in context of her teenage son Kevin (Ian Nelson) and experiencing the frightening reaction when Noah realizes the relationship is over. Claire has gained a stalker, at the same time Garrett comes back into the scene and the new school year begins.

”The Boy Next Door” opens everywhere on January 23rd. Featuring Jennifer Lopez, Ryan Guzman, John Corbett, Kristen Chenoweth, Ian Nelson and Hill Harper. Written by Barbara Curry. Directed by Rob Cohen. Rated “R”

StarContinue reading for Patrick McDonald’s full review of “The Boy Next Door”

Jennifer Lopez
Claire (Jennifer Lopez) is a Victim of Circumstances in ‘The Boy Next Door’
Photo credit: Universal Pictures

StarContinue reading for Patrick McDonald’s full review of “The Boy Next Door”

User Login

Free Giveaway Mailing

TV, DVD, BLU-RAY & THEATER REVIEWS

  • Manhunt

    CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Dan Baker on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on March 21st, 2024, reviewing the new streaming series “Manhunt” – based on the bestseller by James L. Swanson – currently streaming on Apple TV+.

  • Topdog/Underdog, Invictus Theatre

    CHICAGO – When two brothers confront the sins of each other and it expands into a psychology of an entire race, it’s at a stage play found in Chicago’s Invictus Theatre Company production of “Topdog/Underdog,” now at their new home at the Windy City Playhouse through March 31st, 2024. Click TD/UD for tickets/info.

Advertisement



HollywoodChicago.com on Twitter

archive

HollywoodChicago.com Top Ten Discussions
tracker