The Boy Next Door
Did you enjoy The Boy Next Door?
I've mixed opinions about this film. Too much about Jennifer Lopez' being perceived as a sex symbol, which imo detracts from the story esp in the first section of the film. More attention-grabbing for me was the use of disability as a plot device.
Nearly-divorced Claire (played by Lopez) has a neighbour who needs surgery, so his nephew Noah comes to stay. Noah seduces Claire. She fails to reject his advances although she's a teacher. Noah soon joins Claire's class at school.
In school, Noah wins Claire's heart by rescuing her son Kevin from an episode of anaphylaxis. He takes Kevin's epi-pen, doesn't know how to use it but somehow manages to give Kevin the injection he needs.
So we have the disabled neighbour who gives Noah excuse to become Claire's 'boy next door'. We have the disabled kid who gives Noah opportunity to be heroic.
As the film progresses, Noah becomes a stalker. Eventually he holds Claire, Kevin and Kevin's dad hostage. Kevin's the hero who defeats Noah.
In my opinion, this film could have been one episode of a crime drama. And as mentioned, I found the use of disabled charaters as plot devices quite disappointing.
I've mixed opinions about this film. Too much about Jennifer Lopez' being perceived as a sex symbol, which imo detracts from the story esp in the first section of the film. More attention-grabbing for me was the use of disability as a plot device.
Nearly-divorced Claire (played by Lopez) has a neighbour who needs surgery, so his nephew Noah comes to stay. Noah seduces Claire. She fails to reject his advances although she's a teacher. Noah soon joins Claire's class at school.
In school, Noah wins Claire's heart by rescuing her son Kevin from an episode of anaphylaxis. He takes Kevin's epi-pen, doesn't know how to use it but somehow manages to give Kevin the injection he needs.
So we have the disabled neighbour who gives Noah excuse to become Claire's 'boy next door'. We have the disabled kid who gives Noah opportunity to be heroic.
As the film progresses, Noah becomes a stalker. Eventually he holds Claire, Kevin and Kevin's dad hostage. Kevin's the hero who defeats Noah.
In my opinion, this film could have been one episode of a crime drama. And as mentioned, I found the use of disabled charaters as plot devices quite disappointing.