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Riding in Cars with Boys

(2001, Rated PG-13, Drama, Starring Drew Barrymore, Brittany Murphy, Steve Zahn)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 13, age appropriate for kids over 15; suggested age 13.
  • Is it any good?

    4.0
  • Common Sense says

    Not a great movie, although Drew Barrymore shines.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 13–15

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    All characters white
  • Violence:

    None Tense family scenes
  • Sex:

    Teen pregnancy
  • Language:

    Some strong language
  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Substance abuse, including heroin
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Riding in Cars with Boys

Parents need to know that this movie has non-explicit teenage sex and pregnancy. Characters drink, smoke, and use drugs, including use of a hallucinogenic drug while watching a child and heroin addiction. A character sells drugs, and Bev and Fay briefly become involved in helping him. There is a painful scene of withdrawal. All of this is presented in a realistic manner with realistic consequences that should help teenagers understand the seriousness of this behavior. There's also some strong language.

Read our full review by Nell Minow

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about how families support members who have made bad choices and the importance of accepting responsibility for your mistakes. What did Bev's family do wrong? What did they do right? Why was she able to achieve her dream? What did Jason do to make her see things differently? What do you think about Ray's comment that the best thing he could do for Jason was to leave him?

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