Common Sense Media Review
Not a great movie, although Drew Barrymore shines.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
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Riding in Cars with Boys
What's the Story?
Based on a true story, RIDING IN CARS WITH BOYS centers on Beverly Donofrio (Drew Barrymore), whose dreams of going to NYU and becoming a writer seemed impossible when she became pregnant at age 15. Beverly is the daughter of a policeman (James Woods) and a homemaker (Lorraine Bracco). When she gets pregnant by sweet but irresponsible drop-out Ray (Steve Zahn), her parents insisted that they get married. They spent the next seven years on welfare. As the movie begins, Beverly has written her life story. She and her son, now in college, have a wintery journey of reconciliation as they seek out Ray to get him to sign a release so that the book can be published. The story alternates between that snowy car ride and flashbacks to the past that led up to it.
Is It Any Good?
Like the life of its subject matter, there is a lot that is wrong with this movie, but there is also something right enough for a bittersweet happy ending. This is not an upbeat story with a lot of cute sit-com-y moments. Bev is not a good mother. She is so angry at Ray, her son Jason, and her parents that her behavior is often selfish and bitter. If an actress less irresistible than Barrymore were in the role, we would stop caring whether she ever got to college.
The script makes some odd choices in showing us too many scenes of Bev's despair and nothing about what she did that finally pulled her life together. Jason's romantic involvement seems to tie up too many loose ends to be authentic. Director Penny Marshall bangs too hard on the cultural signifiers of each era Bev lives through, and the soundtrack's songs are pedestrian. But the movie gets four stars just for Barrymore's performance as she shows us Bev at 15, 20, and 35. Zahn, always a marvelous actor in comedy or drama, gives a performance of great generosity and heart. There are also great moments from Brittany Murphy, as Bev's friend Fay, and Woods as Bev's dad.
Talk to Your Kids 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?
Movie Details
- In theaters : October 19, 2001
- On DVD or streaming : March 19, 2002
- Cast : Brittany Murphy , Drew Barrymore , Steve Zahn
- Director : Penny Marshall
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s) , Bisexual Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Columbia Tristar
- Genre : Drama
- Run time : 132 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : thematic elements, drug and sexual content
- Last updated : September 21, 2019
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