Drew Barrymore, Steve Zahn, Adam Garcia, Brittany Murphy, James Woods ...( see more  see more... ) , Sara Gilbert , David Moscow

Seriocomic story based on the memoir by Beverly Donofrio, the movie follows a young woman who finds her life radically altered by an event from her teen years. Born in 1950, Beverly grew up bright and...( read more  read more... ) ambitious in a working-class neighborhood in Connecticut; her father was a tough but good-hearted cop who listened to his daughter's problems, and her mother was a nervous woman eager to imagine the worst. From an early age, Beverly displays a keen intelligence and an interest in literature, and dreams of going to college in New York and becoming a writer. However, she also develops an early interest in boys, and at 15 finds herself madly in love with a boy from her high school. However, an attempt to get his attention leads to an embarassing incident at a party, and Ray, a sweet but thick-headed 18-year-old, steps forward to defend her. Beverly and Ray end up making out, and after one thing leads to another, Beverly discovers she's pregnant. Telling Ray is only marginally less difficult than informing her parents, and at 16, Beverly is a wife and mother. Against the odds, Beverly is determined to still finish high school and go on to college, but that goal becomes more difficult with time, especially after Beverly's marriage begins to fall apart. Ray tries to do the right thing but has trouble holding a job, and becomes addicted to heroin

Flixster Users

64% liked it

81,795 ratings

Critics

48% liked it

107 critics

PG-13, 2 hr. 11 min.

Directed by: Penny Marshall

Release Date: October 19, 2001

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DVD Release Date: March 19, 2002

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Stats: 2,787 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (2,787)


  • December 27, 2009
    Penny Marshall delivers yet another great drama, this time with the help of Drew Barrymore. The movie is about prenthood, how easy it is to mess it up, and how easy it is to grow up to become your parents. It's an excellent movie in most ways, but primarily it has a good story an...( read more)d some really good acting.

    You'll laugh, and you probably will cry, and you might even call your mother. :)

    If you have a chance, go through the movie a second time with Drew Barrymores excellent DVD commentary.
  • September 28, 2009
    This is a pretty good film, not the usual chick flick I was expecting. It?s one of Drew Barrymore?s best performances!
  • January 3, 2008
    you'll laugh, you'll cry just a brilliant film
  • September 27, 2007
    Directed by: Penny Marshall.
    Starring: Drew Barrymore, Steve Zahn, Adam Garcia, Brittany Murphy, James Woods.

    An odd, but sweet, hilarious and witty film about a woman with a dream to be a writer, but gets pregnant at the age of 15 and struggles throu...( read more)gh life for years to come (I will not ruin it for people who have not seen it).

    But with positives about this film comes the negatives....the film is definitely flawed. It appears that the book this is based on (which is the book written by the character in the film) has been cut down immensely and it shows in scenes that just don't flow and you just have to think that little bit more to stay up with it all, so it does jump around a bit. Also another problem is the pace of the film, at 130 minutes, it feels way to long (can't imagine them adding anymore cut scenes) and I think the main reason with pace in any film is the director. But Drew Barrymore does give a multi dimensional performance, going through 3 stages of life covered in the film and I will also give credit to Steve Zahn as well for a strong performance.

    The makeup is also very impressive, making each section in their lives look realistic (Beverley and Ray at ages 15, 22 and in their 30's) and the ending stays strong and adds to the message of the film. Well done.
  • August 20, 2007
    A few flaws but otherwise enjoyable movie, may be boring moments but only fleeting ones.
  • January 29, 2010
    I didn't mind it because Barrymore is amusing to watch in quirky movies like this.
  • January 25, 2010
    This film is a great family comedy and drama of a teenage girl who has a child and eventually mentally and physically grows up and takes care of her child. Drew Barrymore is an awsome actress in this film and it IS worth the ride. The book is different from the movie though, but ...( read more)I still strongly recommend to see the film the purchase it online, because it is hard to purchase in stores.
  • January 8, 2010
    Saw this, can't remember it for the life of me.
  • January 7, 2010
    I can't remember much about this film. I remember kinda liking it, but not overly in love.
  • December 29, 2009
    was very good, Drew Barrymore did an excellent job. I also had dream dream dream song stuck in my head. Was actually based upon a true story

Critic Reviews


October 29, 2001
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

The rough edges of Donofrio's life are either ignored or smoothed away, replaced by broad laughs and easy sentiment. full review

October 19, 2001
David Edelstein, Slate

The way that the screenwriter, Morgan Upton Ward, has shaped the material, Donofrio seems a bystander in her own life, a passive (if seething and resentful) victim of forces beyond her control. full review

October 19, 2001
Moira MacDonald, Seattle Times

Pick something sunshiny next time, Drew. It's nicer to see you smile. full review

October 19, 2001
Stephanie Zacharek, Salon.com

Every scene is coated with Marshall's thumbprints, ultimately connecting into a manhandled, mangled, misshapen whole, its themes written out in thunderously obvious cues. full review

October 19, 2001
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

A film like this is refreshing and startling in the way it cuts loose from formula and shows us confused lives we recognize. full review

October 18, 2001
Claudia Puig, USA Today

Marshall has fashioned a well-acted diversion, and she wisely chooses humor over treacle in what could have been an overly sentimental tale. full review

View more Riding in Cars with Boys reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

Comments


  • Taliaesin
    February 22, 2007
    come on where is Adam Garcia on the staring list on here. he should be in the list as one he played adult jason, and two he's cute.

    add Adam Garcia, Add Adam garcia, ect...
  • smexxicharlie
    December 31, 2006
    omg... i loved this movie nd steve zahn is a hottie... it was soo sad wen he had to say bye to jason... nd jason's like "daddy... take me with u . i wanna come with u!" i only watched it last nite but its 4ever in my top movie choices!!didnt really lie drew barrymore in this one tho... britney murphy was good tho!! well xoxo

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Riding in Cars with Boys Trivia


  • What movie was James Woods, Steven Zahn and Lorraine Bracco all in?  Answer »
  • In which movie does Drew Barrymore yell: "He peed in my mouth!"  Answer »
  • in what movie does Drew Barrymore have a son at the age of 15?  Answer »
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