Riding in Cars with Boys (2001)

49% of critics liked it
(109 reviews)
62% of users liked it
(93,243 ratings)

Penny Marshall directed this serio-comic story, based on the memoir by Beverly Donofrio, about a young woman who finds her life radically altered by an event from her teen years. Born in 1950, Beverly (Drew Barrymore) grew up bright and ambitious in a working-class neighborhood in Connecticut; her… More Penny Marshall directed this serio-comic story, based on the memoir by Beverly Donofrio, about a young woman who finds her life radically altered by an event from her teen years. Born in 1950, Beverly (Drew Barrymore) grew up bright and ambitious in a working-class neighborhood in Connecticut; her father (James Woods) was a tough but good-hearted cop with an understanding ear for his daughter's problems, and her mother (Lorraine Bracco) was a nervous woman eager to imagine the worst. From an early age, Beverly displays a keen intelligence and an interest in literature, and she dreams of going to college in New York and becoming a writer. However, she also develops a precocious 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 Hasek (Steve Zahn), 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; while Ray tries to do the right thing, he has trouble holding a job, and circumstances become all the more difficult when Beverly learns her husband is addicted to heroin. Riding in Cars With Boys also stars Brittany Murphy as Beverly's best friend Fay; Beverly's son Jason is played, at various points in his life, by Adam Garcia (age 20), Logan Lerman (age eight), Cody Arens (age six), and Logan Arens (age three). ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 2 hr. 11 min.
Directed By: Penny Marshall
Written By: Morgan Ward
Genres: Drama, Comedy

In Theaters: Oct 19, 2001 Wide
On DVD: Mar 19, 2002
Studio: Columbia Pictures

Critic Reviews

Peter Rainer, New York Magazine
Beverly is supposed to be a bad girl running with the wrong crowd, but most of the time she seems to be right out of a serioso episode of Laverne & Shirley.
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone
The rough edges of Donofrio's life are either ignored or smoothed away, replaced by broad laughs and easy sentiment.
Rex Reed, New York Observer
A film with honesty, sincerity and a great big heart.
Desson Thomson, Washington Post
There's a sort of Hallmark tyranny at work.
Rita Kempley, Washington Post
The movie may be based on Beverly Donofrio's memoir of the '60s, but it misses the honesty and grit of the source.
Peter Howell, Toronto Star
Despite being scrubbed almost spotless, the story still makes its mark.
Nell Minow, Common Sense Media
Not a great movie, although Drew Barrymore shines.
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
Columbia's marketing exploits the commercial title and producer James Brooks pedigree, but this humorless chick flick is one of Penny Marshall's worst films.
James O'Ehley, Movie Gurus
We've suffered through worse chick flicks throughout the years . . .
David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews
...[Drew Barrymore's] best performance to date...
Tom Grealis, RTE Interactive (Dublin, Ireland)
should bring Barrymore at least the promise of more interesting scripts through the letterbox.
Jean Lowerison, San Diego Metropolitan
Barrymore is a wonder in this role.

Read all 12 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Nicki M

All time favourite of mine that I have not watched in a long time. Rewatching it was just as good - I love the honesty of this true story and the flaws of Bev, played wonderfully by Drew Barrymore. I know a lot of people do not like it, but a lot of people seem to want everything… More
All time favourite of mine that I have not watched in a long time. Rewatching it was just as good - I love the honesty of this true story and the flaws of Bev, played wonderfully by Drew Barrymore. I know a lot of people do not like it, but a lot of people seem to want everything to be nice all the time, especially in movies, and people aren't like that in real life. The story is set over about thirty years, starting in the 60's when Bev is a child and going through to the 80's when she is in her 30's. During this time, we see that she was a precocious child with a talent for writing who finds herself pregnant in her teens and married to the father of her son, who is not a guy she probably would have found herself with under normal circumstances. Bev's dreams of going to uni are crushed and her relationship with her father strained as she tries to make a go of her life. Needless to say, she is not the best mum and the issues of resentment towards her child are dealt with very honestly and well. It makes her unlikeable to a lot of people, to me it shows she is human. I don't think you ever seriously doubt that she loved her child, even when she doubts it herself, but certainly there are times that she hasn't liked him, and honestly, I think most people would have felt the same, such as the situation where her son blows her interview for her. Though you do feel sorry for her son, after all none of it is his fault, he is only a child and it seems he has way too much responsibility way before his time, you also feel sorry for Bev as you see yet another dream die for her. (Well, I did anyhow). After all, she was practically a child herself when she became pregnant. The cast are all excellent here. It was sad to watch Brittany Murphy in this as Fay, Bev's best friend, who also finds herself pregnant and married off at a young age (yet somehow she comes out of it better than Bev does). Brittany was such a good actress and is perfect here. Steve Zahn also excellent as Bev's husband, Ray, who ends up a junkie. Nice small role by Sara Gilbert as one of her school friends and Adam Garcia also cast well as Bev's adult son. This movie does somehow manage to have a nice ending. I know a few people consider it corny, but I liked it. I liked that things did pick up a little for Bev in the end, and that her son, Jason, found happiness (with a very young Maggie Gyllenhaal. I did not even remember her being in this, which shows how long ago I watched it!), and was able to feel less responsible for his mother. I have not read the book it is based on, so I am not sure how true this is to that, but a really inspiring true story.
Spencer S

A very good representation of the not so wedded bliss many mothers went through in low income housing and troublesome husband during the days of teen pregnancies. Nowadays we have an entire cavalcade of shows dedicated to this subject, and so it is very hard to take this story and its… More
A very good representation of the not so wedded bliss many mothers went through in low income housing and troublesome husband during the days of teen pregnancies. Nowadays we have an entire cavalcade of shows dedicated to this subject, and so it is very hard to take this story and its subject seriously without being partial. Barrymore, with a bit of class and humor, makes the movie and all its eccentricities not only barely, but great to watch. It's amazing how enjoyable this movie truly was.
Candy R

Drew and Britney are two teenagers who get pregnant and married. The rest of their friends go to college. Drew always wanted to go to college and be a writer. Her husband is a drug addict and she asks him to leave her and their son. She recents her son and they have a strained… More
Drew and Britney are two teenagers who get pregnant and married. The rest of their friends go to college. Drew always wanted to go to college and be a writer. Her husband is a drug addict and she asks him to leave her and their son. She recents her son and they have a strained relationship. Good cast. Based on true story.
Lafe F

Here's another great Drew Barrymore movie, about a mother trying to raise her son normal despite social, domestic and economic odds. Amidst the difficulties, Beverly (Drew Barrymore) keeps a good spirit and not let herself be totally crushed. It feels real enough, and manages to… More
Here's another great Drew Barrymore movie, about a mother trying to raise her son normal despite social, domestic and economic odds. Amidst the difficulties, Beverly (Drew Barrymore) keeps a good spirit and not let herself be totally crushed. It feels real enough, and manages to entertain and keep a positive light during the awkward events, thanks to a well-written script, Penny Marshall's fun direction, and the great dialogue and performances. I enjoyed watching it.
Jennifer D

I can't remember much about this film. I remember kinda liking it, but not overly in love.
Cassandra M

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… More
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 and 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.
Anthony L

This is a pretty good film, not the usual chick flick I was expecting. It?s one of Drew Barrymore?s best performances!
Craig S

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… More
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 through 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.
Rachel F

Great movie. Its sad but Drew Barrymore is great.
Dean M

Unbelievable this true story of Beverly Donofrio's life is full of funny story than drama that I really like it.
Sanjaya &

Well... good drama... The story is meanful.. Even that, this movie is quite boring...
Jason S

Eh.
Leigh R

Pretty good film.
Deb S

Drew Barrymore plays Beverley Donofrio, who falls pregnant at 15 years of age and has her dreams of college and becoming a writer shattered. Her father is ashamed and angry with her so she reluctantly marries the baby's father, Raymond Hasek played by Steve Zahn after the attempt… More
Drew Barrymore plays Beverley Donofrio, who falls pregnant at 15 years of age and has her dreams of college and becoming a writer shattered. Her father is ashamed and angry with her so she reluctantly marries the baby's father, Raymond Hasek played by Steve Zahn after the attempt to throw herself down the stairs didn't work. Bev still desires to finish high school and attend college but she is forced to put those goals aside because Ray is a heroin junkie who messes up her life from the time she meets him until the time she lets him go. Great acting by Drew Barrymore and Steve Zahn who deliver incredibly realistic performances! All the supporting actors including Lorraine Bracco as Bev's mother, Brittany Murphy as best friend Fay and James Woods playing Bev's disappointed father give really good performances as well .
Mike T

This is a film that tries hard to be charming and moving, but it was neither for me. Weakly acted by everyone aside from Zahn, Woods and Bracco and lacking in originality, this is a dull and cliche-ridden drama-comedy.
Joey N

Drew is adorable, but this is sort of ridiculous. The scenes with her son should never have been filmed. Compared to In Her Shoes, this is an example of a chick flick that does not know its place.
Daniel P

Probably Drew Barrymore's best performance so far. Great cast.
Juli R

A lot of what happens to you in life is chance. The other half is how it affects you.
Erin C

I loved this! It was hilarious and touching. It had its sad moments, but it is one of my new favorites!
Sunil J

Drew Barrymore is maybe a little too dark of a mom in this movie based on a memoir but I very much enjoy everyone in this movie.