Riding in Cars with Boys (2001)

Director:

Penny Marshall

Writers (WGA):

Beverly D'Onofrio (book)
Morgan Ward (screenplay)

Release Date:

19 October 2001 (USA)

Genre:

Biography | Comedy | Drama

Tagline:

Based on a true story.

Plot:

A single mother, with dreams of becoming a writer, has a son at the age of 15 in 1965, and goes through a failed marriage with the drug-addicted father.

Plot Keywords:

College | Party | Working Class | Heroin | Single Mother

Awards:

2 wins & 2 nominations

Cast

Drew Barrymore	...	Beverly Donofrio
Steve Zahn	...	Ray Hasek
Adam Garcia	...	Jason
Brittany Murphy	...	Fay Forrester
James Woods	...	Mr. Leonard Donofrio
Lorraine Bracco	...	Mrs. Teresa Donofrio
Rosie Perez	...	Shirley Perro
Sara Gilbert	...	Tina Barr
Peter Facinelli	...	Tommy Butcher
Mika Boorem	...	Beverly Donofrio - Age 11
Celine Marget	...	Janet Donofrio - Age 8
Vincent Pastore	...	Uncle Lou
Maryann Urbano	...	Aunt Ann
Alissa Dean	...	Townie Girl #1
Jessica Leshnower	...	Townie Girl #2

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for thematic elements, drug and sexual content.

Runtime:

132 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

Malaysia:U | Iceland:12 | Portugal:M/12 | Argentina:13 | Australia:M | Canada:PG | Finland:K-11 | Germany:6 | Hungary:14 | Netherlands:AL | Norway:11 | Philippines:PG-13 | Singapore:PG | South Korea:15 | Spain:13 | Sweden:7 | UK:12 | USA:PG-13

Filming Locations:

Bloomfield, New Jersey, USA

Company:

Gracie Films

Trivia:

When the rights were purchased in 1989 by James L. Brooks, Debra Winger and Cher were considered for the lead.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Ray is teaching Jason to knock over cans with stones, there is a wet patch on his jeans which disappears and reappears between shots.

Quotes:

Tina Barr: Are we invited to this party?
Beverly: They're Fay's friends.
Fay: They're not. My parents are friends with their parents.
Beverly: What's important is that Sky Barrister will be there.
Fay: Sky has had his hands in everything you've got. And he has a ton of your poems. And does he call you once? No. Bev, you are truly a great person. But someone as conceited as Sky won't see that. Because all he can see is himself. You know I'm right.
Tina Barr: It's true, Bev.
Beverly: [pause]
[she observes Fay's dress]
Beverly: Let me wear that dress.
Fay: What?
[...]

Movie Connections:

Featured in "Biography: The Barrymores" (2004)

Soundtrack:

Evrything's Got 'Em

I enjoyed this ride

Based on the life of Beverly Donoforio, and the book with the same title,this movie was phenomenal. The 'feel good' feeling that this movie is gifted with, makes this movie a top notch drama/comedy.

This will undoubtedly be Drew Barrymoe's greatest performances. Her performance as Beverly seemed as if she was just born to play it. The way her voice, sweetness and personality blended with the character, seemed as if Drew was playing herself and not Beverly. Brittany Murphy gives a solid performance as Faye- Beverly's best friend. This movie had a great cast including Steve Zahn- who was outstanding as Ray- Beverly's drug taking husband, Adam Garcia, Maggie Gyllenhaal, James Woods, and Peter Facinelli- who all gave unforgettable heart warming performances.

The make up is also another reason for watching this- teenage,middle aged and older Beverly are all played by Drew, and it looks natural- it's same with Ray. The humour in this movie along with its drama, make this a must see for everyone. A good production.