Riding in Cars with Boys (2001)

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.

Director:

Penny Marshall

Writers:

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

Stars:

Drew Barrymore, Steve Zahn, Adam Garcia

2 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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

Storyline

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 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...

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Plot Keywords:

boy | writer | college | party | working class | 

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Taglines:

The story of a girl who did everything wrong, but got everything right.

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Genres:

Biography | Comedy | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

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

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

19 October 2001 (USA)

Also Known As:

Los chicos de mi vida

Filming Locations:

New Jersey, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$48,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

£237,279 (UK) (7 December 2001)

Gross:

£671,549 (UK) (21 December 2001)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Pictures, Gracie Films, Parkway Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

132 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Christina Ricci was considered for the role of Beverly D'Onofrio.

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Goofs

When Fay and Bev change dresses in the car, the bodice of the dress that Fay is wearing is different from the bodice of the dress that Bev is wearing at the party.

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Quotes

Mr. Leonard Donofrio: I'm telling you nicely, you're too young.
Beverly (Age 11): Pop, you can't negotiate my boobs. Whether I'm too young to have 'em or not, I got 'em. I'm a woman. It's just hard to see it through all these clothes.
Mr. Leonard Donofrio: Quiet! The answer is no. Keep your mind on books, not boys.
Jason: [narrating] This is why therapists are wealthy, moments like this. Why didn't he just get her the bra? It's certainly cheaper than a bicycle. Ah, parents and the damage they can do. Sometimes it's endless. But she survived. You know what they ...

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Connections

References Bunny Lake Is Missing (1965)

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Soundtracks

"I Got You (I Feel Good)"
Written and Performed by James Brown

User Reviews

A Funny Yet Sad Movie.

This movie is about Beverly Donofrio (Drew Barrymore) who's life is messed up when she gets pregnant from Ray Hasek (Steve Zahn). Now, Bev's life is turned upside down. She tries to get through the hard time while her best friend Fay (Brittany Murphy) sticks by her side. Her mother (Lorraine Bracco) and Father (James Woods) are very disappointed in her, and now she has decided to marry Ray. Sit back and listen to Beverly tell the story of her troubled life, where she finally found peace.

This was a great movie. It was really sad too. This was a good girl's movie, but also would be enjoyable to guys like me. I give Riding In Cars With Boys an 8 out of 10! :)