Boys on the Side (1995)

Robin shares a ride in her car with Jane from New York to Los Angeles. They stop at Jane's friend Holly's place in Pittsburgh and take her with them west, making a long stop in Tucson. The three very different women become close friends.

Director:

Herbert Ross

Writer:

Don Roos

Stars:

Whoopi Goldberg, Mary-Louise Parker, Drew Barrymore

1 win & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Whoopi Goldberg	...	Jane
Mary-Louise Parker	...	Robin
Drew Barrymore	...	Holly
Matthew McConaughey	...	Abe
James Remar	...	Alex
Billy Wirth	...	Nick
Anita Gillette	...	Elaine
Dennis Boutsikaris	...	Massarelli
Estelle Parsons	...	Louise
Amy Aquino	...	Anna
Stan Egi	...	Henry
Stephen Gevedon	...	Johnny Figgis / Jane's Band
Amy Ray	...	Indigo Girl
Emily Saliers	...	Indigo Girl
Jude Ciccolella	...	Jerry

Storyline

Jane is a night club singer out of work. Robin is a quirky real estate agent looking for a ride-share to accompany her to Los Angeles. Her advertisement is answered by Jane, who at first was uncertain about her. A stop in Pittsburgh picks up a third, Holly, escaping a violent and drug dealing partner. Girls on the road, reaching understanding, respect, and care for each other. But this trio is different - Jane a lesbian, Robin suffering with AIDS, Holly running from her past, seeking one night stands, and a good man.

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Plot Keywords:

lesbian | female protagonist | terminal illness | domestic violence | abusive boyfriend | 

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Taglines:

A motion picture that celebrates the art of survival, the gift of laughter and the miracle of friendship.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong language and some sexuality

Did You Know?

Trivia

Holly calls her baby girl Mary Todd, which makes her full name: Mary Todd Lincoln. This is a reference to Mary Todd Lincoln, who was married to Abraham Lincoln.

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Goofs

When the doctor is talking to Jane after Robin is rushed to the hospital, she says that Robin is "going to the eighth floor". But exterior shots of the same hospital throughout the film show that it is only about four stories high.

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Quotes

Elaine: [referring to Holly and Abe] So what? She still should grab him. Believe me I know what she's gonna have to go through. You know, I'm a feminist too. I was a single mother after your father left. You think that was easy? I even voted for Carter twice. But you can't fight nature. God knows, you girls keep trying. Treating your men like side dishes. Stick a fork in when needed-just like men used to treat us.

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Connections

Referenced in 3rd Rock from the Sun: Dick-In-Law (1997)

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Soundtracks

Mellow Yellow
Written by Donovan (as Donovan Leitch)
Performed by Tito and the Teatro Carmens

User Reviews

Sooooo chick-flick

Count the chick-flick conventions: The revenge on the abusive boyfriend; the three so-different young women bonding; the mother-daughter conflicts; the road trip; the scene where somebody sings "Happy Birthday" to somebody amid much general rejoicing; the adorable baby; the tear-wringing incurable-disease character; etc. It's well-written -- Don Roos, who later wrote the superb screenplay to "The Opposite of Sex," puts more curve on his dialog than most toiling in this genre -- but as with many sisters-united-in-adversity epics, it keeps wanting to yank emotions out of you rather than earn them honestly. The three leads are good, a young Matthew McConnaughey isn't yet annoying, and there are nice turns from Estelle Parsons and Anita Gillette, a Broadway baby decades earlier who matured into a proficient character actress. But Herb Ross is in his take-no-chances mode, and too much of the picture feels programmed and rote.

Details

Country:

USA France

Language:

English

Release Date:

3 February 1995 (USA)

Also Known As:

Boys on the Side

Filming Locations:

Teatro Carmen, Tucson, Arizona, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$21,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$4,808,873, 5 February 1995

Gross USA:

$23,440,188

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$23,440,188

Company Credits

Production Co:

Alcor Films, Canal+, Hera Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

115 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR SDDS Dolby DTS

Color:

Color (DuArt) Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

2.39 : 1