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) (as Morgan Upton Ward)

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 Ordioni	...	Janet Donofrio - Age 8 (as Celine Marget)
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:

single mother | writer | pregnant teenager | father daughter relationship | drug addiction | 

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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

Did You Know?

Trivia

The song when Bev is attempting to throw herself down the stairs is the same song that Brittany Murphy plays when she kills herself in Girl, Interrupted (1999). "End of the World" by Skeeter Davis.

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Goofs

When Ray teaches Jason to knock over cans with stones, a wet patch on his jeans disappears and reappears between shots.

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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?
[...]

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Connections

References Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966)

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Soundtracks

Rebel Yell
Written by Billy Idol and Steve Stevens
Performed by Billy Idol
Courtesy of Chrysalis Records
Under license from EMI-Capitol Music Special Markets
Published by Chrysalis Music o/b/o itself and Boneidol Music and WB Music Corp.

User Reviews

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.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

19 October 2001 (USA)

Also Known As:

Riding in Cars with Boys

Filming Locations:

New Jersey, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$48,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$10,404,652, 21 October 2001

Gross USA:

$30,165,536

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$35,743,308

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Pictures, Gracie Films, Parkway Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

132 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1