Riding in Cars with Boys (2002, DVD)

This is the heart-warming, tear-jerking, yet still comical tale of a young girl named Beverly growing up during the 1950s; a time when sexual promiscuity was forbidden and, should an "accident" occur, the young couple wed right away.

And that is what happens when Beverly meets Ray. Forced to put aside her dreams of college and becoming a writer, Beverly and Ray wed and then along comes Jason, their son. Beverly finds herself still holding on to her dreams while trying to tame Ray into fatherhood and raise her baby boy. Needless to say, the marriage does last but your children are always your children; thus the story focuses on Beverly and Jason.

Anyone who has had a child at a young age, wed or unwed, can relate to this tale of lost dreams and life's struggles told from Jason's point of view. Essentially, it is the tale of how young mothers and their offspring grow-up together; how they depend on and learn from one another.

To me, the most touching part of this movie came with the confrontation between Beverly and grown-up Jason soon after Jason sees his father, Ray, after many years of absence from his life. I won't spoil it telling what occurs, but it is the most truthful yet touching part of the movie.

Definitely a chick flick. Guys won't get it under any circumstance. Ladies, save it for a night that you need to laugh through tears.

i thought this was a very honest movie in really happens in true life and not alot of ppl have the courage to write a book about it.

I love the movie. Drew Barrymore did a great job playing Beverly at all the different ages. and the DVD was very good quality. I highly recommend it.

I decided to buy it because my previous copy of it had been lost. I love this movie and that's about that.

This is an excellent movie! I bought this because my first copy got scratched after being watched too many times! It is a movie that transcends generations and is easy to relate to for many people in many different types of situations. It tells the story of a girl being raised in the 50's who gets pregnant at 15 years old. After being pressured into getting married, she struggles along with her new husband in caring for the baby while trying to make it through school. The movie takes the watcher through the 50's, 60's, 70's and 80's with the family, dealing with issues of drug use, financial issues, and single parenting along the way.

Flashback to Connecticut, 1961. Beverly¹s (Drew Barrymore) pre-adolescent existence is chock-full of the promise of discovery and young love. As a precocious 15-year old, Bev dates and gets knocked up by thick-as-a-plank Raymond (Steve Zahn). Her dreams of college and short-story writing shatter when her parents (Lorraine Bracco and James Woods) insist she marry the loveable loser.

Beverly is far from the perfect wife and mother. She resents her son Jason (played by a growing series of adorable child actors), pines for her lost youth, and takes exception to the lifestyle that Ray offers her with his half-hearted toiling as carpet-layer and air-repair man.
A series of keen disappointments, including a pivotal failure at landing an important scholarship (facilitated by Ray's absentmindedness), send the marriage into a death spiral. Bev insists that Ray be gone -- forever -- so that she and Jason can have a shot at pursuing "her" dreams.

Played in a series of flashbacks, Bev and Jason (Jason grown up) take a road trip as the movie tells the story... This comedy-drama is a rough combination of highs and lows, based on the time period and the on screen histrionics. The longevity of Beverly's closest friendship is a warm counterpart to the sordid nature of a junkie spouse and a consistent theme of maternal child neglect.

I thought this movie was painful, wonderful and real, shows you how someones life can changed due to being young and stupid!
A must see for the avid movie goer!!

I love this movie. I remember the first time i watched it we thought that she was his Girlfriend instead of the mom, and i loved how they went through the whole life story what an awesome movie.. im not sure if it was really a book. Maybe i'll check it out :)

Heard this was a cute but true to life movie. And it was. I have enjoyed watching it and have passed it to friends to watch.