RIDING IN CARS WITH BOYS

2001

Remember those Afternoon Specials on TV? Well, if you think of this film as one of the best of those, then you won't be misled or disappointed. Writer/"actress" Beverly Donofrio has purged herself of the guilt of being a miserable mother, by writing a book about it. The moral of the book and movie is, if you're fifteen and you get knocked up (as they used to say in my day,) you'd better be mature, responsible, with a great guy to marry you, and a family to support you...and some money wouldn't hurt either. Miss Donofrio had none of these. The resulting story is at times heart-breaking, hilarious, touching, cruel, and entertaining. A well-written script, and some very fine acting on the part of Drew Barrymore, Steve Zahn, James Woods, Lorraine Bracco, etc. makes the film seem to be more of a voyeuristic experience, than a movie. The Italian-American wedding-reception scene alone is worth the admission price. I must have travelled in the wrong circles because I never attended such an hilariously low-class tasteless affair. Maybe it's not too late.

4 Stars

NJB