RIDING IN CARS WITH BOYS

Riding in Cars with Boys is a moving family drama built around a clear moral premise: parental love overcomes selfishness. Drew Barrymore gives an excellent performance as Beverly, a frustrated writer whose early pregnancy, marriage, and family responsibilities change the course of her life. The film finds real emotional power in the misunderstandings and reconciliations between Beverly, her son, her father, and her husband.

The movie also treats Beverly’s career goals sympathetically, sometimes more romantically than biblically. PG-13 obscenities and profanities, mild sexual implications, and two brief drug subplots dilute its moral and redemptive elements.

Teenagers and adults can find much to appreciate here, especially in the performances and family-centered resolution. Parents should use discernment with younger viewers. For a thoughtful, well-acted family drama, this is worth the trip for teens and adults.

Beverly is a frustrated young writer whose life changes when she becomes pregnant and married at 15—in that order. Her responsibilities prevent her from going to college and pursuing her writing ambitions while she cares for her unreliable husband and precocious son, Jason.

Years later, Beverly is ready to take her book to a publisher. But Jason believes his mother may be holding him back from pursuing his own desires. Their family must face old wounds, difficult choices, and the love that connects them.

Four stars means this is an excellent film, led by a standout performance from Drew Barrymore. She convincingly plays Beverly from age 15 to age 34 or 35, moving through a wide variety of emotions and handling physical comedy as well as dramatic scenes.

The supporting cast is strong, especially Steve Zahn as Beverly’s husband, Brittany Murphy as her best friend, and James Woods as her father. Adam Garcia and Lorraine Bracco also provide solid support. Director Penny Marshall gives the comedy a lively, physical flair, while the family drama develops into a satisfying emotional resolution.

The film’s central moral idea is that parental love overcomes selfishness. It values family relationships, reconciliation, and the sacrifices parents make for their children. Beverly’s love for Jason and the continuing importance of her relationship with her father help drive the story toward resolution.

At the same time, the movie presents Beverly’s plight through a romantic, feminist worldview. It generates sympathy for her frustration when family responsibilities interfere with her goals of attending college and becoming a writer. The film recognizes her parental duties, but it does not center her life on God or Jesus Christ. Her ambitions remain focused on personal fulfillment rather than service to the Lord.

The movie contains Christian and redemptive elements, but its understanding of motherhood and career is more moral and personal than explicitly biblical. Scripture offers a higher ordering of priorities: “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness” (Matthew 6:33). The film’s family love is meaningful, but it would be stronger if that love were understood as service to God.

Riding in Cars with Boys is an excellent, compassionate drama about parental love, family misunderstandings, and reconciliation. Its romantic, feminist outlook and PG-13 content call for discernment, but teenagers and adults can find substantial value here. Our answer is clear: WORTH THE TRIP — TEENS AND ADULTS.