Riding in Cars with Boys

Graduation, college, New York City . . . baby? This wasn't in the plan for Beverly Donofrio. "Riding in Cars with Boys" follows the story of a young woman whose life takes a detour, and she must meet challenges that she never expected to face.

Beverly (Drew Barrymore) is a 15-year-old living in Connecticut in the 1960s, who can't wait to move to the big city of New York and become a writer. One night, she and best friend Fay (Brittany Murphy) go to a party where the handsome high school quarterback is rumored to be at. When Beverly, or Bev, confronts the high school hunk and tells him that she has feelings for him, he humiliates her and sends her crying to the bathroom. There she ends up meeting Ray (Steve Zahn), a friendly but troubled guy who is a high school dropout. Later that night, with Bev in the front seat of the car with Ray and Fay in the back seat with her boyfriend, the two couples begin to steam up the windows. Weeks later, Bev finds out that she is pregnant. Not wanting to give up her dreams, she decides not to marry Ray, until her embarrassed, once-proud father (James Woods) insists she should. Now married, Bev has to say good-bye to her dreams for now, and over the years must take care of her son, Jason, and husband, Ray, who turns out not to be the prince charming she envisioned herself marrying. Along for the ride, however, is Fay, who wound up pregnant as well and provides Bev with love and support. Despite all the hardships of motherhood, drug use by her husband and lack of money, Beverly forms a life that turns out to be more of an adventure than she ever imagined.

Based on a true story, this films provides remarkable insight into a young woman's world of teenage motherhood in the 1960s. During this period in time, if you got pregnant, you got married, and you had to put all your dreams and wishes aside for the sake of your family. Bev never saw herself as a parent, and she somehow must rise to the occasion and be a mom. It's not easy for Bev, and this is very relatable to the audience because motherhood is not easy. Some people expect picture-perfect mothers, all cheery and blemish-free, ready with dinner on the stove in a spick-and-span home, and people expected this out of women even more in the 1960s. These "Stepford Wives" women don't exist. Mothers aren't perfect, and this film isn't shy about showing that, and, as an audience member, I appreciate that. I appreciate the reality of the story. Despite her imperfections, Bev loves her son and, in the film, she learns how to share her life and dreams with someone else.

Drew Barrymore, who plays Beverly, portrays the character beautifully. She was close to the real Beverly Donofrio during filming, and Barrymore completely absorbed herself into the character. What intrigues me the most is how Barrymore's acting changes as the character of Bev ages. Throughout the film, the character of Bev spanned the ages of 15 to 35. Makeup and clothing, of course, helps create this illusion of aging, but the acting truly makes the difference. Playing a 15-year-old, Barrymore acts loud, immature and whiney and as a 35-year-old, Barrymore acts more serious and wiser. This really sells the audience on the different stages of Beverly.

I would recommend this film to women of any age. The film shows the audience that detours in life happen, but if you set your mind to a goal and work really hard, your dreams will come true, and you'll have the added life experience to accompany you.