Riding in Cars with Boys
Columbia Pictures | Release Date: October 19, 2001 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
43
METASCORE
Mixed or average reviews based on 31 Critic Reviews
Positive:
9
Mixed:
14
Negative:
8
Watch Now
Stream On
Stream On
Buy on
Stream On
Stream On
Stream On
Stream On
Expand

Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
60
The New York TimesStephen Holden
As the movie jumps back and forth in time, it displays an impressive cut-and-paste agility, skillfully interweaving humor and drama without tipping over into farce or soap opera. Read full review
58
Entertainment WeeklyLisa Schwarzbaum
When Barrymore finally gets mean, the movie finally gets good. Then comes another sing-along, dammit. Read full review
50
Film ThreatMichael Dequina
Whatever distinguished "Riding in Cars with Boys" the book certainly doesn't show up in the movie. Read full review
50
New York PostJonathan Foreman
A messy, woefully uneven chick flick. Read full review
50
Austin ChronicleMarjorie Baumgarten
An article of faith for girls who just wanna have fun; only problem is that the movie doesn't go all the way. Read full review
50
New York Daily NewsJami Bernard
Needs someone to roll down a window and let in some fresh air. Read full review
50
Chicago ReaderLisa Alspector
It's a bitter story played for humor, in which a callous character is never quite allowed to see herself as such. Read full review
50
Miami HeraldConnie Ogle
What's lacking is any sense of Beverly's brightness. She's supposedly smart, but she never displays a shred of intelligence. Read full review
42
Portland OregonianKim Morgan
It's Zahn who truly conveys what Marshall and Barrymore are going for -- laughing through your tears. Read full review
40
L.A. WeeklyChuck Wilson
In many ways, Marshall and Barrymore are an equal match -- while both have a flair for the small touches that build a good comic scene, each lacks the complex layering of motive and emotion that make a human life believably real. Read full review
40
Wall Street JournalJoe Morgenstern
It's as if the filmmakers, having committed themselves to the book, fled from its essence, which is wildness.
40
New York Magazine (Vulture)Peter Rainer
Thank God for Barrymore: When Beverly's water breaks and she looks down at her feet and cries, "This is so gross," you know how good this actress can be, and how good this movie might have been. Read full review
40
TV Guide MagazineSteve Simels
Added bonuses: A nice selection of oldies on the soundtrack, and an amusing third-act cameo by Rosie Perez as Ray's second wife. Read full review
40
VarietyRobert Koehler
The result under Penny Marshall's direction is a film with genuinely serious intentions that falls considerably short of its intentions. Read full review
More From This Movie

43 Critic Reviews

7.7 User Reviews

Details & Credits|Trailers

Current Movie Releases
By MetascoreBy User Score
1 77 Project Hail Mary
2 75 Send Help
3 73 Hoppers
4 72 The Sheep Detectives
5 63 Normal
SEE ALL
Essential Links
New on Amazon Prime Video
New on Netflix
Coming Soon to DVD/Blu-ray
SEE ALL