Hammerman Ikon

Hammerman Ikon Film Guide

Riding in Cars with Boys
2001
**
Director: Penny Marshall
Cast: Drew Barrymore, Steve Zahn, Brittany Murphy, James Woods, Adam Garcia

Drew Barrymore is a talented comedienne, but her limitations as a dramatic actress become apparent (she seems unable to keep a straight face) in this story about a girl whose dream of a writing career is shattered by an unexpected pregnancy at fifteen. The film is based on the memoir of Beverly D'Onofrio, but her life oddly follows the highs and lows of a standard issue Hollywood script. And it's pretty obvious from the word go that she will eventually become a writer.