Boys on the Side

I LOVE this movie. It's touching, funny, sad, heartbreaking and inspiring all in one. I found Mary-Louise Parker's character so like myself that it was hilarious! Drew Barrymore, lovely as ever in her role, provided the much-needed sparkle to the movie. Some parts were a lot sadder and more sinister than others, but Drew was always there to bring the sunshine!

It's so touching, it makes me cry every time. But I love it. It's not perfect by any means, but it's definitely one to watch with the girls. Boys are on the side.

Absorbing, funny and incredibly aware comedy-drama about three ladies on a road trip: Whoopi Goldberg as a lesbian lounge singer, Drew Barrymore as a pregnant, unmarried waif, and Mary-Louise Parker as an uptight woman trying to loosen up (and suffering from HIV). Plot is contrived, but the interaction between the characters is definitely not. Screenwriter Don Roos writes vivid dialogue and touching scenes, and the cast plays it to the hilt. Barrymore is at her best here, Goldberg is outstanding, and Parker--while not a varied actress--does solid work. Nice direction by Herbert Ross, who hasn't been this focused in years. ***1/2 from ****

This was one of my favorite "chick flicks" when I first saw it. Yesterday I watched it again and after all those years, 25, it still holds up with a lot of truth and sincerity. The entire cast are all at their best, the subject matter still very relevant. It's one of those timeless movies that shows love in all aspects of the word. It also has quite a few belly laughs mixed in with tense moments and yes, a tear jerker. You won't regret watching this movie...a hidden gem.

Drew Barrymore really makes this movie what it is as the dizzy (blonde of course) Holly, with her fresh and upbeat view on life. The faces which Barrymore pulls to dramatize her part will keep you laughing (e.g whilst on the Greyhound bus, whilst in labor). Moreover, this film shows that Barrymore can not only play the slutty, seductive parts (e.g The Amy Fisher Story, Poison Ivy) but a role which mixes both.

What will surprise you about this comedy (and tear jerker) is that it's not as predictable as you may except. Although the story line is simple, there are always the odd parts which you don't expect. The fight at the beginning with Nick will keep you shocked and probably laughing.

It's definitely a chick flick (although the guys may drool over a blonde Barrymore.) However the actor who plays Abe Lincoln is an eye catcher.

This is not one of Whoopi Goldberg's best roles and I didn't think her part as the lesbian was believeable, yet she did display both strength and humor to keep you interested. Mary Louise Parker was excellent and her performance was on line with her part.

Definitely a movie for a Barrymore fan and if you need a heart warming movie to keep you interested at night. You go get it!

This is a deeply humanizing movie. It's about focusing on the things that bring us together, not the ones that set us apart. It presents us with three young women who could scarcely be more different, and yet they grow to really care about each other.

Everyone here has some flaw, and we are encouraged to see them as full people, not reject them. It does draw a clear line; some people you should cut out of your life. And no, it is not about us straight white men being terrible. There are positive depictions. That shouldn't matter; I don't think it's necessary. But I know some people will get very upset if they aren't reassured of this.

This is a movie that goes back and forth between being sad and funny. Some have taken issue with this and I do appreciate that sometimes it jumps too abruptly between the two. But I do think that this is a great way for many movies, perhaps most, to go about it. Real life also has us going between these extremes, and we might sometimes feel like we'll never reach the other extreme ever again. Media like this, as well as the work of Pixar and Disney animation can help reassure us that things will get better - and remind us they might also get worse. 7/10.