Customer Reviews

Boys on the Side (Widescreen/Full Screen)

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

i'll admit it, i only saw this movie in the theater when it was released because i knew that the indigo girls had a few scenes in it. but when i am not just watching my copy for the indigo girls' bar scene, it is a really great movie and a lot more progressive than most "mainstream" movies out there. it brings three very different women together -- one lesbian, one victim of abuse, and one living with AIDS. the movie chronicles their friendship and how they overcame their own prejudices to better understand each other. though some of the movie is very cliche, all in all it's a pretty good flick.

for all you other indigo girls fans out there: watch for amy ray at the end of the flick as well. ;)

Herbert Ross' "Boys on the Side" is a road trip film with a different perspective. In the cinematic world, the road trip film typically revolves around a gang of friends who hit the road hoping to find their true calling along the way. There are highs and lows during this voyage of discovery, but ultimately matters end on a generally positive note. Not so with this film. "Boys on the Side" is a road trip film with such a depressing low at its conclusion that any joy found along the way is seriously muted.

Jane Deluca (Whoopi Goldberg) decides to head west after she loses her job in New York. She hooks up with Robin (Mary-Louise Parker) who is heading the same way and wants to share the driving with someone else. The pair picks up a third traveler in Pittsburgh when Jane's friend Holly Pulchik (Drew Barrymore) joins the westward trek in order to escape her abusive boyfriend Nick (Billy Wirth). Along the way there are a series of revelations with one in particular leading to a painful loss.

"Boys on the Side" is a film with the dramatic twists and turns of a soap opera. However, it fares much better in comparison because of the higher quality of acting and the more mature approach to the material. The whimsical interaction between the three women is a joy to watch as Goldberg, Parker, and Barrymore light up the screen from start to finish. Parker's performance is especially powerful and will most likely be the one aspect of the film that will continue to linger in your thoughts after it concludes. "Boys on the Side" is about the strong bond of friendship and how this strong bond helps friends to deal with the sad realization that life is difficult and unfair. It is not the easiest film to sit through but it is a rewarding experience for those that manage to do so.

This review refers to the WB/Regency DVD edition of "Boys on the Side".....

"Sometimes...if you don't have anyplace to go, it's probably best to stay where you are" is one of Whoopi Goldberg's bits of wisdom in this film. So that's what they did....

Two strangers, women who couldn't be more different then night and day begin on a journey that will take them places far better than their intended destination. A journey of life, discovery and a friendship that knows no bounds is what unfolds in this wonderful story.

The journey begins in New York. Jane(Whoopi Goldberg) and Robin(Mary-Louise Parker),both for their own reasons want to start a new life. Looking to share a ride to California, they meet and agree to make the trip together,even though from the outset it's obvious these two woman have nothing in common.When they hit Pittsburg, Jane stops in on good friend Holly(Drew Barrymore). There's trouble amiss in Holly's life though, her drug-dealing boyfriend is abusing her.The girl's take matters into thier own hands and free Holly(leaving the boyfriend tied up and injured), grab her and take her along with them.On the road with them we come to realize each has a secret of their own. As their stories unfold, these three very different woman become close and are there to help each other at any costs.The become their own little family. Men, as Robin's mother puts it,"are merely side dishes, you girls stick your fork in, when you want a taste."

It's not just a story for women though. It's a story of bonding. Sharing one's own strengths with the people you are close to. It's an emotional roller coaster, you'll need the kleenex for this one!(But there's lots of laughs as well).If you like "Terms of Endearment", you'll love this one.It's a story from the heart that will touch your soul.

The casting of the three stars is a stroke of genius. Goldberg, Parker, and Barrymore have a connection to each other that is a joy to watch.They put THEIR hearts and souls into this film. The supporting cast includes Anita Gillete, Estelle Parsons and Matthew McConaughey(who is just so,... well Matthew McConaughey).
The music is as much a part of the story as the characters and is excellent with songs by Bonnie Raitt, Melissa Etheridge,Pretenders,Sheryl Crow, and Whoopie herself does some singing.Oh and don't forget to see whose band is playing in "The Cantina".

The DVD is as beautiful as the movie. A sharp clear picture( a little dark in some places but nothing to distract from the enjoyment of the film),nice colors, and great sound(Dolby stereo surround)is what you'll find. You have the choice of widescreen or a standard format. There are no special features(might have been nice to have a music video with all this great music), but there are subtitiles in English and French and may be viewed in those languages as well.

So get the popcorn, Kleenex, and maybe a side of Brad Pitt ready for this one.....enjoy..Laurie

A mix of complex characters, believable in their actions and reactions, builds a powerful experience of the lives of three unique women. I espicially like the tension of unspoken love between the lesbian character (Whoopie Goldberg) and the frail young woman trying to find some joy in a hard life. The cameo by the Indigo Girls is a special bonus!
Get together some close girlfriends and some kleenex and enjoy!

Mary-Louise Parker is phenomenal as the pill-popping neurotic realtor that puts in a classified ad for a traveling comanion on her trek to the west coast. The one who answers her ad is a dred-lock-wearing black lesbian (played masterfully by Whoopi Goldberg)... and both are a little startled by each other and how contrasting their lives are. Parker is slightly horrified that her traveling companion is gay and Goldberg is very horrified that she's going to be trapped in a car for over a week with this psycho, anal woman.

Goldberg's character makes a quick diversion to visit a friend (Drew Barrymore) and a crazy turn of events puts Barrymore in the van with Goldberg and Parker.

The three of them all have skeletons in their closets and all sorts of emotional baggage that they have not dealt with, much less shared with anyone else. This dynamic mix of diverse personalities is first a cauldron of irritation, frustration and prejudices, but together the women face some crazy circumstances that bring them together.

It turns out they all have much more in common than they realized. There are very touching scenes where only the most stone-hearted individual will not feel a crack in their throat... and there are scenes that will make you laugh so hard, you might just lose bladder control.

Themes include family, loyalty, race, bigotry, domestic violence, unrequited love, romance, loss, terminal illness and death. This may seem like a lot of themes for just one movie, but the film is so real, you feel like you're one of the girls in the van, hanging out with them. They become your friends and you quickly bond with them. The film was directed by Herbert Ross who is known for directing "Steel Magnolias." This film is just as powerful, if not more so.

My less than perfect rating is due to the lack of extras on the DVD. How about interviews with the director and the cast? Trailers? Music video of the Indigo Girls (they had cameos in this film)? It is very unfortunate that no effort was made to make this a DVD worthwhile getting in lieu of VHS.

In spite of the DVD's shortcomings, the film itself is fantastic and I recommend it highly. Domestic violence, mature themes and language make this not suitable for kids.

Great DVD. But what is missing is the Auto Commenty and the Delated Scenes. I hope the makers of "Boys on the Side" will think about releashing an new "Boys on the Side" DVD with; the auto commenty, delated scenes, cast bios, trivia, the making of the movie. (They did that with "Little Women" hopefully they will do that with "Boys on the Side">.

It is a "chick flick" but a wonderful put together chick flick!!! Three women travel out from the East Coast area to the West Coast. As other reviewers have pointed out, one happens to be a straight woman with HIV, another one is a black lesbian and the third one is a white young woman who is pregnant by who? we don't know.

They bond and connect because in the process of going to the West coast, they have a confrontation with one of the woman's boyfriends.

The movie is very moving and very touching. And it will surely make you cry. It's about friendships...women friendships!! Through thick and thin they can really depend on each other. If you like movies that make you laugh, smile and cry than I recommend the movie. If you like a movie like Beaches (with Bette Midler and Barbara Hershey)-than you'll enjoy this one!!

The best thing about this movie is that it "feels" real - Like it did or could reall happen to me or you. The fact that the caracters are lesbian is secondary to the story and the great acting performances. The actors are top rate, the setting was classic and interesting without being distracting. The movie is funny and entertaining while trying to get a serious message across without hitting you over the head. Yes that message is "you can love" even if you have AIDS and others can love you back.

This movie sounds pretty ridiculous, I admit, but now that I've seen it, I can't see it enough times. Strong performances and strong momentummake up for a few script flaws and by about 15 minutes into the movie, I forgave the little flaws in favor of the big picture. This movie is very successful in making you really care about the characters. However Be Warned: This is a CHICK FLICK!

This is a movie of three women who are searching for better lives, and while on that journey one gets ill and the other two are completely there. I wont tell all but i will say from the beginning to the end, this movie is a heartwarmer, it will make you laugh,and cry. Most importantly the characters seem real, you can see the chemistry between two of them, i have the movie, movie poster, movie cards, and the soundtrack it is my favorite movie of all time! i love it, i would strongly recommend anyone to watch it, it is a movie of friendship, love, and the hope for a better future for three women on a journey down the road of life, that leads them to Tucson Airizona.