Davis P Boys on the side (1995) is a film that I really enjoy. It has so much heart, it's very emotional and sentimental. I like what you might call "sappy" films sometimes, they just fill me up, heavy dramas are necessary at times. There is heavy emotional drama here, and there's also some good well done comedic relief worked in a few parts too. The cast really lifts this film up. Whoopi Goldberg, Mary Louise Parker, and Drew Barrymore all turn in fine performances here, Goldberg and Parker especially. I don't wanna discount or belittle Barrymore's acting here, it's just that the other two main stars had more to work with content wise. They also had a lot of well done scenes that emphasized both their acting skills and the great onscreen chemistry they shared. The writing is overall pretty well done. I loved the dialogue between Parker and Goldberg, their whole subplot together was just really well done. It brought a lot more meaning to the film as a whole. You'll definitely walk away from this one feeling heavy. It's just that kind of film, but it's good that i felt that way because that just means that everything the filmmakers were trying to do worked. I do suggest this emotional female friendship drama, it's one that will make you cry and feel happy at the same time. 8/10.

pik923 Start with the cast - wonderful. From Whoopi Goldberg, Mary Louise Parker, Drew Barrymore - that's just for starters - a solid cast. Each one holds her own and rounds out the character with humor, sensitivity and a truthfulness. The script - good solid script - the director - Herbert Ross - he knew how to tell a story. And don't forget the soundtrack - love the music!Add to that one of the first scripts that looked at AIDS from the eyes of women. Not just a straight woman, but also a gay woman. How the characters both men and women deal with the issue, which is usually for Hollywood and the motion picture world, a male issue (the only other film I can immediately refer to as an AIDS film relating to women is the HBO film GIA).I highly recommend the film for all audiences - including teenagers. It deals with many delicate issues with great warmth, love, trust, humor and truthfulness.Thank you for this little gem!

George Attwood BOYS ON THE SIDE **** Herbert Ross's last work, 'Boys On The Side' tells a unique, special story of the bonds between three women as they take a cross-country drive, end up in Nevado, and struggle through hardships, progressively developing in their character. Don Roos's screenplay is coherent and strong enough to make the transitions between the story's funny and dramatic moments smooth and generally effective for that matter. It's moral grounds are a bit too liberalized for my taste.Rating System***** Excellent **** Good *** Fair ** Poor * Bad

George Parker "Boys on the Side" tells of an unlikely trio of females who take a road trip and discover each has issues which require the support of the others. Thus forms the glue which holds together Goldberg, Parker, and Barrymore and the conglomeration of characters which coalesce around them in this sentimental tale with humor, charm, and poignancy and its share of sappy, weepy, and corny moments. Worthy of being labeled a "chick flick", "Boys..." makes for an entertaining watch for females...and their boys on the side.