Riding the Bus with My Sister

2005

Riding the Bus with My Sister

Critics Consensus

No consensus yet.

Tomatometer
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TOMATOMETER

Total Count: N/A

54%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 546

Riding the Bus with My Sister Photos

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Movie Info

Based on a true story, this "Hallmark Hall of Fame" TV movie was produced by Rosie O'Donnell, who also stars as the profoundly mentally challenged Beth Simon. When Beth's father dies, her sister, Rachel (Andie MacDowell), a brittle, self-absorbed fashion photographer, takes charge of Beth -- who, having been allowed to grow up without learning anything of self-discipline and social propriety, is no prize herself. Though she loves her sister, Rachel is embarrassed by Beth's obnoxious, obstreperous behavior, especially when riding the bus, which she does religiously and obsessively every day, much to the dismay of the other passengers. (Be warned: this is not one of those lachrymose "lovable handicapped adult" movies so common to network television.) Also, Beth has been allowed by her overindulgent father to neglect her health and hygiene in a deplorable fashion. Gradually, the two sisters connect and manage to profoundly change one another. Those viewers and critics who condemned Rosie O'Donnell for her abrasive, over-the-top portrayal of Beth were generally those who had had little contact with genuine handicapped people; conversely, those who had such people in their own families, or who had worked extensively with them professionally, applauded O'Donnell for her disturbingly accurate performance. Adapted from the book by the real-life Rachel Simon (actually an English professor and not a photographer), Riding the Bus with My Sister was telecast by CBS on May 1, 2005.

Rating:

NR
Genre:

Drama, Television
Directed By:

Anjelica Huston
Written By:

Joyce Eliason
In Theaters:

May 1, 2005 wide
Runtime:

120 minutes
Studio:

Blue Ridge Motion Pictures

Cast

Rosie O'Donnell
as Beth

Andie MacDowell
as Rachel

Richard T. Jones
as Jesse

D.W. Moffett
as Rick

Jazzmin Parker
as Young Beth

Emily Swiss
as Young Rachel

Peter Cockett
as Sam

Britney Lebel
as Teen Beth

Roberta Maxwell
as Valerie

Mallory Margel
as Teen Rachel

Tom Barnett
as Bobby

Stephanie Morgenstern
as Olivia

Charles Officer
as Xavier

Shauna MacDonald
as Nona

Raven Dauda
as Shane

Simon Reynolds
as Morris

Vijay Mehta
as Pradlip

Jayne Eastwood
as Estella

Angelo Tsarouchas
as Mean Eugene

Allegra Fulton
as Vera

Boyd Banks
as Henry

Vijaya Mehta
as Pradlip

Stephanie Morganstern
as Olivia

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Critic Reviews for Riding the Bus with My Sister

There are no critic reviews yet for Riding the Bus with My Sister. Keep checking Rotten Tomatoes for updates!

Audience Reviews for Riding the Bus with My Sister

Mar 29, 2015

This could have been so much better. Rosie o'Donnell was great in her role, but the rest of the cast was lacking.

Erin C Super Reviewer
May 05, 2011

Riding the bus with my sister is about all the problems that come with being mentally disabled, not being accepted by family and public. Beth rides the buses to help her cope with her disalibty. Her family does not want anything to o with her. After her father dies the other siblings were face with hard fact that will take care of Beth. Over time her sister Rachel tried to help Beth out but after a big fight it totally look like that the relationship was done for good. Will the sisters stay together or go their separate ways, Pros Good acting and plot. Eyed opener on what it is like to have a disability and the problems that come with it. I liked the big community that Beth has. I liked how the bus drivers thrown Beth a birthday party. It really hit home for me because it reminds me about my disalibty. This is a really moving film Con It starts out slow This is a true drama but it has a coupe of laughs. This film can be really sad at times. If u like dramas or true stories u should give this a try.

erika b Super Reviewer
Jan 30, 2011

It ended abruptly and is probably not something I would watch again, however, I thought Rosie did a good job portraying Beth and it was an interesting story.

Sarah P Super Reviewer
Apr 04, 2010

This daytime movie was referenced in an episode of the Gilmore Girls. Lorelai's description of it sums up how awesome it is: "Rosie O'Donnell plays a retarded woman who's obsessed with riding the bus and Andie MacDowell is her uptight, big city sister. And it gets better. In the ads I saw, the Rosie character was calling herself the Sheriff, and she was bragging about her sex life, and buying toilet seats. And Anjelica Huston directed it."

Robert F Super Reviewer