Davis P This Rosie O'Donnell, Andie McDowell TV movie really is very sweet and moving. The plot revolves around Beth Simon (Rosie O'Donnell) and Rachel Simon (Andie McDowell) after their father dies of a massive heart attack. Beth is mentally handicapped and lives independently but still relies on the help of her father for things like groceries. When their father passes away Rachel comes to stay with Beth for a little while to help her get on her feet. While doing that Rachel reconnects with Beth and they become closer through gaining more understanding of one another. First of all, Rosie O'Donnell is just so great in this movie! I loved her performance as Beth, she really nailed the portrayal of the mentally handicapped woman. Beth is such a great character because she is so sweet and nice to everyone in her life, well 90% of the time, and you just have to love her because she's so innocent. Andie's character Rachel is a career woman who has been pretty distant from her family in recent years. McDowell plays this role well, I liked how she portrayed Rachel. You could clearly see the pain and emotional problems she was experiencing, but you also got to see her brighten up when she is able to understand Beth and really connect with her. They have great chemistry as sisters too, they play off each other well. I loved the supporting characters here too, Jesse and Rick are great people in Beth's life and they were so likable. The dialogue between Rachel and Beth is very well written, it has moments of fun and joy and then times where it's more painful and focuses on the past pain experienced by both Beth and Rachel. This movie has its very sad moments but overall it's extremely inspiring and uplifting and I for one really really enjoyed it. Don't listen to all those bad reviews. 8/10.

jwh1962 Having read peoples comments about this film, i was dubious about paying money to see it. How pleased I am to say that i went to see it. This is a very educating film, funny, sad, moving, it has a bit of everything. The acting was superb. This is a film that everyone should try to get to see, it will open your eyes to a world unfamiliar to our own perfect worlds. Riding the bus with my sister is all about a family leading individual lives. No one has time for the others. It shows how it is possible for people to ridicule people less fortunate, and then have that turned back on them. Watch the film...I was really glad i did.

docfilmmkr I have worked with developmentally challenged children and young adults, and found Rosie O'Donnell's performance excellent. While Dustin Hoffman and Geoffrey Rush portrayed characters who were obviously handicapped, Rosie portrayed a character as we often perceive the mentally handicapped - looking "normal", and at first seeming "normal", then realizing that there is something different.Previous posts complained that they were looking for laughs, but the synopsis, trailers and excellent book by Rachel Simon promised a touching story about the relationship between two sisters. Check out http://www.rachelsimon.com.This is a network TV movie, a genre seldom equated with great film-making. Needing to sell to advertisers, Hallmark is not known for edgy, innovative films. What they promise is what they delivered in "Riding the Bus With My Sister" - a touching story simply told, that did not manipulate for sympathy, but instead sought understanding of the challenges faced by those with developmental disabilities.This film is not going to make some aspiring film student (as one post derided) a great filmmaker. It's not going to be remembered in the annals of time...but if perhaps, through the effortless and realistic portrayal of Rosie O'Donnell, it inspires you to be a bit more patient and empathetic of someone with a developmental disability, then this film will have its own very worthwhile legacy.

mollyyywood OK, this movie wasn't the best ever, but I thought it was sweet. If you were, or knew someone that was mentally retarded, you would never say anything like that. This movie was a good movie.This movie had a wonderful plot. A mean girl that learned things about her sister, and herself, just by spending time with her mentally retarded sister after their father died. It was kind of like her (Rosie O'Donald) father was her whole life. Rosie's character's sister, i don't remember her name, was a real mean woman, her boyfriend/fiancé, again i'm not sure which one is right, even left because she was such a witch, in my opinion...Well the woman learned so much and i thought that was special. This movie was good, and those who dis it are rude people that have no respect or taste for a good movie.